scholarly journals Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Some Recent Research Findings

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Li ◽  
Ya Zhou ◽  
Xiaoyan Chen ◽  
Fang Fan ◽  
George Musa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Physical Growth ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

Childhood trauma can have a profound effect on development, with a lifelong impact on physical growth, psychological development, and mental health. This chapter provides a framework for adolescent health professionals to understand the impacts of traumatic stress on children and adolescents. This chapter mainly takes the Wenchuan Earthquake studies in China as an example, and reviews recent research findings on epidemiological characteristics of PTSD and related mental disorders, as well as on possible influencing factors and mechanisms for post-traumatic adaptation in children and adolescents. Important intervention strategies for PTSD in children and adolescents are introduced. Prospects for future research are also discussed.

scholarly journals Treatment of adult post-traumatic stress disorder using a future-oriented writing therapy approach

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reginald D. V. Nixon ◽  
Leonard W. Kling
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Ptsd Severity

AbstractThe aim of this pilot study was to test whether a future-oriented expressive writing intervention is able to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity and associated symptoms such as depression and unhelpful trauma-related beliefs. In an uncontrolled pre-/ post-design participants attended 8 weeks of manualized therapy. Assessment was undertaken pre- and post-treatment, and participants also completed a 3-month follow-up assessment. Of the 17 participants who began therapy, 13 were treatment completers. Results indicated a significant decrease in PTSD severity, depression and unhelpful trauma-related cognitions from pre- to post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up. Clinically meaningful change was more modest; however, three participants reported PTSD remission at 3-month follow-up. It is concluded that expressive writing with a focus on achieving future goals and personal change may have some utility in reducing post-traumatic stress but future research will need to investigate this with greater methodological rigour before firm conclusions can be made.

scholarly journals Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for children and adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Esra Teke ◽  
Selahattin Avşaroğlu
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Emdr Therapy

The purpose of the present study is to examine the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for children and adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For this purpose, a framework was determined by using findings of the research and explanations at the conceptual level. PTSD is a mental disorder that is experienced after traumatic events, affects individuals cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally and threatens the integrity of an individual's life. EMDR therapy is a therapy that imaginatively reveals the past or traumatic experiences of the client through eye movements and other bilateral stimuli (two-way sound or tactile stimulus), facilitates information processing processes. Whereas EMDR was initially an approach developed for adults, it was later used for children and adolescents. The fact that it gives positive results in a short time and these positive results continue in follow-up studies has increased the interest in using EMDR for children and adolescents with PTSD. The use of EMDR for children and adolescents has allowed their problems to be resolved in a timely manner and reduced PTSD symptoms. This situation has drawn attention to the importance of using EMDR in the practice of psychological counselors working in school environments, leading places where they work with children and adolescents, and where the first preventive and interventional studies are carried out. Therefore, it is considered that the use of EMDR will be functional in overcoming these negative life experiences of many students who have been directly or indirectly exposed to traumatic experiences during the COVID-19 epidemic period.

Prevalence and Mediating Factors of Post-Traumatic Stress in Professional Fire-Fighters

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (13) ◽  
pp. 1261-1265
Author(s):  
Allison Watters ◽  
Kevin Hamilton ◽  
J. Patrick Neary ◽  
Gregory Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Fire Fighters ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Routine Work ◽  
Post Traumatic

Previous studies on Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) in fire-fighters have typically examined group responses to unusual and traumatic events. In this study, symptoms of PTS were observed in a group of urban Canadian firefighters during routine operations in the context of typical daily work. Participants completed a PTS questionnaire as well as a workplace health questionnaire which assessed environmental and contextual factors in addition to personal health. Elevated levels of PTS were observed in 18.1% of the 105 fire-fighters studied. Those who reported elevated symptoms also reported more concern for financial issues, more worries and more concern about needing physical exercise and support services. These results indicate that emergency response professionals such as fire-fighters can develop elevated levels of PTS in the context of routine work. The findings also suggest that the development of PTS involves a complex relationship between characteristics of stressors, work related variables and other contextual factors specific to the individuals affected. Complex models are needed to account for these types of interactions, particularly in chronically stressful occupational settings. Strategies for mitigating symptoms of PTS are discussed and suggestions for future research are offered

The Association Between Post-Traumatic Stress and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Puerto Ricans in Boston: How Does Loneliness Matter?

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432110641
Author(s):  
Kaipeng Wang ◽  
Anao Zhang ◽  
Adolfo G. Cuevas ◽  
Carson M. De Fries ◽  
Ladson Hinton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Puerto Ricans ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Comorbid Depression ◽  
Post Traumatic

Objectives To examine the association between post-traumatic stress and depression and whether such an association differs by level of loneliness among older Puerto Ricans. Methods Data were collected from 304 Puerto Ricans aged 60 and above living in the Greater Boston area who responded to questionnaires. We used ordinary least squares regression to examine the association between post-traumatic stress, loneliness, and depressive symptoms. Results Post-traumatic stress was significantly associated with higher levels of depression. The association between post-traumatic stress and depression was stronger for those experiencing a higher degree of loneliness. Discussion In working with older Puerto Ricans experiencing post-traumatic stress, it is important for mental health professionals to incorporate the assessment of loneliness and to prevent and reduce comorbid depression by addressing loneliness through improving social skills, enhancing social support, and reducing maladaptive social cognition.

scholarly journals Children and adolescents treated for post-traumatic stress disorder at the Free State Psychiatric Complex

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
F J W Calitz ◽  
N J De Jongh ◽  
A Horn ◽  
M L Nel ◽  
G Joubert
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Free State ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
State Psychiatric ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Mental Health Unit

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Children and adolescents can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after exposure to a range of traumatic events, including domestic, political or community violence, violent crime, physical and sexual abuse, hijacking, witnessing a violent crime and motor vehicle accidents. This is particularly critical given the substantial challenge that PTSD poses to the healthy physical, cognitive and emotional development of children and adolescents.</p><p><strong>Methods.</strong> The clinical records of 1 229 children (age 2 - 11 years) and adolescents (age 12 - 18 years) treated at the Child Mental Health Unit of the Free State Psychiatric Complex (FSPC) were screened for the diagnosis of PTSD and analysed for the purpose of this study.</p><p><strong>Results.</strong> Forty-nine (4.0%) of the children and adolescents treated at the unit were diagnosed with PTSD, of whom most were female (63.3%). Approximately 22% of the participants had comorbid major depressive disorder. The main traumatic event in both groups was witnessing the death of a close relative (32.7%), followed by sexual assault (25%), rape (25%) and physical attack (10.2%). Associated stressors identified included problems at school (55.1%), isolation (39%), fear or anxiety (37%), problematic family relationships (29%), emotional (27%) and physical (23%) abuse, and lack of social support (23%). Most of the participants (59.2%) received psychotherapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions.</strong> Children and adolescents referred to the FSPC are also exposed to traumatic events which lead to the development of PTSD. The Free State is a sprawling province with remote areas where specialist services and facilities are limited. It is therefore recommended that preventive programmes, training opportunities and consultation services are implemented to identify and treat children and adolescents with PTSD. Schools with limited access to psychological services and large classrooms, impeding the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD specifically, face similar challenges. Reinforcement of professional services and the upgrading of facilities will decrease the burden on the Child Mental Health Unit, but will require collaborative efforts from role players such as the National Departments of Health and Education.</p>

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