Cultural Variations in Resilience Capacity and Posttraumatic Stress: A Tri-Cultural Comparison

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 273-295
Author(s):  
Ping Zheng ◽  
Matt J. Gray ◽  
Wen-Jie Duan ◽  
Samuel M. Y. Ho ◽  
Mian Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Trauma Survivors ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Cultural Variations ◽  
Resilience Scale ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Resilience Capacity

Resilience capacity has been associated with individuals’ flexibility and adaptability in responding to potential trauma. Culture-related appraisals influence not only interpretations of etiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and perception of severity of PTSD symptoms but also flexible coping strategies. However, adequate research of the mechanisms on how culture may affect the relationship between resilience and PTSD does not yet exist. The present study focused on whether and how culture (America, Hong Kong, and Mainland China) moderated the relationship between resilience capacity and severity of posttraumatic distress. Data were collected at three research sites (America, Hong Kong, and Mainland China) where 558 trauma survivors were recruited. Measures included the Life Events Checklist ( LEC-5), the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 ( PCL-5), and the Revised Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale ( CD-RISC-R). The results of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that American participants were more resilient than the participants in Hong Kong and Mainland China. The results of multiple regression indicated that frequency of exposure to trauma was a weaker predictor of severity of PTSD symptoms at high versus low levels of resilience capacity. The results also indicated a weaker moderating effect of Hong Kong versus American culture on the relation between resilience capacity and PTSD. This pilot study highlighted East–West cultural differences in the baselines of resilience capacity and posttraumatic stress and may motivate clinicians and researchers to reevaluate Western diagnostic criteria to psychological trauma conceptualization and treatment for non-Western populations.

An Exploration of the Relationship Between Culture and Resilience Capacity in Trauma Survivors

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 475-489
Author(s):  
Ping Zheng ◽  
Matt J. Gray ◽  
Wen-Jie Duan ◽  
Samuel M. Y. Ho ◽  
Mian Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mainland China ◽  
Trauma Survivors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Dialectical Thinking ◽  
Cultural Variables ◽  
Self Construal ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Resilience Capacity

Resilience capacity has been found to be associated with individuals’ flexibility and adaptability when dealing with adversity-related stress. Previous research suggested that resilience capacity may play an important role in moderating the relationships between exposure to traumatic events and severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and cultural factors may be associated with that process. However, adequate research of the mechanisms on how culture may relate to the relationship between resilience and PTSD is still lacking. The present study attempted to explore potential mediators associated with the relationship between culture and resilience capacity among trauma survivors and focused on the potential mediating associations of cultural variables (independent/interdependent self-construal, dialectical thinking, and familism). Levels of culture-related variables among three cultural regions (America, Hong Kong, and Mainland China) were assessed and analyzed. The results of a bootstrapping analysis indicated that independent self-construal and dialectical thinking each significantly mediated the relationship between culture and resilience capacity. Cultural and clinical implications of these findings and suggestions for future research were explored.

Social Support, Emotional Intelligence, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole L. Hofman ◽  
Austin M. Hahn ◽  
Christine K. Tirabassi ◽  
Raluca M. Gaher
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Exposure to traumatic events and the associated risk of developing Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms is a significant and overlooked concern in the college population. It is important for current research to identify potential protective factors associated with the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms unique to this population. Emotional intelligence and perceived social support are two identified protective factors that influence the association between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD symptomology. The current study examined the mediating role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. Participants included 443 trauma-exposed university students who completed online questionnaires. The results of this study indicated that social support mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and reported PTSD symptoms. Thus, emotional intelligence is significantly associated with PTSD symptoms and social support may play an integral role in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD. The current study is the first to investigate the role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. These findings have important treatment and prevention implications with regard to PTSD.

scholarly journals Facets of psychopathy in relation to trauma-exposure and posttraumatic stress symptomology in a sample of incarcerated male offenders

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 244-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Woodfield ◽  
Katie Dhingra ◽  
Daniel Boduszek ◽  
Agata Debowska
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Potentially Traumatic Events ◽  
Secondary Psychopathy ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Male Prisoners

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating role of psychopathy facets on the relationship between traumatic exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology. Design/methodology/approach Participants were male prisoners incarcerated in the UK. Findings The analysis revealed differential associations between the two facets of psychopathy, with potentially traumatic events and symptoms of PTSD. Specifically, neither primary psychopathy nor trauma exposure were significantly related to PTSD, while secondary psychopathy was positively and significantly related with PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, the effect of trauma exposure on PTSD was found to depend on the level of secondary psychopathy. More specifically, trauma exposure was strongly and positively associated with PTSD symptoms for low levels of secondary psychopathy and negatively associated with PTSD symptomology for individuals with high levels of secondary psychopathy. Originality/value The findings clarify linkages among psychopathy facets, trauma, and PTSD, and extend the understanding of the presentation of PTSD in male prisoners.

Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Severity Mediates the Relationship Between Military Sexual Trauma and Tension Reduction Behaviors in Male and Female Veterans

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051986435
Author(s):  
Susan M. Hannan ◽  
Katie B. Thomas ◽  
Carolyn B. Allard
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Sexual Trauma ◽  
Military Sexual Trauma ◽  
Female Veterans ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Tension Reduction ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship

Numerous studies attest to the prevalence and complex negative consequences associated with military sexual trauma (MST). However, relatively less is known about male survivors and about the interaction of psychological problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and emotion management difficulties following MST. The current study examined the path of psychological distress following MST in both male and female veterans. We predicted that (a) history of MST would predict more severe PTSD symptoms, which in turn would predict greater use of dysfunctional emotion management strategies (specifically, tension reduction behaviors) and that (b) PTSD symptoms would mediate the relationship between history of MST and tension reduction behaviors. Finally, we explored whether the indirect (i.e., mediating) effect was moderated by gender. Data were obtained from pretreatment paper and pencil assessments administered as part of standard clinical care from 338 veterans seeking treatment at a Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health specialty clinic. Veterans who endorsed MST experienced more severe PTSD symptoms and greater reported use of tension reduction behaviors. Bootstrapping testing the indirect effect revealed that PTSD symptoms mediated the relationship between history of MST and tension reduction behaviors. An exploratory moderated mediation analysis found that the indirect effect did not differ as a function of gender. PTSD symptoms appear to mediate the relationship between MST and tension reduction behaviors in veterans, regardless of gender. While previous research has suggested that civilian men report a greater number of tension reduction behaviors following a sexual assault compared to civilian women, we did not find the same gender differences among veterans. These results may provide support for using trauma-focused treatment even when MST survivors are reporting high-risk tension reduction behaviors.

scholarly journals A longitudinal study of several potential mediators of the relationship between child maltreatment and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad E. Shenk ◽  
Frank W. Putnam ◽  
Joseph R. Rausch ◽  
James L. Peugh ◽  
Jennie G. Noll
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Private Events ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Sinus Arrhythmia ◽  
Maltreated Children ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractChild maltreatment is a reliable predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, not all maltreated children develop PTSD symptoms, suggesting that additional mediating variables explain how certain maltreated children develop PTSD symptoms and others do not. The current study tested three potential mediators of the relationship between child maltreatment and subsequent PTSD symptoms: (a) respiratory sinus arrhythmia reactivity, (b) cortisol reactivity, and (c) experiential avoidance, or the unwillingness to experience painful private events, such as thoughts and memories. Maltreated (n = 51) and nonmaltreated groups (n = 59) completed a stressor paradigm, a measure of experiential avoidance, and a semistructured interview of PTSD symptoms. One year later, participants were readministered the PTSD symptoms interview. Results of a multiple mediator model showed the set of potential mediators mediated the relationship between child maltreatment and subsequent PTSD symptoms. However, experiential avoidance was the only significant, specific indirect effect, demonstrating that maltreated children avoiding painful private events after the abuse were more likely to develop a range of PTSD symptoms 1 year later. These results highlight the importance of experiential avoidance in the development of PTSD symptoms for maltreated children, and implications for secondary prevention and clinical intervention models are discussed.

Distant Memories

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 1049-1052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy M. Kenny ◽  
Richard A. Bryant ◽  
Derrick Silove ◽  
Mark Creamer ◽  
Meaghan O'Donnell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Vantage Point ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Observer Perspective ◽  
Trauma Memory ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
The Relationship

Adopting an observer perspective to recall trauma memories may function as a form of avoidance that maintains posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We conducted a prospective study to analyze the relationship between memory vantage point and PTSD symptoms. Participants (N = 947) identified the vantage point of their trauma memory and reported PTSD symptoms within 4 weeks of the trauma; 730 participants repeated this process 12 months later. Initially recalling the trauma from an observer vantage point was related to more severe PTSD symptoms at that time and 12 months later. Shifting from a field to an observer perspective a year after trauma was associated with greater PTSD severity at 12 months. These results suggest that remembering trauma from an observer vantage point is related to both immediate and ongoing PTSD symptoms.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Working Alliance and Symptom Improvement in Cognitive Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther T. Beierl ◽  
Hannah Murray ◽  
Milan Wiedemann ◽  
Emma Warnock-Parkes ◽  
Jennifer Wild ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Working Alliance ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Symptom Change ◽  
Symptom Scores ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Working alliance has been shown to predict outcome of psychological treatments in multiple studies. Conversely, changes in outcome scores have also been found to predict working alliance ratings.Objective: To assess the temporal relationships between working alliance and outcome in 230 patients receiving trauma-focused cognitive behavioral treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Methods: Ratings of working alliance were made by both the patient and therapist after sessions 1, 3, and 5 of a course of Cognitive Therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD). Autoregressive, cross-lagged panel models were used to examine whether working alliance predicted PTSD symptom severity at the next assessment point and vice versa. Linear regressions tested the relationship between alliance and treatment outcome.Results: Both patients' and therapists' working alliance ratings after session 1 predicted PTSD symptom scores at the end of treatment, controlling for baseline scores. At each assessment point, higher therapist working alliance was associated with lower PTSD symptoms. Crossed-lagged associations were found for therapist-rated alliance, but not for patient-rated alliance: higher therapists' alliance ratings predicted lower PTSD symptom scores at the next assessment point. Similarly, lower PTSD symptoms predicted higher therapist working alliance ratings at the next assessment point. Ruminative thinking was negatively related to therapists' alliance ratings.Conclusions: Working alliance at the start of treatment predicted treatment outcome in patients receiving CT-PTSD and may be an important factor in setting the necessary conditions for effective treatment. For therapists, there was a reciprocal relationship between working alliance and PTSD symptom change in their patients during treatment, suggesting that their alliance ratings predicted symptom change, but were also influenced by patients' symptom change.

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