The Association Between Post-Traumatic Stress and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Puerto Ricans in Boston: How Does Loneliness Matter?

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432110641
Author(s):  
Kaipeng Wang ◽  
Anao Zhang ◽  
Adolfo G. Cuevas ◽  
Carson M. De Fries ◽  
Ladson Hinton ◽  
...  

Objectives To examine the association between post-traumatic stress and depression and whether such an association differs by level of loneliness among older Puerto Ricans. Methods Data were collected from 304 Puerto Ricans aged 60 and above living in the Greater Boston area who responded to questionnaires. We used ordinary least squares regression to examine the association between post-traumatic stress, loneliness, and depressive symptoms. Results Post-traumatic stress was significantly associated with higher levels of depression. The association between post-traumatic stress and depression was stronger for those experiencing a higher degree of loneliness. Discussion In working with older Puerto Ricans experiencing post-traumatic stress, it is important for mental health professionals to incorporate the assessment of loneliness and to prevent and reduce comorbid depression by addressing loneliness through improving social skills, enhancing social support, and reducing maladaptive social cognition.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 410-410
Author(s):  
Kaipeng Wang ◽  
Adolfo Cuevas ◽  
Anao Zhang ◽  
Carson de Fries ◽  
Ladson Hinton ◽  
...  

Abstract Puerto Ricans have a significantly higher prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than other racial and ethnic groups. PTSD can lead to co-morbid depression, which exacerbates the risk for compromised mental and physical health among older adults. Loneliness, a robust indicator of poor social support, is likely to worsen the dysphoric symptoms of PTSD and increase the risks of depression. However, few studies have focused on the moderating role of loneliness on the association between post-traumatic stress and depression. This study examines the association between post-traumatic stress and depression and whether such an association differs by loneliness among older Puerto Ricans. Data were collected from 304 Puerto Ricans aged 60-81 living in the Greater Boston area who responded to questionnaires in a survey. We used ordinary least squares regression to examine the association between post-traumatic stress, loneliness, and depression. We found that post-traumatic stress was significantly associated with higher levels of depression; however, the association was contingent on experiences of loneliness. The association between post-traumatic stress and depression was stronger for those experiencing a higher degree of loneliness. Findings underscored the role that loneliness plays in exacerbating the risk of developing co-morbid PTSD and depression among older Puerto Ricans. In working with older Puerto Ricans experiencing post-traumatic stress, it is important for mental health professionals to incorporate the assessment of loneliness and to prevent and reduce co-morbid depression by addressing loneliness through improving social skills, enhancing social support, and reducing maladaptive social cognition.


Criminologie ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frema Engel

Victims of crime suffer tremendous psychological damage as a result of the trauma that they experience. The effects can be totally debilitating and can destroy their lives. The author discusses the reactions, symptoms of acute stress and stages of recovery of crime victims. She also discusses post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), and the kind of help victims need to recover from their injuries. Finally, she suggests how mental health professionals in particular and society in general could better respond to crime victims.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukran Altun ◽  
Melanie Abas ◽  
Cathy Zimmerman ◽  
Louise M. Howard ◽  
Sian Oram

Mental health professionals have opportunities to intervene and provide care for trafficked people. Research shows that mental health problems – including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder – are prevalent among trafficked people, and that at least some trafficked people come into contact with secondary mental health services in England.


2021 ◽  
pp. 026455052110321
Author(s):  
Stephanie Grace Prost ◽  
Seana Golder ◽  
George E. Higgins ◽  
Carrie Pettus-Davis ◽  
Tanya Renn ◽  
...  

The current study aimed to identify the correlates of post-traumatic stress among a sample of women on probation and parole with a history of victimization. Community-based sampling was used to recruit 406 women on probation and parole in Jefferson County, Kentucky. The post-traumatic stress diagnostic scale was used to measure three indicators of post-traumatic stress: post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis, symptom severity, and the number of life domains impacted by symptoms. Shaped by the comprehensive health seeking and coping paradigm, logistic and ordinary least squares regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between sociodemographic factors, criminal justice involvement, cumulative victimization, substance use, social support, material loss, homelessness, and post-traumatic stress. Models identifying correlates of post-traumatic stress accounted for between 18.6% and 26% of the variance and point to critical opportunities for intervention surrounding the dynamic factors of recent intimate partner violence and material loss. Targeting these important factors during community supervision is anticipated to decrease post-traumatic stress and increase the likelihood of success under criminal justice system supervision.


2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-106
Author(s):  
Muhammad Tahir Khalily ◽  
Anna Paulina Wota ◽  
Brian Hallahan

AbstractObjective: This study explores unrecognised symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals with a range of psychiatric disorders in the absence of traumatic events. We also examine the association between PTSD symptoms, social interaction with peers and therapeutic alliance with mental health professionals.Method: A purposive sample of 120 adults consecutively referred to the psychology department from September 2008 to September 2010 was included in this study. We used the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI-2) to ascertain the presence of PTSD symptoms, social interaction levels and treatment alliance with health professionals.Results: Individuals previously undiagnosed with PTSD, referred without any noted traumatic event had high levels of symptoms related to PTSD, as measured by the PK scale of the MMPI-2. The PK scale was significantly correlated with several MMPI-2 clinical scales, the Social Introversion Scale (Si) and the Treatment Alliance Scale (TRT) (p < 0.001).Conclusion: This study demonstrated the presence of symptoms related to PTSD in individuals with a range of psychiatric disorders despite the absence of reported trauma. The presence of symptoms related to PTSD may be associated with an indirect negative impact on social contacts and a poorer therapeutic alliance with mental health professionals. Investigating symptoms of PTSD during a psychological assessment even when trauma is not the presenting complaint is merited in most cases.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 635
Author(s):  
Isabella Giulia Franzoi ◽  
Antonella Granieri ◽  
Maria Domenica Sauta ◽  
Monica Agnesone ◽  
Marco Gonella ◽  
...  

The psychological impact of the pandemic on healthcare workers has been assessed worldwide, but there are limited data on how mental health professionals (MHPs) have been affected. Thus, this paper aims to investigate anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and burnout in a sample of MHPs. We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study on 167 participants: 56 MHPs, 57 physicians working closely with COVID-19 patients, and 54 physicians not working closely with such patients. MHPs reported good overall mental health. Most MHPs reported no post-traumatic stress, and their scores were significantly lower compared to HPs working closely with COVID-19 patients. MHPs’ hyperarousal scores were also significantly lower compared to HPs working closely with COVID-19 patients, while their intrusion scores were statistically significantly lower than those of all other professionals. Multivariable logistic regressions showed that MHPs had lower odds of exhibiting state anxiety and low personal accomplishment compared to HPs not working closely with COVID-19 patients. In sum, MHPs seem to show almost preserved mental health. Thus, given the high mental healthcare demand during a pandemic, it would be useful to rely on these professionals, especially for structuring interventions to improve and support the mental health of the general population and other healthcare workers.


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