scholarly journals Veterans’ experiences of successfully managing post-traumatic stress disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Parry ◽  
Suzanne Margaret Hodge ◽  
Alan Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Civilian Life ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Military

Purpose Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among UK veterans is higher than in the general population. However, prevalence figures do not reflect the complexity of this phenomenon and ways in which it may be bound up with veterans’ experiences of adjusting to civilian life. The purpose of this study is to explore veterans’ experiences of successfully managing PTSD. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six veterans who had served in the UK armed forces and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings Three themes were developed: accepting the problem, taking responsibility and gaining control; talking to the right people; and strategies, antidotes and circling back around. Managing PTSD appeared to be bound up with veterans’ experience of renegotiating their identity, where positive aspects of identity lost on leaving the military were rebuilt and problematic aspects were challenged. Participants sought to speak about their difficulties with others who understood the military context. They felt that their experiences made them a valuable resource to others, and they connected this with a positive sense of identity and value. Practical implications The findings suggest the importance of wider provision of peer support and education for civilian health services on veterans’ needs. Originality/value This study adds to the understanding of what meaningful recovery from PTSD may involve for veterans, in particular its potential interconnectedness with the process of adjusting to civilian life.

Use and correlates of VHA tobacco cessation counseling services by veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Kelly ◽  
Shihwe Wang ◽  
Robert Rosenheck
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Counseling Services ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Traumatic

Purpose Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have high lifetime rates of smoking and often have substantial difficulty quitting. However, relatively little research has focussed on the use of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) intensive tobacco cessation counseling services by veterans with PTSD and the characteristics of veterans with PTSD who do and do not use these services. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The present study is an analysis of national VHA administrative data fiscal year 2012 that identified utilization rates of VHA intensive tobacco cessation counseling among veterans with diagnoses of both PTSD and tobacco use disorder (TUD) (N=144,990) and the correlates of tobacco cessation counseling use. Findings Altogether, 7,921 veterans with PTSD diagnosed with TUD used VHA tobacco cessation services (5.5 percent). Veterans with PTSD who used tobacco cessation counseling services were more likely to have been homeless, to have a comorbid drug use disorder, and had used other VHA services more frequently than their counterparts who did not access tobacco cessation counseling. The use of outpatient mental health and substance use services was the strongest correlate of tobacco cessation counseling use by veterans in this sample. Notably, veterans with PTSD, TUD and HIV were more likely to engage in tobacco cessation services. Originality/value This study demonstrates that future efforts should focus on increasing provider and veteran awareness of and accessibility to VHA intensive tobacco cessation counseling for veterans with PTSD.

Faking it: incentives and malingered PTSD

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristine A. Peace ◽  
Victoria E.S. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Symptom Profiles ◽  
Symptom Reports ◽  
Symptom Scores ◽  
Post Traumatic

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address how context for malingering and the provision of incentives influence malingered symptom profiles of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Design/methodology/approach – A 2 (case context)×3 (incentive) factorial design was utilized. Participants (n=298) were given an incentive (positive, negative, or no incentive), randomly assigned to a criminal or civil context, and asked to provide a fake claim of child abuse with corresponding malingered symptoms of PTSD. Under these conditions, participants completed several questionnaires pertaining to symptoms of trauma and PTSD. Findings – Results indicated that negative incentives were primarily associated with lower symptom scores. Therefore, “having something to lose” may result in more constrained (and realistic) symptom reports relative to exaggeration evidenced with positive incentives. Originality/value – These results have implications for forensic settings where malingered claims of PTSD are common and incentives for such claims (e.g. having something to gain or lose) frequently exist. Previous studies have failed to address incentives (positive and negative) in relation to a crime (i.e. abuse) that can span both criminal and civil contexts.

The prevalence of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder among internally displaced persons in Maiduguri, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Oyine Aluh ◽  
Roland Nnaemeka Okoro ◽  
Adamu Zimboh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Internally Displaced Persons ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internally Displaced ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Post Traumatic

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the prevalence of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri. Design/methodology/approach The study was a cross-sectional study that took place among the six IDP camps located in Maiduguri metropolis in Borno State. A non-randomized technique was used to sample 1,200 respondents. Face-to-face interviews with selected members of households were carried out confidentially. The study used the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Impact of Event Scale-6 which were translated to Kanuri. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed using SPSS version 21. Findings The response rate was 100 percent. In total, 96.1 percent (1,153) of the respondents were depressed, while 78 percent (936) of the respondents were symptomatic for PTSD. The prevalence rate of comorbid PTSD with depression was 68.1 percent (817). About one-third of the respondents had moderately severe depression (29.6 percent, n=355) while about one in ten of them were severely depressed (11.3 percent, n=136). The odds of being depressed was 3.308 higher in people aged 51–60 years compared to people between 18 and 20 years. Significant predictors of depression in the sampled population were screening positive for PTSD and being unemployed. Practical implications The high prevalence of depression and PTSD among the sampled population calls for structured interventions to deal with mental health problems. The study findings suggest the need for more research (preferably qualitative) on the mental health issues in this population. Originality/value This study contributes to the sparse available literature on the mental health of IDPs in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Factors associated with poor self-reported health within the UK military and comparisons with the general population: a cohort study

JRSM Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 205427041769272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah C Jenkins ◽  
Sharon AM Stevelink ◽  
Nicola T Fear
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
History Of ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Military

Objective To investigate the self-rated health of the UK military and explore factors associated with poor self-rated health. Compare self-rated health of the military to the general population. Design A cohort study. Participants A total of 7626 serving and ex-serving UK military personnel, aged between 25 and 49; 19,452,300 civilians from England and Wales. Setting United Kingdom (military), England and Wales (civilians). Main outcome measures Self rated health for both populations. Additional data for the military sample included measures of symptoms of common mental disorder (General Health Questionnaire-12), probable post-traumatic stress disorder (post-traumatic stress disorder checklist Civilian Version), alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), smoking behaviour, history of self-harm and body mass index. Results In the military sample, poor self-rated health was significantly associated with: common mental disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder symptomology, a history of self-harm, being obese, older age (ages 35–49) and current smoking status. However, the majority of military personnel report good health, with levels of poor self-rated health (13%) not significantly different to those reported by the general population (12.1%). Conclusions Self-rated health appears to relate to aspects of both physical and psychological health. The link between poor self-rated health and psychological ill-health emphasises the need for military support services to continue addressing mental health problems.

scholarly journals Psychological rehabilitation of participants of anti-terrorist operation: mechanism of supply

HUMANITARIUM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 168-178
Author(s):  
Yulianna Yasenchuk
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Stress Disorders ◽  
Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Military ◽  
The Impact

The article outlines the main aspects of provision of rehabilitation services for servicemen and participants in the antiterrorist operation. The concept of psychological rehabilitation in the context of a systematic approach is considered in details and its main features are formed. Special attention is paid to the study of previous work, to the mechanism of providing rehabilitation services to all servicemen. In the context of the current tasks, the legal base on this issue, the approved and priority initiatives was investigated. The most frequent distribution among the demobilized soldiers of antiterrorist operation is occupied by people with the main characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder. The percentage correlation with such features in 2015-2017 was investigated and the main aspects of the mechanism of ensuring the full maintenance of social support were formed.Military actions and the conduct of the antiterrorist operation led to increase in the number of psychological stress disorders among the military. In the course of work we managed to find out that since the beginning of the antiterrorist operation and to date, the system of psychological rehabilitation of the military is gradually improving, but the question remains its effective functioning and compliance with world standards.After returning to a peaceful life, soldiers should be involved in rehabilitation activities and receive comprehensive complex rehabilitation in accordance with individual programs.The question was also raised on the issue of soldiers with post-traumatic stress, who had undergone rehabilitation and rehabilitation and required long-term social support. The most effective in reducing the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder is the integration of the soldiers’ negative experience in order to use it for personal growth, self-development, self-realization.

scholarly journals Risk and protective factors for the course of post-traumatic stress disorder in frontline workers after the Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
David McBride ◽  
Nancy Porter ◽  
Kirsten Lovelock ◽  
Daniel Shepherd ◽  
Maria Zubizaretta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Over Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe risk and protective factors for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced over a 1.5-year period among both frontline and “non-traditional” responders to the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach A longitudinal survey administered to Christchurch workers with referents from the city of Hamilton at 6, 12 and 18 months after the 2011 earthquake. Potential risk and protective determinants were assessed by questionnaire items at baseline and over time, the outcome being PTSD as assessed by the PTSD Checklist-Civilian version. A longitudinal latent class analysis identified groups with similar trajectories of PTSD. Findings A total of 226 individuals, 140 (26 per cent) from Christchurch and 86 (16 per cent) from Hamilton, participated at baseline, 180 at 12 and 123 at 18 months, non-traditional responders forming the largest single group. Two latent classes emerged, with PTSD (21 per cent) and without PTSD (79 per cent), with little change over the 18-month period. Class membership was predicted by high scores in the Social Support and Impact of Events scale items, Health-related Quality of Life scores being protective. PTSD scores indicative of distress were found in females, and predicted by burnout risk, behavioural disengagement and venting. Practical implications Non-traditional responders should be screened for PTSD. Social support should be considered with the promotion of adaptive coping mechanisms. Originality/value The strength was longitudinal follow-up over an 18-month period, with demonstration of how the potential determinants influenced the course of PTSD over time.

scholarly journals Post traumatic stress disorder in incarcerated populations: current clinical considerations and recommendations

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-42
Author(s):  
Clare S. Allely ◽  
Bob Allely
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Incarcerated Populations ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Clinical Considerations ◽  
Detrimental Impact

Purpose Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may have a detrimental impact on the individual’s ability to benefit from rehabilitative prison-based programmes, and studies have also found that there is an association between PTSD and higher rates of re-offending. Studies have also found that a significant number of cases of trauma and PTSD go undetected and therefore untreated in individuals who are incarcerated. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was carried out exploring studies that have investigated PTSD in incarcerated populations to identify current clinical considerations and recommendations. Findings This paper explores the key findings from the literature and highlights the important clinical implications and recommendations. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper focusing specifically on how the findings from the literature can inform clinical practice and also what factors need to be given greater consideration, going beyond the current systematic and literature reviews in the field.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document