scholarly journals Post-traumatic stress and gambling related cognitions: Analyses in inpatient and online samples

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Grubbs ◽  
Heather Chapman ◽  
Kathrine Shepherd
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Gambling Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Distortions ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Gambling Behaviors ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Erroneous Beliefs

Gambling disorder (GD) is associated with a range of psychiatric comorbidities. One comorbidity of particular interest is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individuals with GD report much higher rates of PTSD than the general population, and individuals with this comorbidity (with both PTSD and GD) often report much greater distress and impairment in daily life in comparison to individuals with GD alone. Despite these associations, little is known about the specific ways in which PTSD and GD might influence each other. To address this gap in research, the present work sought to examine how PTSD might be related to the expression and experience of gambling related cognitions. Specifically, it was hypothesized that individuals with PTSD or symptoms of PTSD (i.e., subclinical levels of post-traumatic stress) would demonstrate greater cognitive distortions and erroneous beliefs about gambling. To test these hypotheses, we analyzed data from two samples, an inpatient sample of U.S. Armed Forces veterans seeking treatment for gambling disorder (n=332) and an online sample of largely recreational gambling U.S. adults (n=589). Results consistently revealed that individuals with PTSD or symptoms of PTSD were likely to report greater gambling related cognitions. These findings persisted, even when gambling symptom severity and trait neuroticism were held constant. Collectively, these results suggest that PTSD is uniquely associated with greater cognitive distortions and erroneous beliefs about gambling behaviors.

scholarly journals Examining Links between Post-Traumatic Stress and Gambling Motives: The Role of Positive Gambling Expectancies

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Grubbs ◽  
Heather Chapman ◽  
Lauren Milner ◽  
Ian A Gutierrez ◽  
David F. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Gambling Disorder ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Gambling Behaviors ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Post Traumatic

Problem gambling and gambling disorder are associated with a range of mental health concerns that extend beyond gambling behaviors alone. Prior works have consistently linked gambling disorder with symptoms of post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder, both cross-sectionally and over time. However, very little work has examined the specific relationships between these two disorders. The present work postulated that post-traumatic stress is likely associated with unique beliefs about gambling behaviors and unique motivations to gamble. Using two samples—an inpatient sample of U.S. Armed Forces veterans (N = 332) seeking treatment for gambling related problems and a web-sample of gambling adults (N = 881)—we examined these ideas. Results from both samples indicated that post-traumatic stress symptoms were related to positive gambling expectancies and coping motivations for gambling. Additionally, in both samples, positive gambling expectancies were associated with greater coping motivations for gambling. Structural equation models revealed that positive gambling expectancies were consistent predictors of coping motivations for gambling. The findings indicate that post-traumatic stress symptoms are likely associated with unique beliefs about and motivations for gambling behaviors. Given the high comorbidity between symptoms of post-traumatic stress and gambling disorder, these specific relationships are likely of clinical interest in populations seeking treatment for either post-traumatic stress or for problems with gambling behaviors.

scholarly journals Predicting Gambling Situations: The Roles of Impulsivity, Substance Use, and Post Traumatic Stress

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Grubbs ◽  
Heather Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Gambling Disorder ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gambling Behaviors ◽  
Trait Impulsivity ◽  
Post Traumatic

Gambling disorder and symptoms of post-traumatic stress are highly comorbid. Numerous studies suggest that the presence of one (either disordered gambling or post-traumatic stress) substantially increases the odds of later developing the other. However, little is known about the etiological links between these two domains or the nuances of the comorbidity. Past research has suggested that symptoms of post-traumatic stress might be related to unique motivations for and beliefs about gambling. The present work sought to examine whether or not symptoms of post-traumatic stress might also be related to specific situational vulnerabilities to gambling behaviors. Using a large cross-sectional sample of internet-using adults in the U.S. who were primarily recreational gamblers (N = 589; 43% men, Mage = 36.1, SD = 11.0), as well as an inpatient sample of U.S. Armed Forces veterans seeking treatment for gambling disorder (N = 332, 80% men, Mage = 53.5, SD = 11.5), the present work tested whether or not symptoms of post-traumatic stress were uniquely related to a variety of gambling situations. Results in both samples revealed that, even when controlling for potentially confounding variables (e.g., substance use and trait impulsivity), symptoms of post-traumatic stress were uniquely related to gambling in response to negative affect, gambling in response to social pressure, and gambling due to a need for excitement. These findings are consistent with recent work suggesting that individuals with post-traumatic stress symptoms are more likely to engage in gambling behaviors for unique reasons that differ from gamblers without such symptoms.

scholarly journals Predicting Gambling Situations: The Roles of Impulsivity, Substance Use, and Post-Traumatic Stress

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 117822181985264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua B Grubbs ◽  
Heather Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Gambling Disorder ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Past Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gambling Behaviors ◽  
Post Traumatic

Gambling disorder and symptoms of post-traumatic stress are highly comorbid. Numerous studies suggest that the presence of one (either disordered gambling or post-traumatic stress) substantially increases the odds of later developing the other. However, little is known about the etiological links between these two domains or the nuances of the comorbidity. Past research has suggested that symptoms of post-traumatic stress might be related to unique motivations for and beliefs about gambling. The present work sought to examine whether or not symptoms of post-traumatic stress might also be related to specific situational vulnerabilities to gambling behaviors. Using a large cross-sectional sample of Internet-using adults in the United States who were primarily recreational gamblers (N = 743; 46% men, Mage = 36.0, SD = 11.1), as well as an inpatient sample of US Armed Forces veterans seeking treatment for gambling disorder (N = 332, 80% men, Mage = 53.5, SD = 11.5), the present work tested whether or not symptoms of post-traumatic stress were uniquely related to a variety of gambling situations. Results in both samples revealed that even when controlling for potentially confounding variables (eg, substance use and trait impulsivity), symptoms of post-traumatic stress were uniquely related to gambling in response to negative affect, gambling in response to social pressure, and gambling due to a need for excitement. These findings are consistent with recent work suggesting that individuals with post-traumatic stress symptoms are more likely to engage in gambling behaviors for unique reasons that differ from gamblers without such symptoms.

scholarly journals Self-reported auditory problems are associated with adverse mental health outcomes and alcohol misuse in the UK Armed Forces

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred N. H. Parker ◽  
Nicola T. Fear ◽  
S. A. M. Stevelink ◽  
L. Rafferty
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Hearing Problems

Abstract Purpose Auditory problems, such as hearing loss and tinnitus, have been associated with mental health problems and alcohol misuse in the UK general population and in the US Armed Forces; however, few studies have examined these associations within the UK Armed Forces. The present study examined the association between auditory problems and probable common mental disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol misuse. Methods 5474 serving and ex-service personnel from the UK Armed Forces were examined, selected from those who responded to phase two (data collection 2007–09) and phase three (2014–16) of a military cohort study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between auditory problems at phase two and mental health problems at phase three. Results 9.7% of participants reported ever experiencing hearing problems alone, 7.9% reported tinnitus within the last month alone, and 7.8% reported hearing problems with tinnitus. After adjustment, hearing problems with tinnitus at phase two was associated with increased odds of probable common mental disorders (AOR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.09–2.08), post-traumatic stress disorder (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.41–3.76), and alcohol misuse (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.28–2.96) at phase three. Tinnitus alone was associated with probable post-traumatic stress disorder (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.03–3.15); however, hearing problems alone were not associated with any outcomes of interest. Conclusions The association between auditory problems and mental health problems emphasises the importance of the prevention of auditory problems in the Armed Forces: through enhanced audiometric screening, improved hearing protection equipment, and greater levels of utilisation of such equipment.

scholarly journals Risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder among UK Armed Forces personnel

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Iversen ◽  
N. T. Fear ◽  
A. Ehlers ◽  
J. Hacker Hughes ◽  
L. Hull ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Military Personnel ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Extreme Stress ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic

BackgroundThere is considerable interest in understanding further the factors that increase the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for military personnel. This study aimed to investigate the relative contribution of demographic variables; childhood adversity; the nature of exposure to traumatic events during deployment; appraisal of these experiences; and home-coming experiences in relation to the prevalence of PTSD ‘caseness’ as measured by a score of ⩾50 on the PTSD Checklist (PCL) in UK Armed Forces personnel who have been deployed in Iraq since 2003.MethodData were drawn from the first stage of a retrospective cohort study comparing UK military personnel who were deployed to the 2003 Iraq War with personnel serving in the UK Armed Forces on 31 March 2003 but who were not deployed to the initial phase of war fighting. Participants were randomly selected and invited to participate. The response rate was 61%. We have limited these analyses to 4762 regular service individuals who responded to the survey and who have been deployed in Iraq since 2003.ResultsPost-traumatic stress symptoms were associated with lower rank, being unmarried, having low educational attainment and a history of childhood adversity. Exposure to potentially traumatizing events, in particular being deployed to a ‘forward’ area in close contact with the enemy, was associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms. Appraisals of the experience as involving threat to one's own life and a perception that work in theatre was above an individual's trade and experience were strongly associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms. Low morale and poor social support within the unit and non-receipt of a home-coming brief (psycho-education) were associated with greater risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms.ConclusionsPersonal appraisal of threat to life during the trauma emerged as the most important predictor of post-traumatic stress symptoms. These results also raise the possibility that there are important modifiable occupational factors such as unit morale, leadership, preparing combatants for their role in theatre which may influence an individual's risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Therefore interventions focused on systematic preparation of personnel for the extreme stress of combat may help to lessen the psychological impact of deployment.

scholarly journals Veterans’ experiences of successfully managing post-traumatic stress disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Parry ◽  
Suzanne Margaret Hodge ◽  
Alan Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Civilian Life ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Military

Purpose Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among UK veterans is higher than in the general population. However, prevalence figures do not reflect the complexity of this phenomenon and ways in which it may be bound up with veterans’ experiences of adjusting to civilian life. The purpose of this study is to explore veterans’ experiences of successfully managing PTSD. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six veterans who had served in the UK armed forces and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings Three themes were developed: accepting the problem, taking responsibility and gaining control; talking to the right people; and strategies, antidotes and circling back around. Managing PTSD appeared to be bound up with veterans’ experience of renegotiating their identity, where positive aspects of identity lost on leaving the military were rebuilt and problematic aspects were challenged. Participants sought to speak about their difficulties with others who understood the military context. They felt that their experiences made them a valuable resource to others, and they connected this with a positive sense of identity and value. Practical implications The findings suggest the importance of wider provision of peer support and education for civilian health services on veterans’ needs. Originality/value This study adds to the understanding of what meaningful recovery from PTSD may involve for veterans, in particular its potential interconnectedness with the process of adjusting to civilian life.

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