Use of Social Media Among Individuals Who Suffer From Post-Traumatic Stress

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Salzmann-Erikson ◽  
Duygu Hiçdurmaz
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Social Difficulties ◽  
Care Activity ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
The Individual

Suffering from post-traumatic stress impacts and restricts the life situation of the individual on several levels, not least regarding social difficulties. Social media on the Internet facilitate new possibilities for interaction and communication. Earlier research has demonstrated that people use social media to seek support and to discuss health-related issues. The current study aimed to describe how individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress use social media to convey authentic narratives of their daily lives, including illness, and further, to analyze the content of this media use. The data comprised YouTube videos, blogs, and forum discussions. Five categories cover the findings: (a) structure of the narrative, (b) narrating the trauma, (c) restrictions in life, (d) strategies in everyday living, and (e) online interaction. We stress that sharing narratives online facilitates a “verbalizing” of the life conditions of the sufferers and can be used as a self-care activity.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Technology Use and Problem Technology Use and Potential Psychosocial Mechanisms: Population-Based Telephone Survey in Community Adults During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Yang ◽  
Benjamin H. K. Yip ◽  
Eric K. P. Lee ◽  
Dexing Zhang ◽  
Samuel Y. S. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Social Media Addiction ◽  
Emotional Loneliness ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Internet Games ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Background: Although digital technology enables people to stay connected during COVID-19, protracted periods of isolation, crisis-induced stress, and technology-based activity may intensify problem technology use (PTU), such as social media addiction (SMA) and Internet gaming disorder (IGD).Objective: This study aimed to characterize the patterns and levels of SMA and IGD during COVID-19 in the general population of Hong Kong. We also tested the associations between prolonged use of social media/Internet games and SMA/IGD and the mediation effects of psychosocial statuses (i.e., loneliness, boredom, and post-traumatic stress) on these associations.Methods: A population-based random telephone survey was conducted in community adults in May 2020; 658 social media users and 177 Internet gamers were identified. A structured questionnaire, including the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder IGD Symptoms Checklist, the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale, Multidimensional State Boredom Scale, and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, was used. Time spent on social media and Internet games during and before COVID-19 was also asked.Results: There were 66.2–81.8% increases in time use of social media or Internet games during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 self-reported information of the participants. The estimated IGD prevalence rate in the gamers based on the sample weighted to the age distribution and gender ratio of the Hong Kong population was 9.7%, higher than that of pre-COVID-19 research. Age, marital status, education levels, time use of social media, COVID-19-related post-traumatic stress, boredom, and emotional loneliness were significantly associated with SMA, while time spent on Internet games, boredom, and emotional loneliness was significantly associated with IGD. Boredom positively mediated the associations between time spent on social media/Internet games and SMA/IGD, whereas social loneliness negatively mediated the association between time spent on social media and SMA.Conclusion: These findings highlight the concern of prolonged use of digital platforms during COVID-19 and its role as a “double-edged sword” for psychosocial wellbeing and behavioral health during COVID-19. It also highlights a need to monitor and prevent PTU in the general public. The observed psychosocial mechanisms are modifiable and can inform the design of evidence-based prevention programs for PTU.

scholarly journals Variations in Circadian Rhythmicity and Students’ Gender-Related Psychological Conditions during the COVID-19 Lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 355
Author(s):  
Ikram Sabaoui ◽  
Said Lotfi ◽  
Mohammed Talbi
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
School Students ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Psychological Conditions ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Current Psychological

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced around the world, new student lifestyles have had an impact on their daily behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine post-traumatic stress associated with the initial COVID-19 crisis in students (N = 280) with a mean age of 13 ± 1.70 and to determine the relationship between their reported daily behaviors in terms of their gender. The study was conducted primarily in Casablanca and Marrakech, the two cities most affected by the pandemic at the time of the study in Morocco in May 2020. Our sample consists of 133 high school students and 147 middle school students, 83.6% of whom are females. Students were asked to answer questions based on an Activity Biorhythm Questionnaire, the Post-Traumatic Stress Scale (Weathers et al., 1993), the Hamilton Scale (Hamilton, 1960), the Worry Domains Questionnaire (Tallis, Eyzenck, Mathews, 1992), and the Visual Analog Scale of Moods (VASM) (Stern et al., 1997). The results obtained confirm that there is a significant relationship between the circadian rhythm of some variables and gender in some activities such as academic study (p < 0.05) and TV and Internet use (p < 0.05) and was highly significant for physical activity (p = 0.001), while others are not significant in relation to other schedules of the same variables or in relation to others. Likewise, for the psychological conditions, significant relationships with mood states and depressive tendencies were confirmed. In lockdown, the students’ daily lives underwent changes in circadian rhythm and lifestyle. Therefore, it is necessary to treat their current psychological problems and avoid future complications.

Treating post-traumatic stress disorder in the ‘real world’: evaluation of a specialist trauma service and adaptations to standard treatment approaches

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damon Lab ◽  
Ines Santos ◽  
Felicity de Zulueta
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Trauma Survivors ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Trauma Service ◽  
Social Difficulties ◽  
Post Traumatic

Aims and MethodTo evaluate the effectiveness of treatment at the Traumatic Stress Service (TSS) by comparing pre- and post-treatment scores on patient self-report measures. Through a questionnaire survey, to explore therapists' views of problems presenting in addition to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and how, as a result, they adapted their approach to trauma work.ResultsTherapists reported that their patients present with a range of complex problems, and self-report measures show that patients suffer particularly high levels of psychopathology. Therapists identified a number of adaptations to trauma-focused work to deal with these additional problems. Of the 112 patients who completed therapy, 43% filled in pre- and post-treatment questionnaire measures. Analysis showed clinically and statistically significant improvements in levels of PTSD, depression and social functioning.Clinical ImplicationsThe typical presentation of trauma survivors is often not ‘simple’ PTSD, but PTSD resulting from chronic and multiple traumas and complicated by additional psychological and social difficulties. Adaptations to trauma-focused work can successfully treat such ‘complex’ PTSD.

scholarly journals The Nature of Post-Traumatic Stress in Life-Threatening Diseases

Vestnik RFFI ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 49-58
Author(s):  
Natalia E. Kharlamenkova ◽  
Daria A. Nikitina
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Paranoid Ideation ◽  
Special Configuration ◽  
Psychological Study ◽  
Psychopathological Symptoms ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Individual ◽  
High Level

This article presents the results of theoretical and empirical study of the psychological problems, which are arisen on the influence of high-intensity stressors on a personality. The post-traumatic stress, as a delayed complex response to a stress- or – a life-threatening disease, is considered as one of such consequences. On a sample of people (n = 39) diagnosed with meningioma (a benign tumor of the arachnoid mater), in the post-surgical period, a comprehensive psychological study was conducted using the interviewing and testing methods. The authors verified the hypothesis of a special configuration of personality characteristics and psychopathological symptoms at different levels of post-traumatic stress (PTS), caused by the reaction of the individual to the diagnosis of meningioma. The investigation demonstrates that at the high level of PTS such personality traits as depression, emotional lability, shyness and irritability are diagnosed, that are the most likely prerequisites for the development of psychopathological symptoms – depression, anxiety, paranoid ideation and psychoticism. It is concluded that the severe experience of post-traumatic stress, caused by the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness, systematically manifests itself at all levels of the individual functioning – organismal, psychological and social.

scholarly journals Health-related quality of life and well-being in parents of infants and toddlers with cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janelle Monique Morhun ◽  
N.M. Racine ◽  
G.M.T. Guilcher ◽  
L.M. Tomfohr-Madsen ◽  
F.S.M. Schulte
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Active Cancer

Background: The unique psychosocial needs of parents and caregivers of young children with cancer are poorly understood.  The aims of this study were to examine: 1) the health-related quality of life (HRQL), stress, and psychological distress in parents of young children (0-4 years) diagnosed with cancer, and 2) the associations between parent psychosocial functioning and child treatment characteristics. Methods: Parents (N= 35) with a child (19 males, 54.3%) aged 0-48 months (M= 31.06 months) who were on active cancer therapy were recruited. Parents completed questionnaires related to demographics, parent HRQL, parenting stress, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and parent psychological distress. Results: Parents reported clinically elevated parenting stress (5.88%), post-traumatic stress symptoms (18.18%), and psychological distress (21.87%). Compared to population norms, parents reported lower HRQL in the vitality (t= 5.37, p< .001), mental health (t= 4.02, p< .001), role limitation/emotional (t= 3.52, p< .001), and general health (t= 2.25, p= .025) domains. Number of days since diagnosis (β= -.35, p= .030), child surgery (β= .360, p= .023), and parent social functioning (β= -.40, p= .009) predicted parent psychological distress F(3,24)= 9.11, p< .001, R2 =.53. Conclusions: A subset of parents of young children on active cancer treatment experience clinically-elevated psychosocial symptoms. Having a child who undergoes surgery and having poor social connections put parents at risk of experiencing higher psychological distress. Supports that focus on preventing the emergence of clinically significant distress should focus on parents of young children with cancer who are most at risk of poor outcomes.

Characterizing the effects of sertraline in post-traumatic stress disorder

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 661-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. T. DAVIDSON ◽  
L. R. LANDERMAN ◽  
G. M. FARFEL ◽  
C. M. CLARY
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Emotional Upset ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Spectrum Effect

Background. Sertraline has a proved efficacy in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it is unknown which symptoms respond or in what sequence this occurs. Such information might be useful clinically and heuristically.Method. The study examined the effects of sertraline on the individual symptoms of PTSD. It also examined whether early changes in anger explained drug-induced change in other symptoms over time. Mixed models analysis was applied to datasets from two 12-week placebo-controlled trials of sertraline. A validated self-rating scale (DTS) was used to assess treatment efficacy.Results. Sertraline was superior to placebo on 15 of 17 symptoms, especially in the numbing and hyperarousal clusters. A strong effect was found on anger from week 1, which partly explained the subsequent effects of sertraline on other symptoms, some of which began to show significantly greater response to drug than to placebo at week 6 (emotional upset at reminders, anhedonia, detachment, numbness, hypervigilance) and week 10 (avoidance of activities, foreshortened future).Conclusions. Sertraline exercises a broad spectrum effect in PTSD. Effects are more apparent on the psychological rather than somatic symptoms of PTSD, with an early modulation of anger and, perhaps, other affects, preceding improvement in other symptoms.

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