Volunteers and professional rescue workers: Traumatization and adaptation after an avalanche disaster

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helga Arnfridur Haraldsdóttir, Cand Psych ◽  
Drifa Gudmundsdóttir, PhD ◽  
Eugenia Romano, MSc ◽  
Edda Björk Þórðardóttir, BA ◽  
Berglind Guðmundsdóttir, MSc ◽  
...  

Objective: To compare the degree of traumatization and adaptation in professional and volunteer rescue workers after two snow avalanches. Method: Questionnaires including demographic questions, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the Rescue Workers Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale, and the Coping Styles Questionnaire were answered by rescue workers (n = 168).Results: In several areas, professional rescuers had stronger fears than volunteers, all the same, volunteers were significantly more anxious and met criteria for PTSD caseness more often than professionals.Conclusion: The findings suggest that voluntary rescue workers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms more often than professionals following demanding rescue missions.

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Cacciatore

This research study explores the effects of support groups on traumatic stress responses of women experiencing stillbirth. Women ( N = 47) responded to a mixed method questionnaire. Quantitative results utilizing the Impact of Event Scale Revised demonstrate that women who attend support group, when controlling for time, had fewer post traumatic stress symptoms than did the women who did not attend support group. Qualitative results elucidate the role of support groups in managing grief, suggesting that connectivity with other like women may be a useful strategy in reducing problematic psychological outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiin Jeong ◽  
Ah-Ram Kim ◽  
Claudia Hilton ◽  
Ickpyo Hong

Abstract Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness caused by traumatic events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Accurate diagnosis of this disorder is critical to establish effective intervention approaches. The Impact of Event Scale-6 (IES-6) is widely used for PTSD screening, but there has been no research on its psychometric properties with individuals who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A random sample of 600 participants were randomly selected from a COVID-19 survey database (n = 6,391). Rasch analysis was conducted to examine item fit, rating scale structure, construct validity, differential item functioning (DIF), and precision of the IES-6. Results: The principal component analysis of Rasch residuals (54.1% of the raw variance explained) and the average of residual correlations (average r = .19) supported the unidimensionality structure in the IES-6. The rating scale was suitable, and the item difficulty hierarchy was logical. The item fit and the DIF contrast were acceptable, except for item 5. The IES-6’s person reliability was .76, which was also an acceptable level.Conclusions: This study showed that the IES-6 has acceptable item-level psychometrics for screening PTSD in adults in the United States for individuals who have experienced the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggested that the IES-6 would be useful for the rapid identification of PTSD and allow clinicians to quickly provide interventions for people with the disorder and their families.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Davico ◽  
Ada Ghiggia ◽  
Daniele Marcotulli ◽  
Federica Ricci ◽  
Federico Amianto ◽  
...  

Aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has abruptly changed the life of millions as travel and social contacts have been severely restricted. We assessed the psychological impact of COVID-19 on adults and children, with special attention to health care workers (HCWs).Methods: A self-rated online survey, including the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) for adults and the Children Revised Impact of Event Scale-Revised-13 items (CRIES-13) for their 8–18-year-old offspring, was conducted in Italy on March 20–26, 2020. Linear mixed-effects models were applied to the data, accounting for age, sex, education, and other demographic characteristics.Results: Data were available from 2,419 adults (78.4% females, mean age 38.1 ± SD 13.1 years; 15.7% HCW) and 786 children (50.1% male, mean age 12.3 ± 3.2 years). Median (IQR) IES-R score was 30.0 (21.0–40.0), corresponding to mild psychological impact, with 33.2% reporting severe psychological impact. IES-R was lower in HCWs (29.0) than non-HCWs (31.0), but HCWs directly involved in COVID-19 care had higher scores [33.0 (26.0–43.2)] than uninvolved HCWs [28.0 (19.0–36.0)]. Median CRIES-13 score was [21.0 (11.0–32.0)], with 30.9% of the children at high risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. Parent and child scores were correlated.Conclusions: Up to 30% of adult and children in the pandemic area are at high risk for post-traumatic stress disturbances. The risk is greater for HCWs directly involved in COVID-19 care and for their children.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 543-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Nakić Radoš ◽  
Erin Burn ◽  
Susan Ayers ◽  
Alexandra Sawyer

Porođaj je normativni čin u životu žene i uglavnom se smatra pozitivnim događajem. Međutim, svaka treća žena doživi porođaj kao tjelesnu prijetnju za sebe i/ili za svoje novorođenče te 3 % žena nakon porođaja razvije posttraumatski stresni poremećaj (PTSP). Dosadašnja istraživanja upućuju na to da su slabe strategije suočavanja povezane s PTSP-om nakon porođaja, međutim, ta su se istraživanja uglavnom koristila jednodimenzionalnim mjerama strategija suočavanja. Drugim riječima, tek valja ispitati koje specifične dimenzije suočavanja pridonose PTSP-u nakon porođaja. Ciljevi su ovog istraživanja ispitati simptome PTSP-a nakon porođaja te kako su različiti stilovi suočavanja povezani sa simptomima PTSP-a i depresije kod žena u Hrvatskoj. Žene (N = 160) koje su rodile unatrag dvije godine ispunile su online upitnik koji mjeri simptome PTSP-a (Impact of Event Scale – IES), poslijeporođajnu depresiju (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale – EPDS) te stilove suočavanja (Brief Cope). U ovom je uzorku 1.9 % ispitanica izvijestilo o ozbiljnim simptomima PTSP-a nakon porođaja, a 21.9 % ih je izvijestilo o depresivnim simptomima. Većina je žena (66.7 %) sa simptomima PTSP-a izvijestila i o depresivnim simptomima. S druge strane, 28.6 % žena s depresivnim simptomima također je izvijestilo i o simptomima PTSP-a, što upućuje na viši komorbiditet PTSP-a i depresije nego obrnuto. Od izbjegavajućih su stilova suočavanja poricanje i samookrivljavanje pozitivno korelirali sa simptomima PTSP-a i depresije, dok je odustajanje pozitivno koreliralo samo sa simptomima PTSP-a, a odvraćanje pažnje sa simptomima depresije. Također, niže razine planiranja i više razine emocionalne podrške bile su povezane s višom razinom depresivnosti. Međutim, nakon kontroliranja poslijeporođajnih psihopatoloških simptoma stilovi suočavanja nisu bili značajni prediktori simptoma PTPS-a, ali je samookrivljavanje bilo značajni prediktor depresivnih simptoma. Žene u Hrvatskoj izvještavaju o psihopatološkim simptomima nakon porođaja te su oni povezani sa stilovima suočavanja. Izbjegavajući stil suočavanja, samookrivljavanje, posebno je povezan s depresivnim simptomima. Buduća bi istraživanja trebala ispitati prediktore PTSP-a kod hrvatskih žena u reprezentativnijim uzorcima u trudnoći te s praćenjem nakon porođaja. Također, probir za poslijeporođajne psihopatološke simptome trebao bi se provoditi i za simptome depresije i za simptome PTSP-a.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-22
Author(s):  
M. S. Tareen ◽  
C. McDowell ◽  
K. Naqvi ◽  
A. Bashir ◽  
P. Keenan ◽  
...  

In the aftermath of the major earthquake that hit Pakistan in 2005, there appeared to be a paucity of psychometric tools validated in Urdu. It was decided to translate the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R) so as to obtain an internationally validated and recognised psychometric tool for use in research into post-traumatic stress disorder. The resulting Urdu and English versions of the IES-R were compared for linguistic, conceptual and scale equivalence. The Urdu version of the IES-R (UIES-R) can be used for clinical, psychological trauma populations in Pakistan with evidence of good reliability and satisfactory validity. In trauma research in Pakistan the UIES-R will be an extremely useful psychometric tool.


1995 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maritza Thompson ◽  
Patrick McGorry

Torture has existed since the earliest times, usually as public punishment prior to death. Today it is predominantly used in secret with the aim of destroying the individual's personality. The effects of torture include severe physical and psychological sequelae which have only recently come under scrutiny. In recent years many Chilean and El Salvadorean migrants have left their countries after being tortured and severely traumatised as a result of organised violence. The aim of this study was to pilot an investigation into the psychological sequelae of torture. Subjects were 30 Chileans and El Salvadoreans classified into three groups: torture, trauma and non-torture/trauma migrants. It was found to be feasible to access and interview survivors from a clinical research perspective without causing additional psychological morbidity. The subjects were interviewed and administered three scales: the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale, SCL-90-R, and the Impact of Event Scale. The results from the scales and the descriptive data presented indicate some support for the hypothesis that torture survivors show higher levels of PTSD, psychosomatic impairment and stress response disturbance than the trauma and non-torture/trauma groups. Methodological issues are discussed. The strengths and limitations of this preliminary study are considered in relation to future research.


2002 ◽  
Vol 180 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva C. Sundin ◽  
Mardi J. Horowitz

BackgroundFor more than 20 years, the Impact of Event Scale (IES) has been widely used as a measure of stress reactions after traumatic events.AimsTo review studies that evaluated the IES's psychometric properties.MethodLiterature review.ResultsThe results indicated that the IES's two-factor structure is stable over different types of events, that it can discriminate between stress reactions at different times after the event, and that it has convergent validity with observer-diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder. The use of IES in many psychopharmacological trials and outcome studies is supportive of the measure's clinical relevance.ConclusionsThe IES is a useful measure of stress reactions after a range of traumatic events, and it is valuable for detecting individuals who require treatment.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 848-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuzuru Kawashima ◽  
Daisuke Nishi ◽  
Hiroko Noguchi ◽  
Masato Usuki ◽  
Akihiro Yamashita ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and burnout 4 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake among medical rescue workers in Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs).MethodsWe examined participants’ background characteristics, prior health condition, rescue work experiences, and the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) score at 1 month after the earthquake. Current psychological condition was assessed by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised and Maslach Burnout Inventory administered 4 years after the earthquake. By applying univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses, we assessed the relative value of the PDI and other baseline variables for PTSD symptoms and burnout at 4 years after the earthquake.ResultsWe obtained baseline data from 254 participants during April 2 to 22, 2011. Of the 254 participants, 188 (74.0%) completed the follow-up assessment. PDI score 1 month after the earthquake was associated with symptoms of PTSD (β=0.35, P<.01) and burnout (β=0.21, P<.01). Stress before deployment was a related factor for burnout 4 years after the earthquake in these medical rescue workers (β=2.61, P<.04).ConclusionsIt seems important for DMAT headquarters to establish a routine system for assessing the PDI of medical rescue workers after deployment and screen those workers who have high stress prior to deployment (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:848–853)


2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Jonsson ◽  
Kerstin Segesten

AbstractIntroduction:This study investigated the prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms among professional ambulance personnel in Sweden and investigated the question: “Does self-knowledge have influence on how well one copes with the effects of daily work exposure from such events?” Little is known about the variables that might be associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms in highrisk occupational groups such as ambulance service groups.Methods:Data were gathered from ambulance personnel by means of an anonymous questionnaire. Survey responses of 362 ambulance personnel from the county of Västra Götaland were analyzed. A correlation was established between post-traumatic symptoms using the impact of event scale (IES-15) and the Professional Self-Description Form (PSDF).Results:Of those who reported a traumatic situation, 21.5% scored ≥ 26 on the IES-15 subscale. Scores >26 indicate “PTSD caseness”. There were significant differences on PSDF subscales between those presenting with or without posttraumatic symptoms.Conclusions:The mental health and emotional well-being of ambulance personnel appear to be compromised by accident and emergency work. The high prevalence of PTSD symptoms in ambulance personnel indicates an inability to cope with post-traumatic stress caused by daily work experiences.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vilija Malinauskienė ◽  
Lina Bernotaitė

Background. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) is often used as a  self-report instrument for symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTS). The objective of this study was to explore the reliability and validity of the Lithuanian IES-R in a sample of employees with exposure to workplace bullying in different occupations. Materials and methods. The  original IES-R was translated into Lithuanian, and the  comparability of content was verified through back-translation procedures. 294 employees with exposure to workplace bullying (52 teachers from the secondary schools of Kaunas, 56 family physicians, 101 nurses of internal medicine departments, 40 waiters, and 45 seafarers) were administered the  Lithuanian IES-R and the  General Health Questionnaire  –  12 (GHQ-12) in order to verify some aspects of convergent validity. The  exploratory factor analysis was used to verify the construct validity of the IES-R. Results. The reliability of the Lithuanian version of the IES-R was verified. Cronbach’s α of the total scale was 0.95. Exploratory factor analysis showed a clear factor structure with three independent dimensions: intrusion, avoidance and hyperarousal. Cronbach’s α for subscales of intrusion, avoidance and hyperarousal were 0.89, 0.85, and 0.88, respectively. The convergent validity was supported by positive correlations between the subscales (intrusion, avoidance, hyperarousal) and the GHQ-12. Conclusions. The results suggest that the self-reported Lithuanian IES-R is a valid instrument for assessing the dimensions of post-traumatic stress, has good psychometric properties, and may be applied in prolonged trauma-exposed populations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document