The Impact of Healthy Parenting As a Protective Factor for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adulthood: A Case-Control Study

AbstractIntroductionA large body of evidence indicates a significant and morbid association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Few studies, however, have addressed the range of trauma in this medical population, from massive heart attack, to defibrillator shock to previous interpersonal aggression.ObjectiveThe main objective of this study was to examine the nature of trauma associated with the development of PTSD in CVD patients. More precisely, we were interested in knowing if trauma was medical in nature and whether cumulative trauma resulted in PTSD.MethodsWe performed a 1:3 case-control study. The authors compared CVD patients diagnosed with PTSD (n=37) to those with adjustment disorder (n=111) in terms of trauma/stressor types and medical and demographic characteristics.ResultsHalf (51%) of CVD patients suffering from PTSD had endured a medical trauma, 35% an external (non-medical) trauma, and 14% both. There were no significant differences with CVD patients diagnosed with adjustment disorder, 40% of them having experienced a medical stressor, 40% an external (non-medical) stressor and 20% both. Cumulative trauma was seen in only 19% of CVD patients suffering from PTSD. Traditional risk factors (female sex, younger age) were not prominent in CVD patients with PTSD as compared to those with adjustment disorder. Cases were, however, significantly more likely to have psychiatric antecedents and recent surgical interventions.ConclusionsBy uncovering characteristics of PTSD patients/trauma in CVD patients, this work will serve future research and clinical initiatives to better screen at-risk patients or at-risk medical situations.

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Association between resilience and posttraumatic stress disorder among Brazilian victims of urban violence: a cross-sectional case-control study

Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy ◽

10.1590/2237-6089-2016-0070 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 116-123 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Stefania Pigatto Teche ◽

Alcina Juliana Soares Barros ◽

Regis Goulart Rosa ◽

Luciano Pinto Guimarães ◽

Kariny Larissa Cordini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Childhood Trauma ◽

Defense Mechanisms ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Case Control ◽

Urban Violence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Resilience Scale ◽

Control Study

Abstract Introduction This study investigated the association between resilience and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Brazilian victims of urban violence. It also compared defense mechanisms, parental bonding, and childhood trauma between those who developed PTSD and those who did not. Methods This cross-sectional case-control study included 66 adult subjects exposed to recent urban violence in southern Brazil – 33 with PTSD and 33 healthy controls matched by sex and age – who were administered the Resilience Scale, Defense Style Questionnaire, Parental Bonding Instrument, and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. The statistical tests used were the McNemar test for categorical variables, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for continuous asymmetric variables, and the paired Student t-test for continuous symmetric variables. Results The PTSD group showed lower total Resilience Scale scores compared with controls (128.4±20.7 vs. 145.8±13.1, respectively; p = 0.01), along with a lower ability to solve situations and lower personal values that give meaning to life (p = 0.019). They also had lower rates of mature defense mechanisms (p < 0.001) and higher rates of emotional (p = 0.001) and physical (p = 0.003) abuse during childhood. Conclusion Lower levels of resilience, especially the ability to solve situations and having personal values that give meaning to life, immature defense mechanisms, and emotional and physical abuse in childhood are associated with PTSD in adult Brazilian victims of urban violence.

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Childbirth and Posttraumatic Stress Responses

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759.22.4.259 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 259-267 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Eelco Olde ◽

Rolf J. Kleber ◽

Onno van der Hart ◽

Victor J.M. Pop

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Rating Scales ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Experience ◽

Event Scale ◽

Self Rating ◽

The Impact

Childbirth has been identified as a possible traumatic experience, leading to traumatic stress responses and even to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current study investigated the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) in a group of women who recently gave birth (N = 435). In addition, a comparison was made between the original IES and the IES-R. The scale showed high internal consistency (α = 0.88). Using confirmatory factor analysis no support was found for a three-factor structure of an intrusion, an avoidance, and a hyperarousal factor. Goodness of fit was only reasonable, even after fitting one intrusion item on the hyperarousal scale. The IES-R correlated significantly with scores on depression and anxiety self-rating scales, as well as with scores on a self-rating scale of posttraumatic stress disorder. Although the IES-R can be used for studying posttraumatic stress reactions in women who recently gave birth, the original IES proved to be a better instrument compared to the IES-R. It is concluded that adding the hyperarousal scale to the IES-R did not make the scale stronger.

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