scholarly journals Associations between posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use: a longitudinal investigation of individuals recently exposed to trauma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonya G. Wanklyn
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) commonly cooccur following trauma, and their co-occurrence is associated with substantial costs; however, our understanding of the timing and sequencing of these posttrauma mental health conditions is limited. This study examined the trajectories of PTSD symptom severity and substance use among individuals recently exposed to a traumatic event, with a focus on the potential moderating roles of PTSD and SUD diagnoses at the final assessment. Additionally, in attempt to better understand the functional relationship between PTSD symptoms and substance use posttrauma, this study compared models reflecting the theories of self-medication, susceptibility, and mutual maintenance. Participants included 137 individuals who had experienced a traumatic event within 6 months prior to study enrollment. Participants completed four assessments over an approximate 1-year period that included clinician-administered measures for DSM-5 PTSD symptoms and SUD diagnosis and self-report measures of alcohol and drug use. Change over time in PTSD symptoms and substance use by diagnostic status were investigated using growth curve models. Temporal sequencing between PTSD symptom severity and substance use was investigated with bivariate latent difference score structural equation modeling. In line with the conceptualization of PTSD as a disorder of impeded recovery, having a diagnosis of PTSD at the final assessment moderated the trajectory of PTSD symptom severity such that symptom severity declined only among those without PTSD. In contrast, the influence of SUD appeared to be negligible. Both PTSD and SUD diagnoses were associated with initial drug use frequency. However, the relationship between alcohol use and diagnostic status did not reach statistical significance. Regarding temporal relationships between PTSD symptoms and substance use, significant and negative PTSD to change in substance use cross-lagged paths were found across most of the models, while only one significant substance use to change in PTSD severity crosslagged path emerged in the PTSD intrusion with alcohol use model. These results add to a growing body of research suggesting trauma-focused intervention is viable for individuals with PTSD/SUD. Further, examination of potential mediators and moderators of the relation between PTSD and SUD is recommended as a critical focus for future research.

scholarly journals Associations between posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use: a longitudinal investigation of individuals recently exposed to trauma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonya G. Wanklyn
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) commonly cooccur following trauma, and their co-occurrence is associated with substantial costs; however, our understanding of the timing and sequencing of these posttrauma mental health conditions is limited. This study examined the trajectories of PTSD symptom severity and substance use among individuals recently exposed to a traumatic event, with a focus on the potential moderating roles of PTSD and SUD diagnoses at the final assessment. Additionally, in attempt to better understand the functional relationship between PTSD symptoms and substance use posttrauma, this study compared models reflecting the theories of self-medication, susceptibility, and mutual maintenance. Participants included 137 individuals who had experienced a traumatic event within 6 months prior to study enrollment. Participants completed four assessments over an approximate 1-year period that included clinician-administered measures for DSM-5 PTSD symptoms and SUD diagnosis and self-report measures of alcohol and drug use. Change over time in PTSD symptoms and substance use by diagnostic status were investigated using growth curve models. Temporal sequencing between PTSD symptom severity and substance use was investigated with bivariate latent difference score structural equation modeling. In line with the conceptualization of PTSD as a disorder of impeded recovery, having a diagnosis of PTSD at the final assessment moderated the trajectory of PTSD symptom severity such that symptom severity declined only among those without PTSD. In contrast, the influence of SUD appeared to be negligible. Both PTSD and SUD diagnoses were associated with initial drug use frequency. However, the relationship between alcohol use and diagnostic status did not reach statistical significance. Regarding temporal relationships between PTSD symptoms and substance use, significant and negative PTSD to change in substance use cross-lagged paths were found across most of the models, while only one significant substance use to change in PTSD severity crosslagged path emerged in the PTSD intrusion with alcohol use model. These results add to a growing body of research suggesting trauma-focused intervention is viable for individuals with PTSD/SUD. Further, examination of potential mediators and moderators of the relation between PTSD and SUD is recommended as a critical focus for future research.

scholarly journals A-015 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms are Associated with Reduced Performance on the MoCA among Vietnam Veterans

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 805-805
Author(s):  
Prieto S ◽  
Valerio K ◽  
Moody J ◽  
Hayes S ◽  
Hayes J
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Vietnam Veterans ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
Stressful Experiences ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity

Abstract Objective To examine cross-sectional associations between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, number of stressors experienced, and cognitive outcomes in Vietnam War veterans. Methods 366 adults between the ages of 60–85 years old completed a Vietnam Veterans Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Project (ADNI-DoD) visit consisting of a clinical interview and neuropsychological assessment. Number of stressful experiences were measured with the Life Stressor Checklist-Revised (LSC-R). Severity scores were assessed via the current Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Correlations were conducted between selected measures of stress and age, years of education, sex, ethnicity, and race. Demographic variables with significant associations with stress were included as covariates in the hierarchical regressions. Hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to examine the effect of CAPS and LSC-R on baseline Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. Results Higher CAPS scores (indicating higher PTSD severity) were associated with worse cognitive outcomes on the MoCA [ΔF(1,269) = 15.058, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.116]. By contrast, number of stressful experiences was not associated with cognitive outcomes. Follow up analyses indicated that CAPS severity scores were significantly associated with the memory index and the attention index of the MoCA. Conclusions In a sample of older veterans, PTSD symptom severity was associated with worse performance on the MoCA. Moreover, further analyses indicated that results within the memory and attention domains are driving these results. As such, treating PTSD symptoms may be helpful in maintaining cognitive function as adults age.

scholarly journals Disclosure Attitudes and Social Acknowledgement as Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity in Chinese and German Crime Victims

2009 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 547-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Mueller ◽  
Ulrich Orth ◽  
Jianping Wang ◽  
Andreas Maercker
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Crime Victims ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Disorder Symptom ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity

Objective: Only rare data exist comparing cross-cultural aspects of civilian traumatization. We compared prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in German and Chinese crime victims, and investigated the cross-cultural effect of 2 interpersonal predictors. Method: German ( n = 151) and Chinese ( n = 144) adult crime victims were assessed several months postcrime. The parallel questionnaire set assessed PTSD symptom severity, disclosure attitudes, social acknowledgement, and demographic and crime characteristics. Results: German and Chinese participants differed significantly in their PTSD symptom severity. However, in both samples, disclosure attitudes and social acknowledgement predicted PTSD symptom severity with a similar strength, in addition to the effects of other PTSD predictors. Conclusions: The results suggest that interpersonal variables are predictors of PTSD symptom severity in both cultures and should be included in etiologic models of PTSD.

scholarly journals Assessing dysfunctional expectations in posttraumatic stress disorder – Development and validation of the Posttraumatic Expectations Scale (PTES)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Herzog ◽  
Tim Kaiser ◽  
Winfried Rief ◽  
Eva-Lotta Brakemeier ◽  
Tobias Kube
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Excellent Internal Consistency ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity

Dysfunctional expectations are a particularly important subset of cognitions that influence the development and maintenance of various mental disorders. This study aimed to develop and validate a scale to assess dysfunctional expectations in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the “Posttraumatic Expectations Scale” (PTES). In a cross-sectional study, 70 PTSD patients completed the PTES, the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI), as well as measures of the severity of symptoms of PTSD and depression. The results show that the PTES has excellent internal consistency and correlates significantly with the PTCI and PTSD symptom severity. A regression analysis revealed that the PTES explained variance of PTSD symptom severity above the PTCI, supporting the incremental validity of the PTES. While the original version of the PTES comprises 81 items, short scales were constructed using the BISCUIT method. The current findings suggest that the PTES is a reliable and valid novel self-report measure in patients with PTSD.

The exposure to traumatic events and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder among Korean journalists

Journalism ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 1308-1325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mina Lee ◽  
Eun Hye Ha ◽  
Jung Kun Pae
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Coping Strategy ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Negative Beliefs ◽  
Traumatic Event Exposure

This study investigated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms on Korean journalists and the contributing variables. Predicting variables included the exposure to traumatic events, coping strategy, social support, optimism, negative beliefs, and the journalists’ occupational perspectives. A total of 367 Korean journalists participated in the survey. The findings revealed that, first, Korean journalists had suffered severely from PTSD symptoms according to the prevalence rate. Second, the extent of traumatic event exposure, the length of career, the use of dysfunctional coping strategy, a lack of social support, and negative beliefs were identified as significantly related variables. Finally, occupational perspectives showed meaningful associations with development of the symptoms. This study provided an empirical analysis of Korean journalists’ experiences of traumatic events and psychological stress for the first time.

Dismissive Attachment and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Securely and Insecurely Attached Belgian Security Workers

2009 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 889-899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Bogaerts ◽  
Maarten J. J. Kunst ◽  
Frans W. Winkel
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Grandiose Narcissism ◽  
Preoccupied Attachment

This study examined Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in relation to secure and insecure attachment styles based on data collected in a sample of 81 Belgian security workers. All had experienced one traumatic event in the previous year. The sample was divided into a securely attached and an insecurely attached group. The three PTSD symptom scales, Re-experiencing, Avoidance, and Hyperarousal, differentiated significantly between the two attachment groups; the dismissive attachment style was negatively related to PTSD. Individuals with a positive view of themselves and a negative view of others have less risk of developing PTSD than those with a fearful or preoccupied attachment style. A relationship between the dismissive attachment style with grandiose narcissism seems possible. Interest has been expressed in medical approaches; therefore, the importance of medical research on PTSD is emphasized.

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