Peritraumatic Predictors of Acute PTSD Symptoms in Mothers of Children Exposed to a Traumatic Event

Child welfare workers often experience work-related traumatic events and may be at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can hinder early interventions for child abuse. This study examined the association between each single work-related traumatic event experienced by child welfare workers and the cumulative number of traumatic event types with PTSD symptoms. A checklist of traumatic events was used to investigate work-related traumatic events. The PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) was used to screen for PTSD symptoms. Two multivariate analyses were performed. A total of 140 workers were included in the analyses. In the first multivariate analysis, the event, “Witnessed a parent violently beating, hitting, kicking, or otherwise injuring a child or the other parent during work” (β = 11.96; 95% CI, 2.11–21.80; p < 0.05) and resilience (β = −0.60; 95% CI, −0.84 to −0.36; p < 0.01) were significantly associated with PTSD symptoms, as was resilience in the second multivariate analysis (β = −0.60; 95%CI, −0.84 to −0.36; p < 0.01). The association between the cumulative number of event types and PTSD symptoms was not significant, but it was stronger when the cumulative number was four or more. The findings suggest the importance of reducing child welfare worker exposure to traumatic events.

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Acute child and mother psychophysiological responses and subsequent PTSD symptoms following a child's traumatic event

Journal of Traumatic Stress ◽

10.1002/jts.20286 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 20 (5) ◽

pp. 677-687 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Sarah A. Ostrowski ◽

Norman C. Christopher ◽

Manfred H.M. van Dulmen ◽

Douglas L. Delahanty

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Event ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Psychophysiological Responses

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The exposure to traumatic events and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder among Korean journalists

Journalism ◽

10.1177/1464884917707596 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (9-10) ◽

pp. 1308-1325 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mina Lee ◽

Eun Hye Ha ◽

Jung Kun Pae

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Coping Strategy ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

Traumatic Events ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Negative Beliefs ◽

Traumatic Event Exposure

This study investigated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms on Korean journalists and the contributing variables. Predicting variables included the exposure to traumatic events, coping strategy, social support, optimism, negative beliefs, and the journalists’ occupational perspectives. A total of 367 Korean journalists participated in the survey. The findings revealed that, first, Korean journalists had suffered severely from PTSD symptoms according to the prevalence rate. Second, the extent of traumatic event exposure, the length of career, the use of dysfunctional coping strategy, a lack of social support, and negative beliefs were identified as significantly related variables. Finally, occupational perspectives showed meaningful associations with development of the symptoms. This study provided an empirical analysis of Korean journalists’ experiences of traumatic events and psychological stress for the first time.

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PTSD prevalence among resident mothers and their offspring in Rwanda 25 years after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi

BMC Psychology ◽

10.1186/s40359-019-0362-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Celestin Mutuyimana ◽

Vincent Sezibera ◽

Epaphrodite Nsabimana ◽

Lambert Mugabo ◽

Cindi Cassady ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Event ◽

Adult Population ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Target Groups ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Prevalence ◽

General Adult Population ◽

Exposure To Trauma ◽

Ptsd Prevalence

Abstract Background The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was a major traumatic event affecting nearly all Rwandans. Significant psychological sequels continue to occur in the population 25 years after, with a high prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) found in women. Three groups are typically designated with regard to the Genocide against the Tutsi: those who were targeted and categorized as genocide “survivors,” those who were in the country during the genocide and were the “non-targeted” group, and those who were outside of the country, referred to as the “1959 returnees.” Each group experienced various traumatic events during and in the aftermath of the genocide. Offspring of the designated groups, currently exhibit symptoms of PTSD disregarding of being born in the years following the genocide. A number of studies have described the prevalence of PTSD in the general adult population. There is a lack of research comparing the prevalence of PTSD in women and their offspring among these three target groups, therefore, this study aimed to bridge the gap. Methods We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study with a sample of 432 mothers and 432 children in three categories: genocide survivors, in country non-targeted and 1959 returnees. Participant ages for children were between 14 to 22 years and for mothers, between the ages of 32 to 87 years. The UCLA-PTSD DSM-5, PTSD Check list-5 and Life events Checklist-5 were translated from English to Kinyarwanda and were used to assess exposure to trauma and the prevalence of PTSD symptoms in Rwandan mothers and their offspring. Results Key Results yield a PTSD rate of 18.8, 6.2, 5.2% within survivors, in country non-targeted, and returnees respectively with an average PTSD rate of 43.8% for parents, and 16.5% for offspring. Conclusion PTSD among the mothers’ groups and their offspring have been found, specifically in the offspring of genocide survivors. Considering these adolescents were not born at the time of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the results suggest future studies should explore the precipitating factors contributing to the PTSD symptoms within this specific group.

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Differential effect of Hurricane Sandy exposure on PTSD symptom severity: comparison of community members and responders

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oemed-2019-105957 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 76 (12) ◽

pp. 881-887 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Adam Gonzalez ◽

Rehana Rasul ◽

Lucero Molina ◽

Samantha Schneider ◽

Kristin Bevilacqua ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Symptom Severity ◽

Differential Effect ◽

Ptsd Symptom ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

World Trade Center ◽

Hurricane Sandy ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Community Members ◽

Ptsd Symptom Severity

ObjectivesTo evaluate whether the association between Hurricane Sandy exposures and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity was greater for exposed community members compared with responders.MethodsData were analysed from three existing studies with similar methodologies (N=1648): two community studies, Leaders in Gathering Hope Together (n=531) and Project Restoration (n=763); and the Sandy/World Trade Center Responders Study (n=354). Sandy-related PTSD symptoms were measured using the PTSD checklist-specific traumatic event and dichotomised as elevated (>30) versus low/no (<30) PTSD symptoms. Sandy exposures were measured with a summed checklist. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the differential effect of exposures on PTSD by responder status, adjusting for demographics and time elapsed since Sandy.ResultsResponders were somewhat older (50.5 years (SD=8.3) vs 45.8 years (SD=20.0)), more likely to identify as white (92.4% vs 48.1%) and were male (90.7% vs 38.4%). Responders were less likely to have elevated PTSD symptoms than community members (8.6% vs 31.1%; adjusted OR=0.28, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.46). While exposure was significantly related to elevated PTSD status, the effects were similar for responders and community members.ConclusionsResponders appear to be more resilient to PTSD symptoms post-Sandy than community members. Understanding the mechanisms that foster such resilience can inform interventions aimed at populations that are more vulnerable to experiencing PTSD after natural disasters.

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Longitudinal associations between post-traumatic distress and depressive symptoms following a traumatic event: a test of three models

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291709992248 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 40 (10) ◽

pp. 1669-1678 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

I. Schindel-Allon ◽

I. M. Aderka ◽

G. Shahar ◽

M. Stein ◽

E. Gilboa-Schechtman

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

Common Factor ◽

Sem Analysis ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Change Model ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Post Traumatic

BackgroundSymptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are highly co-morbid following a traumatic event. Nevertheless, decisive evidence regarding the direction of the relationship between these clinical entities is missing.MethodThe aim of the present study was to examine the nature of this relationship by comparing a synchronous change model (PTSD and depression are time synchronous, possibly stemming from a third common factor) with a demoralization model (i.e. PTSD symptoms causing depression) and a depressogenic model (i.e. depressive symptoms causing PTSD symptoms). Israeli adult victims of single-event traumas (n=156) were assessed on measures of PTSD and depression at 2, 4 and 12 weeks post-event.ResultsA cross-lagged structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis provided results consistent with the synchronous change model and the depressogenic model.ConclusionsDepressive symptoms may play an important role in the development of post-traumatic symptoms.

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PTSD symptoms, potentially traumatic event exposure, and binge drinking: A prospective study with a national sample of adolescents

Journal of Anxiety Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.janxdis.2011.06.006 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 25 (7) ◽

pp. 978-987 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Josh M. Cisler ◽

Ananda B. Amstadter ◽

Angela M. Begle ◽

Heidi S. Resnick ◽

Carla Kmett Danielson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prospective Study ◽

Binge Drinking ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

National Sample ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

Traumatic Event Exposure

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Glucocorticoid-based therapeutic options for PTSD

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.521 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S215-S215

Author(s):

S. Ouanes

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Glucocorticoid Receptor ◽

Glucocorticoid Receptors ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

Therapeutic Options ◽

Curative Treatment ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Preventive Interventions ◽

Competing Interest ◽

Receptor Modulators

IntroductionPTSD has been associated with HPA axis alterations, mainly consisting of reduced cortisol levels, elevated CRH and enhanced glucocorticoid receptor responsiveness. These findings led to the emergence of glucocorticoid-based therapeutic options for PTSD.ObjectiveTo outline the different glucocorticoid-based interventions for PTSD either for prophylactic or for curative treatment.MethodsA systematic review was performed. The Medline database was searched using the following keywords: ‘PTSD’, ‘treatment’, ‘Glucocorticoids’, ‘hydrocortisone’.ResultsGlucocorticoid-based therapeutic for PTSD comprise preventive and curative interventions. Preventive interventions mainly consist of administering one single bolus of hydrocortisone shortly following the exposure to a traumatic event. Evidence comes from six published trials, all positive. Curative interventions include: prescribing hydrocortisone over short periods of time to treat PTSD symptoms, using Glucocorticoids to augment psychotherapy (in particular exposure therapy) for PTSD and using Mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. Moreover, novel glucocorticoid receptor modulators are currently being developed and tested on animal models as a potential curative treatment for PTSD.ConclusionsUse of hydrocortisone in preventing PTSD might be tempting, as is the use of hydrocortisone or Glucocorticoid receptors antagonists/modulators in treating PTSD. Yet, it should be emphasized that these interventions are not mainstream yet. They rather reflect a revolutionary new direction.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

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Quetiapine Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Annals of Pharmacotherapy ◽

10.1345/aph.1c040 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 36 (12) ◽

pp. 1875-1878 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

S Pirzada Sattar ◽

Bernadette Ucci ◽

Kathleen Grant ◽

Subhash C Bhatia ◽

Frederick Petty

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

English Language ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

First Case

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of improvement in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after adjunctive therapy with quetiapine. CASE SUMMARY: A 49-year-old white man witnessed a traumatic event and experienced severe PTSD. He was started on paroxetine, with increases in dosage and no significant improvement. Quetiapine was added to his regimen, with increased doses resulting in improvement of PTSD symptoms, both clinically and as measured on the Hamilton-D rating scale for depression and the clinician-administered PTSD screen. DISCUSSION: This is the first case published in the English language literature describing improvement in PTSD symptoms after treatment with quetiapine. There are several treatment options for PTSD, but some severe cases may require treatment with antipsychotic medications. Because of the lower risks of serious adverse effects, the newer atypical antipsychotics are much safer than the older antipsychotics. Although use of risperidone and olanzapine in the successful treatment of PTSD has been reported in the literature, there are no reports of quetiapine use in this clinical condition. CONCLUSIONS: Quetiapine appeared to improve clinical signs and symptoms of PTSD in this patient. It may be a treatment option in other severe cases of PTSD.

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A perspective on the contribution of animal models to the pharmacological treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder

Australasian Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/1039856217716288 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 342-347 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Valerie Bertaina-Anglade ◽

Susan M O’Connor ◽

Emile Andriambeloson

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

Animal Models ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Potential Role ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Off Label ◽

Dsm 5

Objectives: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent, chronic, disabling disorder that may develop following exposure to a traumatic event. This review summarizes currently used animal models of PTSD and their potential role in the development of better therapeutics. Heterogeneity is one of the main characteristics of PTSD with the consequence that many pharmacological approaches are used to relieve symptoms of PTSD. To address the translational properties of the animal models, we discuss the types of stressors used, the rodent correlates of human PTSD (DSM-5) symptoms, and the efficacy of approved, recommended and off-label drugs used to treat PTSD in ‘PTSD-animals’. Conclusions: Currently available animal models reproduce most PTSD symptoms and are validated by existing therapeutics. However, novel therapeutics are needed for this disorder as not one drug alleviates all symptoms and many have side effects that lead to non-compliance among PTSD patients. The true translational power of animal models of PTSD will only be demonstrated when new therapeutics acting through novel mechanisms become available for clinical practice.

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