scholarly journals Validation of the Adapted Response to Stressful Experiences Scale (RSES-4) Among First Responders

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-312
Author(s):  
Warren N. Ponder ◽  
Elizabeth A. Prosek ◽  
Tempa Sherrill
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factor ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Model Fit ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Strength Based ◽  
Acceptable Model ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Stressful Experiences

First responders are continually exposed to trauma-related events. Resilience is evidenced as a protective factor for mental health among first responders. However, there is a lack of assessments that measure the construct of resilience from a strength-based perspective. The present study used archival data from a treatment-seeking sample of 238 first responders to validate the 22-item Response to Stressful Experiences Scale (RSES-22) and its abbreviated version, the RSES-4, with two confirmatory factor analyses. Using a subsample of 190 first responders, correlational analyses were conducted of the RSES-22 and RSES-4 with measures of depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and suicidality confirming convergent and criterion validity. The two confirmatory analyses revealed a poor model fit for the RSES-22; however, the RSES-4 demonstrated an acceptable model fit. Overall, the RSES-4 may be a reliable and valid measure of resilience for treatment-seeking first responder populations.

scholarly journals Traumatized Syrian Refugees with Ambiguous Loss: Predictors of Mental Distress

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3865
Author(s):  
Anna Renner ◽  
David Jäckle ◽  
Michaela Nagl ◽  
Anna Plexnies ◽  
Susanne Röhr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Ambiguous Loss ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Prolonged Grief ◽  
Boundary Ambiguity ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic

Refugees from war zones often have missing significant others. A loss without confirmation is described as an ambiguous loss. This physical absence with simultaneous mental persistence can be accompanied by economic, social or legal problems, boundary ambiguity (i.e., uncertainty about who belongs to the family system), and can have a negative impact on mental health. The aim of this study was to identify sociodemographic and loss-related predictors for prolonged grief, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and somatization in treatment-seeking Syrian refugees with post-traumatic stress symptoms in Germany experiencing ambiguous loss. For the present study, data were based on the treatment-seeking baseline sample of the “Sanadak” randomized-controlled trial, analyzing a subsample of 47 Syrian refugees with post-traumatic stress symptoms in Germany experiencing ambiguous loss. Sociodemographic and loss-related questions were applied, along with standardized instruments for symptoms of prolonged grief (ICG), anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), PTSD (PDS-5) and somatization (PHQ-15). Linear regression models were used to predict mental health outcomes. Having lost a close family member and higher boundary ambiguity showed a statistically significant association with higher severity in prolonged grief. The overall model for somatization reached statistical significance, while no predictor independently did. Boundary ambiguity showed a statistically significant positive association with depression, while the overall model showed no statistically significant associations. Boundary ambiguity and missing family members seemed to be important predictors for prolonged grief. These findings support the importance of reunification programs and suggest an inclusion of the topic into psychosocial support structures, e.g., including psychoeducational elements on boundary ambiguity in support groups for traumatized individuals and families experiencing ambiguous loss. Further research is needed for a more detailed understanding of the impact of ambiguous loss on refugee populations.

Reactions to stressful experiences

2017 ◽  
pp. 135-160
Author(s):  
Paul Harrison ◽  
Philip Cowen ◽  
Tom Burns ◽  
Mina Fazel
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Response To Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Stressful Experiences ◽  
Refugee Experience ◽  
Coping Patterns

‘Reactions to stressful experiences’ covers emotional and physiological elements of the response to stress and the way in which maladaptive coping patterns and inappropriate defence mechanisms can lead to clinical disorders. Stress reactions are often short-lived and respond to support from friends and family. However, particularly severe stresses can lead to the condition of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an important source of morbidity and disability, whose clinical features, psychology, neurobiology, and treatment are described in detail. The chapter also covers adjustment to threatening and traumatic life events, such as childhood abuse, sexual assault in women, the refugee experience, serious physical illness, and bereavement. These events can produce various kinds of adverse psychological consequences over the lifespan, and the chapter shows how these psychiatric sequelae can be recognized, theoretically understood, and best managed according to current evidence-based practice.

Reactions to stressful experiences

2012 ◽  
pp. 153-175
Author(s):  
Philip Cowen ◽  
Paul Harrison ◽  
Tom Burns
Keyword(s):  
Terminal Illness ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Severe Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stressful Experience ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Stressful Experiences

Chapter 8 begins with a description of the various components of the response to stressful events, including coping strategies and mechanisms of defence. The classification of reactions to stressful experience is discussed next. The various syndromes are then described, including acute stress reactions, post-traumatic stress disorder, special forms of response to severe stress, and adjustment disorders. The chapter ends with an account of special forms of adjustment reaction, including adjustment to bereavement (grief) and to terminal illness, and the problems of adults who experienced sexual abuse in childhood.

Prolonged Exposure to Political Violence and the Development of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Palestinian Adolescents

2020 ◽  
pp. 189-220
Author(s):  
Muhammad M. Haj-Yahia ◽  
Charles W. Greenbaum
Keyword(s):  
Political Violence ◽  
Parenting Styles ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Negative Evaluation ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter investigates the relationship between prolonged exposure to political violence (EPV) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among Palestinian adolescents. It also examines the moderating effect of participants’ age, gender, and parental socialization styles on the relationship between EPV and PTSS. A systematic cluster random sample of 2,934 Palestinian adolescents aged 14 to 19 years living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem responded to self-administered questionnaires. Multiple regression analysis showed a positive relationship between levels of EPV and of PTSS. Girls showed higher levels of PTSS than boys. Hostile and rejecting parenting styles, strict discipline, and negative evaluation from parents correlated positively with high PTSS, whereas intimate and loving parenting correlated with low levels of PTSS, supporting the hypotheses presented here. The chapter discusses the importance of intimate and loving parenting styles as a possible protective factor for mitigating the effects of political violence on children.

scholarly journals Psychosocial factors associated with postpartum psychological distress during the Covid-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Ostacoli ◽  
Stefano Cosma ◽  
Federica Bevilacqua ◽  
Paola Berchialla ◽  
Marialuisa Bovetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Childbirth Experience ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Epidemic Area ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Trauma, natural and man-made catastrophic events can be predictors of postpartum psychological distress. In a public health response due to coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak, the Italian government imposed a lockdown from March 9 to May 3. This extraordinary situation may have been challenging for maternal psychological health. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive and post-traumatic stress symptoms in women giving birth during the Covid-19 pandemic and its associations with quarantine measures, obstetrical factors, and relational attachment style. Methods Women who gave birth in a high-volume obstetric/gynaecological medical centre located in an epidemic area during the Covid-19 pandemic (March 8 to June 15) were asked to complete an online survey about their childbirth experience and the perceived effect of the pandemic. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) were administered to assess levels of postpartum depressive and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and relational style of attachment, respectively. Multivariate analysis was applied to identify associations between quarantine measures, childbirth experience, attachment style, and EPDS and IES-R scores.Results The survey was completed by 163 women (response rate 60.8%). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 44.2% (EPDS cut-off score ≥11) and the PTSS rate was 42.9% (IES-R cut-off score ≥24). Dismissive and fearful avoidant attachment styles were significantly associated with the risk of depression and PTSS, respectively. Perceived pain during birth was a risk factor for postpartum depression. Perceived support provided by healthcare staff was a protective factor against depression and PTSS. Another protective factor against PTSS was quiet on the ward due to the absence of hospital visitors. Conclusion This study reports a high prevalence of postpartum depressive and PTSS in women who gave birth during the Covid-19 pandemic. Postnatal psychological distress seemed to be associated more with the prenatal experience and other individual factors than with the pandemic hospital restrictions. Early detection during pregnancy of an insecure attachment style is fundamental to provide targeted preventive and therapeutic psychological interventions.

Trauma Management Therapy for First Responders

2020 ◽  
pp. 230-242
Author(s):  
Madeline Marks ◽  
Annelise Cunningham ◽  
Clint Bowers ◽  
Deborah C. Beidel
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Military Patients

Mental health professionals are only recently beginning to understand the risks for stress-related disorders experienced by first responders. For example, it is clear that first responders are at increased risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Unfortunately, clinicians currently have a limited repertoire with which to treat these disorders. Treatments for PTSD have been developed for use with military patients, for the most part. It is not clear that these treatments are appropriate, and effective, for first responders. In this chapter, the authors describe a pilot study designed to evaluate whether one specific treatment approach creates similar clinical outcomes for first responders as have been observed for a military sample. The results indicate that clinical outcomes for first responders were nearly identical as those obtained with military personnel. The results are discussed in terms of future directions for research in this area.

An E-Mental Health Solution to Prevent and Manage Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries among First Responders in Alberta: Protocol for the Implementation and Evaluation of Text4PTSI (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Obuobi-Donkor ◽  
Ejemai Eboreime ◽  
Jennifer Bond ◽  
Natalie Phung ◽  
Scarlett Eyben ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Injuries ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND First responders are confronted with the traumatic event(s) in their work that has a significant toll on their psychological health and that may contribute to or result in post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) for many responders. Persons with a PTSI usually seek management therapies, which they hope will be effective. Evidence indicates that digital delivery of these therapies is an innovative, efficient and effective way to improve PTSI symptoms as in-person delivery. OBJECTIVE This project aims to implement and provide accessible, convenient and economical SMS text messaging services, known asText4PTSI, to first responders in Alberta, Canada, to prevent and improve the symptoms of PTSI among first responders and to improve their overall quality of life. We will evaluate post-traumatic symptoms and the impact of Text4PTSI on stress, anxiety and depression in relation to correspondent's demographic backgrounds. METHODS First Responders who subscribe to Text4PTSI receive daily supportive and psychoeducational text messages for six months. The text messages are pre-programmed into an online software program delivering messages to subscribers. Baseline and follow-up data are collected through online questionnaires using validated scales at enrollments of 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks (endpoint). In-depth interviews will be conducted to assess satisfaction with the text-based intervention. RESULTS We hypothesize that participants who enrol in this program will have improved PTSI symptoms, increased or improved quality of life and significant reduction of associated stress, depression and anxiety symptoms, among other psychological concerns. Improvement will be determined in comparison to established baseline parameters. CONCLUSIONS Text4PTSI is a practical, economic and easily accessible intervention, which provides supportive text messages and serves as an acceptable and evidence-informed way of preventing and managing symptoms associated with PTSI for first-responders. Results from this research will be beneficial for practitioners and will inform policy and decision making regarding psychological interventions for PTSI.

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