scholarly journals Cross-Lagged Association Between Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Perceived Centrality of a Terrorist Attack

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Alve Glad ◽  
Nikolai Olavi Czajkowski ◽  
Grete Dyb ◽  
Gertrud S. Hafstad
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Event Centrality ◽  
Panel Model ◽  
Longitudinal Association

Numerous cross-sectional studies have found a positive association between level of event centrality and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the temporal course of this relationship is unclear. We aimed to investigate the concurrent and longitudinal association between event centrality and symptoms of PTSD in a trauma-exposed sample. In total, 319 survivors of the 2011 massacre on Utøya island, Norway, were interviewed 14 to 15 and 30 to 32 months after the event. A cross-lagged panel model was used to explore the association between event centrality and PTSD symptoms over time. Level of event centrality was significantly associated with concurrent PTSD symptoms at both time points. PTSD symptoms were significantly associated with prospective levels of event centrality but not vice versa. This finding indicates that the degree to which survivors perceive a terrorist attack as central to their identity may be an effect, not a cause, of their PTSD symptoms.

Examining unique and prospective relationships among self-injurious thoughts and behaviors and posttraumatic stress disorder: a network analysis in two trauma-exposed samples

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Elizabeth G. Spitzer ◽  
Natasha Benfer ◽  
Kelly L. Zuromski ◽  
Brian P. Marx ◽  
Tracy K. Witte
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Beliefs ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
And Behaviors

Abstract Background As self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITB) remain a pressing public health concern, research continues to focus on risk factors, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Network analysis provides a novel approach to examining the PTSD-SITB relationship. This study utilized the network approach to elucidate how individual PTSD symptoms may drive and maintain SITB. Methods We estimated cross-sectional networks in two samples of trauma-exposed adults (Sample 1: N = 349 adults; Sample 2: N = 1307 Veterans) to identify PTSD symptoms that may act as bridges to SITB. Additionally, we conducted a cross-lagged panel network in Sample 2 to further clarify the temporal relationship between PTSD symptoms and SITB during a 2-year follow-up. Finally, in both samples, we conducted logistic regressions to examine the utility of PTSD symptoms in prospectively predicting SITB, over a 15-day period (Sample 1) and over a 2-year period (Sample 2), allowing us to examine both short- and long-term prediction. Results Two PTSD symptoms (i.e. negative beliefs and risky behaviors) emerged as highly influential on SITB in both cross-sectional networks. In the cross-lagged panel network, distorted blame emerged as highly influential on SITB over time. Finally, risky behaviors, unwanted memories, and psychological distress served as the strongest predictors of SITB across the two samples. Conclusions Overall, our results suggest that treatments targeting negative beliefs and risky behaviors may prevent SITB in community and Veteran populations, whereas treatments targeting distorted blame and unwanted memories may help reduce SITB for individuals with a history of combat trauma.

scholarly journals COVID-19-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Jordanian Nurses during the pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Mohammad Qutishat ◽  
Loai Abu Sharour ◽  
Kholoud Al-Damery ◽  
Ibtisam Al Harthy ◽  
Sulaiman Al-Sabei
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Demographic Questionnaire ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
One Way Anova

Abstract Background: The 2019 coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) has been declared a pandemic and has greatly affected both patients and healthcare workers. This study was conducted to explore the extent of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experiences among nurses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan. Method: This study used a cross-sectional study design with a convenience sampling approach. A sample of 259 participants completed the study questionnaires, including a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5, between May and July 2020. Result: The prevalence of PTSD among the study participants was 37.1%. The majority of study participants who exhibited PTSD symptoms presented the lowest level of PTSD (17%). The results indicated significant differences in overall COVID-19-related PTSD according to the participant’s age (F = 14.750, P = .000), gender (F = 30.340, P = .000), level of education (F = 51.983, P =.000), years of experience (F = 52.33, P = .000), place of work (F = 19.593, P = .000), and working position (F = 11.597, P = .000), as determined by one-way ANOVA. Conclusion: Nurses must be qualified and accredited to cope with reported PTSD cases and their consequences in relation to COVID-19 outbreaks. A close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team is required to recognise, manage, and encourage safety literacy among health care professionals and individuals diagnosed with or suspected of PTSD due to COVID-19 outbreaks or any other viral outbreaks.

Posttraumatic Stress and Youth Violence Perpetration: a Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 88-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Aebi ◽  
M. Mohler-Kuo ◽  
S. Barra ◽  
U. Schnyder ◽  
T. Maier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Youth Violence ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Specific Symptom ◽  
Reaction Index

AbstractBackgroundExposure to trauma was found to increase later violent behaviours in youth but the underlying psychopathological mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to test whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is related to violent behaviours and whether PTSD symptoms mediate the relationship between the number of trauma experiences and violent behaviours in adolescents.MethodThe present study is based on a nationally representative sample of 9th grade students with 3434 boys (mean age = 15.5 years) and 3194 girls (mean age = 15.5 years) in Switzerland. Lifetime exposure to traumatic events and current PTSD were assessed by the use of the University of California at Los Angeles Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (UCLA-RI). Logistic regression was used to assess associations between PTSD and violent behaviours, and structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the meditation effects of PTSD.ResultsPTSD (boys: OR = 7.9; girls: OR = 5.5) was strongly related to violent behaviours. PTSD symptoms partially mediated the association between trauma exposure and violent behaviours in boys but not in girls. PTSD symptoms of dysphoric arousal were positively related to violent behaviours in both genders. Anxious arousal symptoms were negatively related to violent behaviours in boys but not in girls.ConclusionsIn addition to trauma, posttraumatic stress is related to violent outcomes. However, specific symptom clusters of PTSD seem differently related to violent behaviours and they do not fully explain a trauma-violence link. Specific interventions to improve emotion regulation skills may be useful particularly in boys with elevated PTSD dysphoric arousal in order to break up the cycle of violence.

Posttraumatic Anger, Recalled Peritraumatic Emotions, and PTSD in Victims of Violent Crime

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (17) ◽  
pp. 3561-3579 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. J. Kunst ◽  
F. W. Winkel ◽  
S. Bogaerts
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Threat Perceptions

A mixed cross-sectional and longitudinal design was employed to explore the association between posttraumatic anger and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; symptoms) in victims of civilian violence. It was speculated that this relationship is mainly due to concurrent recalled peritraumatic emotions. Such emotions may be interpreted to result from anger-rooted threat perceptions and to share similarities with posttraumatic intrusion symptoms. In addition, predictors of PTSD maintenance were investigated. Cross-sectional data indicated that posttraumatic anger and several indices of PTSD were highly interconnected. Recalled peritraumatic emotions partly accounted for the relation between posttraumatic anger and posttraumatic intrusions ( n = 177). Only posttraumatic intrusions were associated with PTSD symptom persistence at follow-up ( n = 56). Findings were discussed in light of study limitations and directions for future research.

scholarly journals Associations of Embeddedness and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among 9/11 Survivors

Epidemiologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 608-620
Author(s):  
Meghan K. Hamwey ◽  
Cristina D. Pollari ◽  
Sukhminder Osahan ◽  
Sascha K. Garrey ◽  
Felix M. Ortega ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Social Lives ◽  
Chronic Ptsd

Following exposures to traumatic events on 9/11, survivors have reported heightened levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Multiple factors contribute to both the exacerbation and amelioration of PTSD symptoms, including social integration and support. This cross-sectional study aimed to understand and identify associations of embeddedness and psychosocial risk factors by PTSD status for survivors and first responders of 9/11. Results indicate that those with chronic PTSD had the lowest prevalence of both social and emotional embeddedness and many who reported no PTSD symptoms following 9/11 reported moderate levels of social and emotional embeddedness. Overall, our findings suggest those individuals who reported little to no PTSD also reported the most social/emotional embeddedness; whereas those individuals who report greater or chronic PTSD report the least social/emotional embeddedness. As such, it may be beneficial for clinicians across multiple care disciplines and contexts to consider and address the social lives and needs of those individuals experiencing symptoms of PTSD to ensure their emotional and physical needs are truly being met.

Investigating the Moderating Role of Culture on the Relationship Between Appraisals and Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1000-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Bernardi ◽  
Laura Jobson
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Cultural Psychology ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Blame ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
The Relationship

Appraisals play a central role in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Accumulating cross-cultural psychology research has demonstrated that culture affects the way in which individuals appraise an experience. However, there is little empirical work considering the influence of culture on appraisals in PTSD. In this study, we investigated the influence of culture on trauma-related appraisals and PTSD symptoms, with a particular focus on appraisals related to control. Trauma-related appraisals and PTSD symptoms were assessed in European Australian ( n = 71) and Asian Australian ( n = 73) adult trauma survivors. The group (European Australian vs. Asian Australian) was found to moderate the relationship between control, responsibility, and agency-focused appraisals (mental defeat, mastery, present control, and self-blame) and PTSD symptoms. Findings suggest that the relationship between these appraisal types and PTSD is influenced by the extent to which an individual emphasizes the independent self-construal. The cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences being drawn from the findings. Implications for culturally informed PTSD models and treatments are discussed.

scholarly journals PREVALENCE, STRUCTURE AND PREDICTORS OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER SYMPTOMS IN CROATIAN PATIENTS FOLLOWING BREAST CANCER

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra ◽  
Mara Šimunović ◽  
Damir Ljubotina
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Radical Mastectomy ◽  
Partial Mastectomy ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Female Population

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in female population worldwide. In the psychological response to the disease some patients may develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and structure of PTSD symptoms in Croatian patients following breast cancer and to identify some medical and psychological predictors of severity of these symptoms.Subjects and methods: 97 women, who were one month up to six years post-completion of all primary cancer therapy,participated in the study. The present research is cross-sectional with a mixed method approach. For the screening of PTSD symptoms PTSD Checklist - Civilian Version (Weathers et al. 1991) was used, with two open-ended questions added.Results: Using the cutoff method, 21.6 % participants met criteria for PTSD diagnosis. Qualitative analysis indicated future-oriented intrusive thoughts about reoccurrence of cancer, multidimensional nature of cancer as stressors, and hyperarousal symptoms related to internal stimuli. In hierarchical multiple regression analyses, identified predictors accounted for 35.2% of variability in PCL-C score.PTSD severity was predicted by stressfulness appraisal of the disease (β=0.45; p<0.001), external health locus of control (β=0.17; p<0.05) and self-appraisal of coping with cancer (β=-0.17; p<0.05). Participants who underwent radical mastectomy (M=44.41, SD=15.5) showed higher levels of PTSD than participants who had partial mastectomy (M=33.47, SD=13.68).Conclusion: Prevalence of PTSD symptoms obtained in this study should be considered as significant, taking into account the lifetime prevalence of PTSD in the general female population. Psychological assessment of women following breast cancer should more often include an assessment of posttraumatic stress reactions. Furthermore, results are in the line with issues of utilizing basic concept of PTSD in the oncology setting, and possible need of reconceptualization of cancer-related PTSD.

Learning and Consolidation of Verbal Declarative Memory in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2010 ◽  
Vol 218 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Slawomira J. Diener ◽  
Herta Flor ◽  
Michèle Wessa
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Declarative Memory ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms

Impairments in declarative memory have been reported in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fragmentation of explicit trauma-related memory has been assumed to impede the formation of a coherent memorization of the traumatic event and the integration into autobiographic memory. Together with a strong non-declarative memory that connects trauma reminders with a fear response the impairment in declarative memory is thought to be involved in the maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Fourteen PTSD patients, 14 traumatized subjects without PTSD, and 13 non-traumatized healthy controls (HC) were tested with the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) to assess verbal declarative memory. PTSD symptoms were assessed with the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale and depression with the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Several indices of the CVLT pointed to an impairment in declarative memory performance in PTSD, but not in traumatized persons without PTSD or HC. No group differences were observed if recall of memory after a time delay was set in relation to initial learning performance. In the PTSD group verbal memory performance correlated significantly with hyperarousal symptoms, after concentration difficulties were accounted for. The present study confirmed previous reports of declarative verbal memory deficits in PTSD. Extending previous results, we propose that learning rather than memory consolidation is impaired in PTSD patients. Furthermore, arousal symptoms may interfere with successful memory formation in PTSD.

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.

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