scholarly journals Free Your Mind: Emotional Expressive Flexibility Moderates the Effect of Stress on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5355
Author(s):  
Einat Levy-Gigi ◽  
Reut Donner ◽  
George A. Bonanno
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Expression ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Traumatic Exposure ◽  
Post Traumatic

Servicemen are exposed to high levels of stress as part of their daily routine, however, studies which tested the relationship between stress and clinical symptoms reached inconsistent results. The present study examines the role of expressive flexibility, which was determined according to the ability to enhance or suppress either negative or positive emotional expression in conflictual situations, as a possible moderator between stress and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. A total of 82 active-duty firefighters (all men, age range = 25–66, M = 33.59, SD = 9.56, range of years in duty service = 2–41, M = 14.37, SD = 11.79), with different duty-related repeated traumatic exposure, participated in the study. We predicted and found that firefighters with low, but not high, expressive flexibility showed a significant positive correlation between duty-related traumatic exposure and PTSD symptomology (t(81) = 3.85, p < 0.001). Hence, the greater the exposure the higher level of symptoms they exhibited. In addition, we found a difference between the moderating roles of suppressing positive and negative emotional expression, as high but not low, ability to suppress the expression of negative emotions (t(81) = 1.76, p > 0.05), as low but not high, ability to suppress the expression of positive emotions (t(81) = 1.6, p > 0.05), served as a protective factor in buffering the deleterious effect of repeated traumatic exposure. The results provide a pivotal support for the growing body of evidence that a flexible emotional profile is an adaptive one, in dealing with negative life events. However, while there is a need to update behavior, the direction of the adaptive update may differ as a function of valance.

Prior disclosure and emotional expression: Interactive effects on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms

2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yung Y Chen ◽  
Min C Kao
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Expression ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Trauma Processing ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Religious Trauma

Background Previous research has revealed mixed findings with regard to the effects of disclosure on trauma recovery. More recently, studies on psychological trauma have found associations among religion, meaning, and health. This study investigated prior disclosure as a moderator for the association between religious emotional expression and adaptive trauma processing, as measured by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Methods Using Pennebaker’s written emotional expression paradigm, 105 participants were assigned to either a conventional trauma-writing condition or religious trauma-writing condition. PTSD symptoms were assessed at baseline and again at one-month post writing. Results A two-way interaction was found between prior disclosure and writing condition on PTSD symptoms at follow-up. For the religious trauma-writing condition only, there was a significant difference between low versus high disclosure participants in PTSD symptoms at follow-up, such that low prior disclosure participants registered fewer PTSD symptoms than high prior disclosure participants, while prior disclosure did not have such effect in the conventional trauma-writing condition. Limitations: This two-way interaction may be further qualified by other important psychosocial variables, such as differences in personality, coping style, social support, or use of prayer as a form of disclosure, which were not assessed in this study. Conclusion Religious emotional expression may encourage adaptive trauma processing, especially for individuals with low prior disclosure. These findings encourage further investigation of the conditions under which disclosure and religion may be a beneficial factor in trauma adaptation and treatment.

scholarly journals Correlations Between Cognitive Functions and Clinical Symptoms in Adolescents With Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yee Jin Shin ◽  
Sun Mi Kim ◽  
Ji Sun Hong ◽  
Doug Hyun Han
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Emotional Perception ◽  
Neurocognitive Functions ◽  
Post Traumatic

Introduction: Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) is characterized by the typical symptoms of PTSD, in addition to affective dysregulation, negative self-concept, and disturbances in interpersonal relationships. Children and adolescents with C-PTSD have been reported to have deficits in emotional and cognitive functions. We hypothesized that the following are associated with the severity of C-PTSD symptoms: (1) adolescents with C-PTSD who show deficits in emotional perception and cognitive functions, including executive function and attention; and (2) deficits in neurocognitive functions.Methods: Information on 69 adolescents with PTSD, aged 10–19 years, was gathered from seven shelters. All participants were assessed using complete clinical scales, including the C-PTSD Interview and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales, and neurocognitive function tests, including the emotional perception, mental rotation, and modified Tower of London tests.Results: Adolescents with C-PTSD were more likely to have a history of sexual assault, dissociation, and self-harm than those with PTSD. The total and subscale scores of the C-PTSD Interview Scale in adolescents with C-PTSD were higher than that in adolescents with PTSD. In addition, neurocognitive functions, including emotional perception, attention, and working memory, were correlated with the severity of C-PTSD symptoms.Discussion: Adolescents with C-PTSD experienced more serious clinical symptoms and showed more deficits in neurocognitive functions than adolescents with PTSD. Clinicians should pay careful attention toward the emotional and neurocognitive functions when assessing and treating patients with C-PTSD.

Oxidative status and the severity of clinical symptoms in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder

2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leda Borovac Štefanović ◽  
Dubravka Kalinić ◽  
Ninoslav Mimica ◽  
Blanka Beer Ljubić ◽  
Jasna Aladrović ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Oxidative Status ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic

Belief systems as coping factors for traumatized refugees: a pilot study

2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 451-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Brune ◽  
Christian Haasen ◽  
Michael Krausz ◽  
Oktay Yagdiran ◽  
Enrique Bustos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Belief System ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Coping Factor

SummaryThe severity of traumatization seems to correlate with a more severe course of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (and other post-traumatic disorders), while firm belief systems have been found to be a protective factor against post-traumatic disorders. This study sought to determine the role of belief systems in the outcome of psychotherapy for traumatized refugees. The charts of 141 consecutively treated refugees were evaluated retrospectively. A firm belief system was found to be an important predictor for a better therapy outcome. The importance of a firm belief system as a coping factor, which should be used as an instrument in therapy, is discussed. © 2002 Éditions scientifiques et médicals Elsevier SAS

scholarly journals Parental Psychological Flexibility as a Mediating Factor of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children after Hospitalization or Surgery

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11699
Author(s):  
Amichai Ben-Ari ◽  
Roy Aloni ◽  
Shiri Ben-David ◽  
Fortu Benarroch ◽  
Daniella Margalit
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Reaction Index ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Mediating Factor

Background: Illness, surgery, and surgical hospitalization are significant stressors for children. Children exposed to such medical events may develop post-traumatic medical syndrome (PMTS, pediatric medical traumatic stress) that could slow their physical and emotional recovery. Objective: This study examined the relationship between the level of parental psychological resilience and the development of PMTS in young children. Method: We surveyed 152 parents of children aged 1–6 who were admitted to the pediatric surgery department. Parents completed questionnaires in two phases. In the first phase, one of the parents completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-ll) and the Parental Psychological Flexibility (PPF) Questionnaire. In the second phase, about three months after discharge, the same parent completed the Young Child PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Checklist (YCPC) and the UCLA (Los Angeles, CA, USA) PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-5 Parent/Caregiver Version for Children Age 6 Years and Younger Evaluating Post-traumatic Disorder. In addition, the parent completed a Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS) questionnaire to assess the existence of post-traumatic symptoms in the parents. Results: The findings indicate that (1) a parent’s psychological flexibility is significantly associated with the level of personal distress (r = −0.45, p < 0.001), (2) a parents’ level of distress is significantly correlated with the child’s level of PTMS, and (3) a parent’s level of psychological flexibility is a significant mediating factor between the level of parental post-traumatic distress and the child’s level of PTMS. Conclusions: A parent’s psychological flexibility may act as a protective factor against the development of the child’s mental distress after hospitalization or surgery.

Neurobiological Pathways Involved in Fear, Stress, and PTSD

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Heim ◽  
Charles B. Nemeroff
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Vulnerability Factors ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Traumatic Exposure ◽  
Stress Sensitization ◽  
Post Traumatic

The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are believed to reflect an inadequate adaptation of neurobiological systems to exposure to severe stressors. A vast number of studies have revealed multiple alterations in neuroendocrine and neurochemical systems in patients with PTSD. It is now evident that certain neurobiological changes in PTSD actually reflect preexisting vulnerability factors that contribute to maladaptive physiological and behavioral responses to traumatic exposure, as well as altered learning and extinction of fear memories. These results suggest the development of novel pathophysiology-driven strategies for intervention that directly target the neurobiological mechanisms that lead to stress sensitization, increased fear memories, and arousal.

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