The Moderating Effects of Social Support and Depression on the Relationship Between Client Violence and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Social Welfare Officials

IntroductionData are emerging showing the adverse consequences on mental health of the general public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Little is known about the needs of veterans with pre-existing mental health difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsData were collected through a cross-sectional online survey from a randomly selected sample (n=1092) of military veterans who have sought help for mental health difficulties from a veteran-specific UK-based charity. The response rate was 25.2% (n=275). Participants were asked to complete a range of standardised mental health outcomes (post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, common mental health difficulties (CMDs): 12-Item General Health Questionnaire, difficulties with anger: 5-Item Dimensions of Anger Reactions—Revised and alcohol misuse: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) and endorse a list of potential stressors related to changes to daily life resulting from COVID-19. Regression analyses were fitted to explore predictors of mental health severity.ResultsIt was observed that symptoms of common mental disorder and PTSD (69.3% and 65.0%, respectively) were the most commonly reported to have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Lack of social support and reporting increasing numbers of stressors related to COVID-19 were consistently associated with increasing severity of a range of mental health difficulties.ConclusionsOur findings suggest veterans who had pre-existing mental health difficulties prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 may be at increased risk of experiencing CMDs as a result of the pandemic. Intervening to improve levels of social support and offering practical guidance to better manage any additional stressors relating to the pandemic may provide strategies to help reduce the burden of mental health symptoms.

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The role of sleep disturbance in the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideation

Journal of Anxiety Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.09.011 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 27 (7) ◽

pp. 735-741 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Kim Steven Betts ◽

Gail M. Williams ◽

Jacob M. Najman ◽

Rosa Alati

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Sleep Disturbance ◽

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

The Relationship

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Support for the mutual maintenance of pain and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291709991310 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 40 (7) ◽

pp. 1215-1223 ◽

Cited By ~ 73

Author(s):

A. Liedl ◽

M. O'Donnell ◽

M. Creamer ◽

D. Silove ◽

A. McFarlane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

Saturated Model ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Post Injury ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

The Relationship

BackgroundPain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are frequently co-morbid in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Although several models attempt to explain the relationship between these two disorders, the mechanisms underlying the relationship remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between each PTSD symptom cluster and pain over the course of post-traumatic adjustment.MethodIn a longitudinal study, injury patients (n=824) were assessed within 1 week post-injury, and then at 3 and 12 months. Pain was measured using a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). PTSD symptoms were assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to identify causal relationships between pain and PTSD.ResultsIn a saturated model we found that the relationship between acute pain and 12-month pain was mediated by arousal symptoms at 3 months. We also found that the relationship between baseline arousal and re-experiencing symptoms, and later 12-month arousal and re-experiencing symptoms, was mediated by 3-month pain levels. The final model showed a good fit [χ2=16.97, df=12, p>0.05, Comparative Fit Index (CFI)=0.999, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)=0.022].ConclusionsThese findings provide evidence of mutual maintenance between pain and PTSD.

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