Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Burnout Among Medical Rescue Workers 4 Years After the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Longitudinal Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 848-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuzuru Kawashima ◽  
Daisuke Nishi ◽  
Hiroko Noguchi ◽  
Masato Usuki ◽  
Akihiro Yamashita ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and burnout 4 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake among medical rescue workers in Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs).MethodsWe examined participants’ background characteristics, prior health condition, rescue work experiences, and the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) score at 1 month after the earthquake. Current psychological condition was assessed by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised and Maslach Burnout Inventory administered 4 years after the earthquake. By applying univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses, we assessed the relative value of the PDI and other baseline variables for PTSD symptoms and burnout at 4 years after the earthquake.ResultsWe obtained baseline data from 254 participants during April 2 to 22, 2011. Of the 254 participants, 188 (74.0%) completed the follow-up assessment. PDI score 1 month after the earthquake was associated with symptoms of PTSD (β=0.35, P<.01) and burnout (β=0.21, P<.01). Stress before deployment was a related factor for burnout 4 years after the earthquake in these medical rescue workers (β=2.61, P<.04).ConclusionsIt seems important for DMAT headquarters to establish a routine system for assessing the PDI of medical rescue workers after deployment and screen those workers who have high stress prior to deployment (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:848–853)

Author(s):  

Understanding the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in quarantined/isolated individuals is essential for decreasing morbidity and mortality caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a paucity of evidence quantifying PTSD status globally during confinement in quarantine/isolation facilities during COVID-19. Therefore, we aimed to assess the PTSD status and factors contributing to PTSD development in quarantined/isolated people during pandemic. Using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) scale, our multicentre, multinational, and cross-sectional online survey assessed the psychological impacts on the quarantine/isolation experience of participants suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, their PTSD status, and various correlates with developing PTSD. We had 944 (35.33%) valid responses (51.1% from females), mostly from Asian countries (635, 71.4%), and 33.9% were healthcare workers. The number of quarantine days in the PTSD symptoms group (using the IES-R cutoff of 24 for symptomatic or full PTSD) was significantly shorter compared to the non-PTSD group (14 (range 14–40) vs. 14 (14–23.75), p = 0.031). Lower rates of PTSD symptoms were observed in participants practicing Buddhist religion than in participants having no religion (OR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.13–0.68; p = 0.005); individuals with vocational training had a higher risk of developing PTSD symptoms (OR: 2.28 (1.04–5.15); p = 0.043) compared to university graduates. Individuals forced to be quarantined/isolated had higher odds of developing PTSD symptoms than those voluntarily quarantined/isolated (OR: 2.92 (1.84–4.74); p < 0.001). We identified several PTSD correlations among individuals quarantined/isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic, including religious practice, reason for quarantine/isolation, education level, and being a case of the infection. These findings can inform worldwide policies to minimize the adverse effects of such social control measures.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Etienne Bastien ◽  
Sophie Lefevre-Arbogast ◽  
Justine Lequesne ◽  
Francois Gernier ◽  
Francois Cherifi ◽  
...  

Background: Cancer patients may be particularly vulnerable to psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and successive lockdowns. We studied the prevalence and evolution of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in cancer patients during the pandemic waves, and investigated factors associated with high symptoms. Methods: COVIPACT is a one-year longitudinal prospective study of French patients with solid/hematologic malignancy receiving treatment during the first nationwide lockdown. PTSD symptoms were measured every 3 months from April 2020 using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Patients also completed validated questionnaires on quality of life (QoL), cognitive complaints and insomnia, and a survey on their COVID-19 lockdown experience. Results: Longitudinal analyses involved 386 patients with at least one PTSD assessment after baseline (median age 63, 76% female). Among them, 21.5% had moderate/severe PTSD symptoms during the first lockdown. The rate of patients reporting PTSD symptoms decreased at lockdown release (13.6%), increased again at second lockdown (23.2%), and slightly declined from the second release period (22.7%) to the third lockdown (17.5%). Patients were grouped into three trajectories of evolution. Most patients had stable low symptoms throughout the period, 6% had high baseline symptoms slowly decreasing over time, and 17.6% had moderate symptoms worsening during second lockdown. Female sex, feeling socially isolated, worrying about COVID-19 infection, and using psychotropic drugs were associated with PTSD symptoms. PTSD symptoms were associated with impaired QoL, sleep and cognition. Conclusions: Around a quarter of cancer patients presented high and persistent PTSD symptoms over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and may benefit from psychological support.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 142-142
Author(s):  
C. Carmassi ◽  
C. Socci ◽  
M. Corsi ◽  
I. Pergentini ◽  
E. Massimetti ◽  
...  

IntroductionAround 9–20% of bereaved individuals experience symptoms of complicated grief (CG) associated with significant distress and impairment. Increasing research has been focused on identifying the distinctive set of psychiatric symptoms that characterize this condition with respect to major depression, corroborating the need to include this syndrome in the forthcoming DSM-V as a distinctive diagnosis. Vulnerability to CG has been rooted in attachment disturbances and authors reported that symptoms of separation anxiety in childhood should be considered as predictors of CG onset in adulthood.ObjectivesTo date no study explored symptoms of adult separation anxiety among patients with CG with respect to healthy control subjects (HC).AimsTo explore adult separation anxiety and mood spectrum symptoms in patients with CG with respect to HC.Methods53 patients with CG and 50 control subjects were recruited, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pisa. Assessments: SCID-I/P, the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA-27), the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), the Impact of Event Scale (IES) and the Mood Spectrum-Self Report (MOODS-SR) lifetime version.ResultsPatients with CG reported significantly higher scores on the MOODS-SR, ASA_27, IES and WSAS with respect to controls. The scores on the ASA_27 were more strongly associated with IES scores with respect to other scales.ConclusionsOur results suggest a correlation between adult separation anxiety and CG onset after the loss of a loved one in adulthood, with a possible correlation to a post-traumatic stress symptomatology. Further studies are needed.


2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Cacciatore

This research study explores the effects of support groups on traumatic stress responses of women experiencing stillbirth. Women ( N = 47) responded to a mixed method questionnaire. Quantitative results utilizing the Impact of Event Scale Revised demonstrate that women who attend support group, when controlling for time, had fewer post traumatic stress symptoms than did the women who did not attend support group. Qualitative results elucidate the role of support groups in managing grief, suggesting that connectivity with other like women may be a useful strategy in reducing problematic psychological outcomes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Younglee Kim ◽  
Eunju Seo ◽  
Youngseon Seo ◽  
Vivien Dee ◽  
Eunhee Hong

Background: The unprecedented nationwide outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavarius (MERS-CoV) from June to July in 2015 took the Korean healthcare system unexpectedly and created physical and psychological stress and trauma to Registered Nurses unprepared to deal with the viral outbreak.Purpose: We investigated the effects of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and burnout among Korean registered nurses (RNs).Methods: A descriptive cross sectional design using a self-administered survey of a convenience sample of 112 Korean RNs. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised-Korean version (IES-R-K) for PTSD and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) for burnout were utilized.Results: Overall prevalence for symptoms of PTSD was 50.0%. PTSD was significantly correlated to burnout (r = .480, p = .000), especially two burnout subscales, emotional exhaustion (r = .533, p = .000), and depersonalization (r = .497, p = .000).Conclusions: Future anticipatory guidance and management of traumatic outbreak or disaster should be considered for nurses’ mental health. Public health and safety at the national level must address quality health outcomes for both patients and healthcare professionals alike.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (34) ◽  
pp. 2884-2887
Author(s):  
Ajay Kumar Joopaka ◽  
Molanguri Umashankar ◽  
Pingali Srilakshmi ◽  
Pradeep Sharma Telkapalli ◽  
Chinni Krishna Banoth ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Corona virus disease or the (COVID 19) has caused mental health problems in the general population, in people infected and hospitalised for the disease and in patients who have recovered from the disease physically but continue to suffer from lingering mental health problems. Studies have shown stress, depression, and anxiety in one third of the survivors. Similarly post-traumatic stress disorder has been reported to be around 13 % in the survivors of COVID 19. In this study, we wanted to assess the psychological symptoms in the survivors of Covid 19 patients, one month post discharge and also assess various factors associated with the same. METHODS A cross sectional telephonic survey of the patients one month following discharge was done to understand the psychological problems. Sociodemographic data was recorded on a semi structured proforma, whereas psychological distress was recorded on patient health questionnaire - 4 (PHQ - 4) and the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was screened for by the impact of event scale revised (IES - R). RESULTS Of the 200 patients evaluated, 46.8 % scored above 20 on the impact of event scale which was considered to be a positive screen for post-traumatic stress disorder. Moderate psychological distress was reported by 10.5 % and severe by 7.5 % as measured by PHQ - 4. Being married, having other family members effected by the infection and deaths in the family were some of the factors that were significantly associated with psychological distress and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSIONS Continued mental health support needs to be extended to members who are considered to have recovered and discharged from the hospital following the COVID 19 infection. KEY WORDS COVID 19, Psychological Symptoms, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Kukowski ◽  
David B King ◽  
Anita DeLongis

IntroductionParamedics are at high risk for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma-related symptoms, and burnout. Despite the multitude of research linking both PTSD and burnout with poor sleep quality, there has been no research linking all three variables, in emergency workers or otherwise. Given the importance of sleep in a profession that is largely reliant on shift work, the goal of the current study was to examine the moderating effect of burnout on the association between post-traumatic stress and average sleep quality. MethodsA sample of 87 paramedics from major urban centres across Canada completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the PTSD Checklist Civilian Version, in addition to reporting sleep quality for a period of one week. ResultsIn support of our hypotheses, post-traumatic stress was associated with lower average sleep quality. Standard regression analyses further revealed that this effect was moderated by burnout, such that higher burnout exacerbated the effect of post-traumatic stress on sleep. In examination of the subscales of the MBI, this effect was maintained for personal accomplishment only, which interacted with stress so as to further impair quality of sleep.ConclusionsThese findings offer important considerations regarding the mitigating role of more positive workplace variables in paramedics suffering from post-traumatic stress, PTSD, and/or sleep problems. Interventions aimed at fostering a sense of personal accomplishment on the job may improve the health of emergency medical personnel via multiple pathways.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabien Renaud ◽  
Louise Jakubiec ◽  
Joel Swendsen ◽  
Melina Fatseas

The frequent co-occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUDs) leads to manifestations of both conditions that are more severe and more resistance to treatment than single disorders. One hypothesis to explain this synergy is the impact of intrusive memories on craving which, in turn, increases the risk of relapse among patients with substance use disorders. The aim of this systematic review is to examine this possibility by assessing the impact of PTSD and its symptoms on craving among dual disorder patients. Using PRISMA criteria, four databases were comprehensively searched up to June, 2021, in order to identify all candidate studies based on broad key words. Resulting studies were then selected if they examined the impact of PTSD or PTSD symptoms on craving, and if they used standardized assessments of PTSD, SUD, and craving. Twenty-seven articles matched the selection criteria and were included in this review. PTSD was found to be significantly associated with increased craving levels among patients with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, tobacco, and other substance use disorders. Exposition to traumatic cues among dual disorder patients was also shown to trigger craving, with an additive effect on craving intensity when exposure to substance-related cues occurred. In addition, certain studies observed a correlation between PTSD symptom severity and craving intensity. Concerning mechanisms underlying these associations, some findings suggest that negative emotional states or emotion dysregulation may play a role in eliciting craving after traumatic exposure. Moreover, these studies suggest that PTSD symptoms may, independently of emotions, act as powerful cues that trigger craving. These findings argue for the need of dual disorder treatment programs that integrate PTSD-focused approaches and emotion regulation strategies, in addition to more traditional interventions for craving management.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Davico ◽  
Ada Ghiggia ◽  
Daniele Marcotulli ◽  
Federica Ricci ◽  
Federico Amianto ◽  
...  

Aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has abruptly changed the life of millions as travel and social contacts have been severely restricted. We assessed the psychological impact of COVID-19 on adults and children, with special attention to health care workers (HCWs).Methods: A self-rated online survey, including the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) for adults and the Children Revised Impact of Event Scale-Revised-13 items (CRIES-13) for their 8–18-year-old offspring, was conducted in Italy on March 20–26, 2020. Linear mixed-effects models were applied to the data, accounting for age, sex, education, and other demographic characteristics.Results: Data were available from 2,419 adults (78.4% females, mean age 38.1 ± SD 13.1 years; 15.7% HCW) and 786 children (50.1% male, mean age 12.3 ± 3.2 years). Median (IQR) IES-R score was 30.0 (21.0–40.0), corresponding to mild psychological impact, with 33.2% reporting severe psychological impact. IES-R was lower in HCWs (29.0) than non-HCWs (31.0), but HCWs directly involved in COVID-19 care had higher scores [33.0 (26.0–43.2)] than uninvolved HCWs [28.0 (19.0–36.0)]. Median CRIES-13 score was [21.0 (11.0–32.0)], with 30.9% of the children at high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. Parent and child scores were correlated.Conclusions: Up to 30% of adult and children in the pandemic area are at high risk for post-traumatic stress disturbances. The risk is greater for HCWs directly involved in COVID-19 care and for their children.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-22
Author(s):  
M. S. Tareen ◽  
C. McDowell ◽  
K. Naqvi ◽  
A. Bashir ◽  
P. Keenan ◽  
...  

In the aftermath of the major earthquake that hit Pakistan in 2005, there appeared to be a paucity of psychometric tools validated in Urdu. It was decided to translate the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R) so as to obtain an internationally validated and recognised psychometric tool for use in research into post-traumatic stress disorder. The resulting Urdu and English versions of the IES-R were compared for linguistic, conceptual and scale equivalence. The Urdu version of the IES-R (UIES-R) can be used for clinical, psychological trauma populations in Pakistan with evidence of good reliability and satisfactory validity. In trauma research in Pakistan the UIES-R will be an extremely useful psychometric tool.


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