Vulnerability and Resilience in a Group Intervention with Hospital Personnel during Exposure to Extreme and Prolonged War Stress

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuval Palgi ◽  
Menachem Ben-Ezra ◽  
Chaya Possick
Keyword(s):  
Group Intervention ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
War Stress ◽  
Positive Statements ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Second Lebanon War ◽  
Traumatic Symptoms

AbstractThe current study presents a pilot demonstration of a new therapeutic procedure to mitigate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The pilot took place during the Second Lebanon War. Vulnerability and resilience statements, as well as post-traumatic symptoms, were measured among special army administrative staff (SAAS) who worked in a hospital setting during extreme and prolonged war stress. All 13 soldiers in the unit studied participated in seven group therapy intervention sessions. It was hypothesized that shifting the focus of therapeutic intervention from the scenes of the events to the personal and professional narratives of preparing for the event would change the content of the soldiers’ narratives. It was believed that subtracting the number of positive statements from the number of negative statements would yield increasingly higher “resilience scores” during and after the war. It also was believed that such a change would be reflected in reduction of post-traumatic symptoms. As expected, the participants showed a decrease in vulnerability and an increase in resilience contents, as well as a decrease in traumatic symptoms during and after the war. These findings may reflect the effects of the ceasefire, the mutually supportive attitude of the participants, and the therapeutic interventions.

Changes in Post-Traumatic Symptom Pattern during and after Exposure to Extreme War Stress: An Uncontrolled, Preliminary Study Supporting the Dose-Response Model

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Menachem Ben-Ezra ◽  
Yuval Palgi ◽  
Amit Shrira ◽  
Dina Sternberg ◽  
Nir Essar
Keyword(s):  
Dose Response ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
External Stress ◽  
Response Model ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
War Stress ◽  
Symptom Pattern ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Stress Influences

AbstractIntroduction:Exposure to prolonged war stress is understudied. While there is debate regarding the empirical data of the dose-response model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), little is known about how weekly changes in external stress influences the level of PTSD symptoms. The purpose of this study was to measure the relation between objective external stress and PTSD symptoms across time, and thus, gain a deeper understating of the dose-response model.Hypothesis:The study hypothesis postulates that the more severe the external stressor, the more severe the exhibition of traumatic symptoms.Methods:Thirteen special army administrative staff (SAAS) members from the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa attended seven intervention meetings during the war. These personnel answered a battery of questionnaires regarding demographics and PTSD symptoms during each session. A non-parametric test was used in order to measure the changes in PTSD symptoms between sessions. Pearson correlations were used in order to study the relationship between the magnitude of external stressors and the severity of PTSD symptoms.Results:The results suggested that there was a significant relationship between the magnitude of external stressors and the severity of PTSD symptoms. These results are in line with the dose-response model.Conclusions:The results suggest that a pattern of decline in PTSD symptoms confirm the dose-response model for PTSD.

Is autonoetic recollection of threat in PTSD related to impaired inhibitory skills?

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S360-S360
Author(s):  
A.C. Tudorache ◽  
W. El-Hage ◽  
G. Tapia ◽  
N. Goutaudier ◽  
S. Kalenzaga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Disturbances ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Experimental Methodology ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Emotional Words ◽  
Memory Impairments ◽  
Memory Functioning ◽  
Inhibitory Deficits ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionIntrusive traumatic reminiscences are among the most distressing and salient characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Associated with involuntary onsets, emotional disturbances and consciousness-related impairments, such symptoms suggest that memory functioning could be impaired in PTSD. While there is a growing body of research on experimental assessments of memory in patients with PTSD, inconsistent results remain.ObjectiveUsing an experimental methodology, this study aims to measure memory in PTSD in consideration of central features of intrusive symptoms, especially emotional, inhibitory and consciousness-related memory impairments.Method34 patients diagnosed with PTSD were compared with 37 non-PTSD controls on an item-cued directed forgetting paradigm for emotional words combined with a remember/know recognition procedure.ResultsResults confirmed prior findings of an increased and peculiarly conscious recognition of trauma-related words in PTSD. Interestingly, our results showed that, despite general memory inhibitory deficits, PTSD patients, if requested, presented a preserved ability to inhibit this improved recollection of trauma-related words.ConclusionWhile our findings highlight a biased memory functioning in favour of threatening stimuli in PTSD, inhibitory deficits for such information was not reported to play a role on this effect. Conversely, it seems that instead of inhibitory deficits, patients presented a preferential treatment of threat concordant with vigilant-avoidant models of information processing. Focusing on memory impairment in treatment for PTSD appears of prime importance. Our findings regarding preserved inhibitory skills for threat memories in the disorder could be an interesting clue for therapeutic interventions on intrusive symptoms.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Identifying Trajectories and Predictors of Response to Psychotherapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Adults: A Systematic Review of Literature

2019 ◽  
pp. 070674371987560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Dewar ◽  
Alison Paradis ◽  
Christophe A. Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Post Traumatic

Objective: There exists considerable individual variability in the development and progression of pathological stress reactions after experiencing trauma, as well as in individuals’ response to psychological interventions. Yet until recently, such individual differences had not been considered when evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This systematic review aims to examine the emerging literature on this subject and, specifically, to identify trajectories and predictors of psychotherapeutic response in adults with PTSD. Method: Four databases were searched using specific keywords without date or language restrictions. For each study, independent reviewers systematically evaluated whether it met eligibility criteria and assessed risk of bias. For included studies, reviewers completed data extraction using standard formats. Those examining how subgroups of adults respond to therapy for clinical PTSD using trajectory modeling were deemed eligible. Demographic, PTSD, clinical, and trauma-related factors associated to particular trajectories were also examined. Results: Of the 1,727 papers identified, 11 were included in this analysis. Of these studies, six focused on military-related traumas and five on civilian ones. Although studies found between two and five trajectories, most supported a three-trajectory model of response categorized as responders, nonresponders, and subclinical participants. Over 22 predictors of treatment trajectories were examined. Comorbid depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse were the strongest predictors of poor therapeutic response. Age, combat exposure, social support, and hyperarousal were moderate predictors. Conclusion: This review provides valuable insight into the treatment of PTSD, as it supports the heterogeneous trajectories of psychotherapeutic responses and provides avenues for the development of interventions that consider individual-level factors in treatment response.

scholarly journals Treatment of victims of trauma

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 358-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwen Adshead ◽  
Scott Ferris
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stress ◽  
Stress Disorders ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Acute And Chronic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Traumatic Symptoms

Not all traumatic events cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and people develop PTSD symptoms after events that do not seem to be overwhelmingly traumatic. In order to direct services appropriately, there is a need to distinguish time-limited post-traumatic symptoms and acute stress reactions (that may improve spontaneously without treatment or respond to discrete interventions) from PTSD, with its potentially more chronic pathway and possible long-term effects on the personality. In this article, we describe acute and chronic stress disorders and evidence about the most effective treatments.

scholarly journals Therapeutic interventions in intimate partner violence: an overview

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Condino ◽  
Annalisa Tanzilli ◽  
Anna Maria Speranza ◽  
Vittorio Lingiardi
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Clinical Model ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and its prevention is a global public health priority. There is strong scientific evidence that suggests IPV and symptoms such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, chronic pain, etc. are linked. Despite recommendations and various interventions for the treatment of IPV that have been tried in these last 20 years, the rates of recurrence are still too high. Furthermore, there is a lack of research evidence for the effectiveness of the most common treatments provided for victims and perpetrators of IPVs. The purpose of this paper is to present most used, at a global level, therapeutic interventions for women experiencing IPV (as well as treatments for perpetrators). The possibility of building a preliminary theoretical and clinical model is discussed.

Full and Partial DSM-5 PTSD in Parents of Children with Epilepsy: Exploring Gender Differences

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S722-S722
Author(s):  
C. Carmassi ◽  
M. Corsi ◽  
C. Gesi ◽  
C.A. Bertelloni ◽  
F. Faggioni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Dsm 5 ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy ◽  
Traumatic Symptoms

IntroductionIncreasing literature suggests the need to explore PTSD and post-traumatic stress symptoms among parents and caregivers of children with acute and chronic illnesses but scant data are available on epilepsy.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to estimate full and partial PTSD rates among parents of children with epilepsy according to DSM-5 criteria. Further, aim of this study was to examine eventual gender differences between mothers and fathers.MethodsOne hundred and thirty-eight parents, 91 mothers (65.9%) and 47 (34.1%) fathers, of children diagnosed with epilepsy were interviewed using the SCID-5.ResultsFull and partial DSM-5 PTSD were reported by 10.4% and 37.3% of patients, respectively. Significant gender differences, with the mother more affected, emerged in the rates of partial A PTSD rates (P = 0.048) and in the endorsement rates of criterion B (intrusion symptoms) (P = 0.047), criterion D (negative alterations in cognitions and mood) (P = 0.010) and criterion E (alterations in arousal and reactivity) (P < 0.001) too.ConclusionsThis is the first study to identify post-traumatic symptoms in caregivers of pediatric patients with epilepsy with the use of current diagnostic criteria and the relevance of the results suggests the need for further studies on this risk population.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Post-Traumatic Growth Interventions

2021 ◽  
pp. 28-46
Author(s):  
Ann Marie Roepke ◽  
Areti Zikopoulos ◽  
Marie Forgeard
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Illness ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cultural Narrative ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Adverse Experiences ◽  
Post Traumatic

Individuals who live through adverse experiences such as natural disasters, abuse, combat, and chronic illness have the potential to develop post-traumatic stress symptoms, which have been the target of various therapeutic interventions. This chapter provides an overview of what is known about interventions to promote post-traumatic growth, the limitations of existing studies, and an outline for future research on how such interventions can be successfully designed and evaluated. This chapter also highlights the utility of interventions that promote post-traumatic growth following adversity and how this relates to shaping the cultural narrative that surrounds growth following adversity, challenge, or failure.

Influence of post-migration living difficulties on post-traumatic symptoms in Chinese asylum seekers resettled in Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-135
Author(s):  
Massimiliano Aragona ◽  
Miriam Castaldo ◽  
Maria Cristina Tumiati ◽  
Cristina Schillirò ◽  
Alessandra Dal Secco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Potentially Traumatic Events ◽  
Harvard Trauma Questionnaire ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Migration Experiences ◽  
Traumatic Symptoms

Background: Little is known about mental health and resettlement difficulties of Chinese asylum seekers fleeing China due to religious persecutions. Aim: This study explores main post-migration living difficulties (PMLD) in this population, with a focus on their role in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: A total of 67 patients (95.52% women, mean age 34.75 ± 7.63) were included in the study. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) was used to assess PTSD, the List of Migration Experiences (LiMEs) was used for pre-migration and post-migration experiences (potentially traumatic events as well as living difficulties). The t-test was used to examine the differences in pre-migration and post-migration mean scores. Logistic regression was used to test the effect of pre-migration traumatic experiences (PMTE) and most frequent PMLD on having a PTSD. Results: A total of 49 patients scored above the HTQ cut-off score for PTSD. As expected, traumatic experiences were concentrated in the pre-migration phase, while living difficulties were present in both phases but more frequently in the post-migration period. PMTE were significantly related to PTSD (OR 1.29, p = .01). However, three PMLD (‘Feeling that you do not know where you will lend up tomorrow’, ‘Loneliness and boredom’ and ‘Not being able to find work’) showed a significant interaction with PMTE, suggesting that their presence in the post-migration phase has a modulation effect by increasing the likelihood of PTSD. Conclusion: This study extends to Chinese asylum seekers the previous evidence that PMLD have a significant role in the likelihood to have a PTSD after landing in the host country.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document