The Survivor Moms’ Companion: Feasibility, Safety, and Acceptability of a Posttraumatic Stress Specific Psychoeducation Program for Pregnant Survivors of Childhood Maltreatment and Sexual Trauma

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mickey Sperlich ◽  
Julia S. Seng ◽  
Heather Rowe ◽  
Heather Cameron ◽  
Anna Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Abuse Survivors ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Self Study ◽  
Women Abuse ◽  
Symptom Level ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Level

Pregnant women with history of abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have increased risk of adverse mental health and childbearing outcomes. The Survivor Moms’ Companion (SMC) is a psychoeducation program designed to meet the needs of women abuse survivors affected by PTSD during the childbearing year. This article reports on the feasibility, safety, and acceptability findings of an open pilot. Participants completed 10 self-study modules and structured tutoring sessions, and completed self-report measures, including reports of tutor fidelity to the manual, repeated assessment of PTSD symptoms, Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) scores, and evaluation interviews. Results indicate that the intervention can be implemented within low-resource settings with high level of fidelity to the manual. Monitoring of PTSD symptom level and distress indicate that the intervention is safe. Participants report satisfaction with the format and content and appreciation for the tutoring component. The SMC appears to be feasible, safe, and acceptable.

Increased risk of attempted suicide in Australian veterans is associated with total and permanent incapacitation, unemployment and posttraumatic stress disorder severity

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 552-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn Kerr ◽  
Madeline Romaniuk ◽  
Sarah McLeay ◽  
Andrew Khoo ◽  
Michael T Dent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

Background: Military veterans have higher rates of suicidality and completed suicides compared to the general population. Previous research has demonstrated suicidal behaviour is higher in US combat veterans who are younger, suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety and score lower on measures of health. However, research on predictors of suicide for Australian veterans is limited. The aim of this study was to identify significant demographic and psychological differences between veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder who had attempted suicide and those with posttraumatic stress disorder who had not, as well as determine predictors of suicide attempts within an Australian cohort. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 229 ex-service personnel diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder who had attended a Military Service Trauma Recovery Day Program as outpatients at Toowong Private Hospital from 2007 to 2014. Patients completed a battery of mental health self-report questionnaires assessing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol use, anger, depression, anxiety and quality of life. Demographic information and self-reported history of suicide attempts were also recorded. Results: Results indicated the average age was significantly lower, and the rates of posttraumatic stress disorder, anger, anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly higher in those veterans with history of a suicide attempt. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity, unemployment or total and permanent incapacity pension status significantly predicted suicide attempt history. Conclusion: Among a cohort of Australian veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, psychopathology severity, unemployment and total and permanent incapacity status are significantly associated with suicidality. This study highlights the importance of early identification of posttraumatic stress disorder and psychopathology, therapeutic and social engagement, and prioritisation of tangible employment options or meaningful and goal-directed activities for veterans deemed unable to work.

The Role of Maternal Self-efficacy in the Link Between Childhood Maltreatment and Maternal Stress During Transition to Motherhood

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110428
Author(s):  
Gabriella Bentley ◽  
Osnat Zamir
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
History Of Childhood ◽  
Transition To Motherhood ◽  
History Of

The transition to motherhood is a significant developmental milestone in many women’s lives. This transitional period may be more stressful for women with a history of childhood maltreatment (CM) than for women without such a history. This study tested whether parental self-efficacy (PSE) accounts for the link between CM and parental stress in mothers transitioning to motherhood. The study used a convenience sample of 1,306 first-time mothers of children aged two years or younger. Mothers filled out online self-report questionnaires assessing history of CM, PSE, and prenatal stress. Consistent with the hypotheses, exposure to CM was directly associated with greater parental stress. Also, PSE partially mediated the associations between CM and parental stress, such that mothers with a history of childhood abuse reported a lower level of PSE, which in turn was associated with greater parental stress. In conclusion, the study highlights the important role of negative cognitions related to parenting for maternal dysfunction following exposure to childhood abuse. These findings suggest a need to incorporate preventive interventions designed to promote PSE for mothers exposed to CM. Such programs may alleviate parental stress and further support the healthy development of the child.

Childhood trauma and being at-risk for psychosis are associated with higher peripheral endocannabinoids

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (11) ◽  
pp. 1862-1871 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Appiah-Kusi ◽  
R. Wilson ◽  
M. Colizzi ◽  
E. Foglia ◽  
E. Klamerus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
History Of Childhood ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

AbstractBackgroundEvidence has been accumulating regarding alterations in components of the endocannabinoid system in patients with psychosis. Of all the putative risk factors associated with psychosis, being at clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR) has the strongest association with the onset of psychosis, and exposure to childhood trauma has been linked to an increased risk of development of psychotic disorder. We aimed to investigate whether being at-risk for psychosis and exposure to childhood trauma were associated with altered endocannabinoid levels.MethodWe compared 33 CHR participants with 58 healthy controls (HC) and collected information about previous exposure to childhood trauma as well as plasma samples to analyse endocannabinoid levels.ResultsIndividuals with both CHR and experience of childhood trauma had higher N-palmitoylethanolamine (p < 0.001) and anandamide (p < 0.001) levels in peripheral blood compared to HC and those with no childhood trauma. There was also a significant correlation between N-palmitoylethanolamine levels and symptoms as well as childhood trauma.ConclusionsOur results suggest an association between CHR and/or childhood maltreatment and elevated endocannabinoid levels in peripheral blood, with a greater alteration in those with both CHR status and history of childhood maltreatment compared to those with either of those risks alone. Furthermore, endocannabinoid levels increased linearly with the number of risk factors and elevated endocannabinoid levels correlated with the severity of CHR symptoms and extent of childhood maltreatment. Further studies in larger cohorts, employing longitudinal designs are needed to confirm these findings and delineate the precise role of endocannabinoid alterations in the pathophysiology of psychosis.

scholarly journals Prevalence of ADHD in Accident Victims: Results of the PRADA Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kittel-Schneider ◽  
Wolff ◽  
Queiser ◽  
Wessendorf ◽  
Meier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Trauma Surgery ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Stimulant Treatment ◽  
Surgery Patient ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

Background: Recent research has shown an increased risk of accidents and injuries in ADHD patients, which could potentially be reduced by stimulant treatment. Therefore, the first aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of adult ADHD in a trauma surgery population. The second aim was to investigate accident mechanisms and circumstances which could be specific to ADHD patients, in comparison to the general population. Methods: We screened 905 accident victims for ADHD using the ASRS 18-item self-report questionnaire. The basic demographic data and circumstances of the accidents were also assessed. Results: Prevalence of adult ADHD was found to be 6.18% in our trauma surgery patient sample. ADHD accident victims reported significantly higher rates of distraction, stress and overconfidence in comparison to non-ADHD accident victims. Overconfidence and being in thoughts as causal mechanisms for the accidents remained significantly higher in ADHD patients after correction for multiple comparison. ADHD patients additionally reported a history of multiple accidents. Conclusion: The majority of ADHD patients in our sample had not previously been diagnosed and were therefore not receiving treatment. The results subsequently suggest that general ADHD screening in trauma surgery patients may be useful in preventing further accidents in ADHD patients. Furthermore, psychoeducation regarding specific causal accident mechanisms could be implemented in ADHD therapy to decrease accident incidence rate.

scholarly journals Childhood Maltreatment Among Hispanic Women in the United States

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn A. Warner ◽  
Margarita Alegría ◽  
Glorisa Canino
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Asian American ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Hispanic Women ◽  
The United States ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Nativity Status ◽  
Increased Risk

Prevalence rates of childhood maltreatment among Hispanic women in the United States are presented separately for nativity status and ethnic origin subgroups, and the associations between different types of maltreatment and the development of anxiety and depressive disorders are examined. Analyses used self-report data from 1,427 Hispanic women who participated in the National Latino and Asian American Survey. Foreign-born Hispanic women compared to U.S.-born Hispanic women reported significantly lower rates of sexual assault and witnessing interpersonal violence, and a significantly higher rate of being beaten. Ethnic subgroups reported similar rates of maltreatment, with the exception of rape. Bivariate analyses were remarkably consistent in that regardless of nativity status or ethnic subgroup, each type of maltreatment experience increased the risk of psychiatric disorder. In multivariate models controlling for all types of victimization and proxies of acculturation, having been beaten and witnessing interpersonal violence remained significant predictors of both disorders, but sexual abuse increased risk of anxiety only. A significant interaction effect of family cultural conflict and witnessing violence on anxiety provided very limited support for the hypothesis that acculturation moderates the influence of maltreatment on mental health outcomes. Implications for culturally relevant prevention and intervention approaches are presented.

scholarly journals Evaluation of factor VIII value in normal women and whom encountered recurrent pregnancy loss: is there any significant difference?

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 1034
Author(s):  
Douaa Al Rez ◽  
Hasan Naser Eldine ◽  
Marwan Alhalabi
Keyword(s):  
Factor Viii ◽  
Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Fetal Loss ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
History Of ◽  
Normal Women ◽  
High Level

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a serious problem on the women, it defined as two or more consecutive pregnancy losses before the fetus has reached birth. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between the elevation in the factor VIII and RPL. Because women who have thrombophilia have increased risk of fetal loss in most studies.Methods: A total 72 women were recruited in this case control study. They divided into two groups: the RPL group included 41 women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss and the control group included 31 healthy women, who had at least one successful pregnancy and none of them had a history of fetal loss or complicated pregnancy.Results: A majority of the patients of this study didn't have a high level of factor VIII, 9 of 41 (22%) patients of RPL group in comparison with 21 of 32 (65,6%) of control group, that suffer from the increase rate of FVIII, this means that factor VIII doesn't effect on RPL.Conclusions: The present study showed that the serum elevation in the factor VIII is not significantly associated with RPL.

Coercive Control, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Depression Among Homeless Women

Partner Abuse ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda R. Levine ◽  
Patti A. Timmons Fritz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Partner Abuse ◽  
Homeless Women ◽  
Homeless Shelters ◽  
Coercive Control ◽  
History Of

Intimate relationships involving psychological abuse, particularly those characterized by coercive control (CC), a pattern of behaviors aimed at gaining control over one’s romantic partner, have been associated with poorer mental health for victims than among victims of physical partner abuse alone (Johnson & Leone, 2005). This study investigated whether CC predicted posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression above and beyond the effects of childhood maltreatment and frequency and severity of physical partner abuse among a sample of homeless women. This is the first known study to date to investigate the role of CC in the partner abuse experiences of homeless women. Fifty-one ethnically diverse women with a history of partner abuse victimization residing in a homeless shelter in Southwest Ontario, Canada, completed questionnaires assessing partner abuse, CC, depression, and PTSD. As predicted, CC was found to predict PTSD but not depression, after controlling for childhood maltreatment and frequency and severity of physical partner abuse. In addition, women exhibited very high rates of both PTSD and depression. The relation between CC and mental health of victims, particularly the development of PTSD, should be considered in partner abuse prevention programs and interventions. Furthermore, the high rates of psychopathology reported by the women indicate a great need for psychological aid among women residing in homeless shelters.

Accuracy of Self-report as a Method of Screening for Lifetime Occurrence of Traumatic Brain Injury Events that Resulted in Hospitalization

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 717-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey McKinlay ◽  
L. John Horwood ◽  
David M. Fergusson
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
Health And Development ◽  
At Risk Populations

AbstractBackgroundTraumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs frequently during child and early adulthood, and is associated with negative outcomes including increased risk of drug abuse, mental health disorders and criminal offending. Identification of previous TBI for at-risk populations in clinical settings often relies on self-report, despite little information regarding self-report accuracy. This study examines the accuracy of adult self-report of hospitalized TBI events and the factors that enhance recall.MethodsThe Christchurch Health and Development Study is a birth cohort of 1265 children born in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1977. A history of TBI events was prospectively gathered at each follow-up (yearly intervals 0–16, 18, 21, 25 years) using parental/self-report, verified using hospital records.ResultsAt 25 years, 1003 cohort members were available, with 59/101 of all hospitalized TBI events being recalled. Recall varied depending on the age at injury and injury severity, with 10/11 of moderate/severe TBI being recalled. Logistic regression analysis indicated that a model using recorded loss of consciousness, age at injury, and injury severity, could accurately classify whether or not TBI would be reported in over 74% of cases.ConclusionsThis research demonstrates that, even when individuals are carefully cued, many instances of TBI will not recalled in adulthood despite the injury having required a period of hospitalization. Therefore, screening for TBI may require a combination of self-report and review of hospital files to ensure that all cases are identified. (JINS, 2016, 22, 717–723)

scholarly journals Joint Effect of Childhood Abuse and Family History of Major Depressive Disorder on Rates of PTSD in People with Personality Disorders

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine D. Flory ◽  
Rachel Yehuda ◽  
Vincent Passarelli ◽  
Larry J. Siever
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Family History ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Joint Effect ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

Objective. Childhood maltreatment and familial psychopathology both lead to an increased risk of the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adulthood. While family history of psychopathology has traditionally been viewed as a proxy for genetic predisposition, such pathology can also contribute to a stress-laden environment for the child.Method. Analyses were conducted to evaluate the joint effect of childhood abuse and a family history of major depressive disorder (MDD) on diagnoses of PTSD and MDD in a sample of 225 adults with DSM-IV Axis II disorders.Results.Results showed that the rate of PTSD in the presence of both childhood abuse and MDD family history was almost six-fold (OR=5.89,  P=.001) higher relative to the absence of both factors. In contrast, the rate of MDD in the presence of both factors was associated with a nearly three-fold risk relative to the reference group (OR=2.75,  P=.01).Conclusions. The results from this observational study contribute to a growing understanding of predisposing factors for the development of PTSD and suggest that joint effects of family history of MDD and childhood abuse on PTSD are greater than either factor alone.

Childhood Maltreatment and Development of Substance Use Disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 454-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanie Edalati ◽  
Marvin D. Krank
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Relationship

Exposure to childhood maltreatment (CM) is associated with increased risk for developing substance use disorders (SUDs). CM exerts negative effects on cognitive abilities including intellectual performance, memory, attention, and executive function. Parallel cognitive impairments have been observed in SUDs. Hence, limited studies have examined the mediating effect of cognitive impairments in the relationship between CM and SUDs. In addition, most studies used concurrent self-report assessments in adult populations. Longitudinal studies that investigated the long-term consequences of CM on psychopathology, including SUDs, throughout childhood, adolescence, and adulthood are rare. Thus, the underlying developmental pathways between CM and SUDs are not clearly understood. In this article, we review the evidence that cognitive impairments mediate, at least in part, the relationship between CM and development of SUDs and propose a model that explains how CM increases the risk for SUDs through the development of a cognitive framework of vulnerability.

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