| 1. |
- Arnberg, Filip K, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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Social support moderates posttraumatic stress and general distress after disaster
- 2012
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In: Journal of Traumatic Stress. - : Wiley. - 0894-9867 .- 1573-6598. ; 25:6, s. 721-727
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Social support buffers the negative impact of stressful events. Less, however, is known about the characteristics of this association in the context of disaster and findings have been discrepant regarding direct and buffering effects. This study tested whether the protective effects of social support differed across levels of exposure severity (i.e., buffered distress) and assessed whether the buffering effect differed between event-specific and general distress. Participants were 4,600 adult Swedish tourists (44% of invited; 55% women) repatriated within 3 weeks after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. A survey 14 months after the disaster included the Crisis Support Scale, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Social support buffered the negative impact of exposure on both outcomes. The support and distress association ranged from very small in participants with low exposure to moderate in those with high exposure (ηp2 = .004 to .053). The buffering effect was not found to differ between the IES-R and GHQ-12, F(2, 4589) = 0.87, p = .42. The findings suggest that social support moderates the stressor-distress relationship after disasters. This study might help explain discrepant findings and point to refinements of postdisaster interventions.
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| 2. |
- Arnberg, Filip K, et al.
(author)
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Traumatic bereavement, acute dissociation, and posttraumatic stress : 14 years after the MS Estonia disaster
- 2011
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In: Journal of Traumatic Stress. - : Wiley. - 0894-9867 .- 1573-6598. ; 24:2, s. 183-190
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This prospective longitudinal study aimed to examine posttraumatic stress in survivors 14 years after a ferry disaster, and estimate short- and long-term changes in stress associated with traumatic bereavement and acute dissociation. There were 852 people who perished in the disaster, 137 survived. The 51 Swedish survivors were surveyed with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) at 3 months, 1, 3, and 14 years (response rates 82%, 65%, 51%, and 69%). Symptoms decreased from 3 months to 1 year; no change was found thereafter. After 14 years, 27% reported significant symptoms. Traumatic bereavement, but not acute dissociation, was associated with long-term symptom elevation. Chronic posttraumatic stress can persist in a minority of survivors, and traumatic bereavement appears to hinder recovery.
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| 3. |
- Berg, Lisa, et al.
(author)
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Parental Posttraumatic Stress and School Performance in Refugee Children
- 2022
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In: Journal of Traumatic Stress. - : Wiley. - 0894-9867 .- 1573-6598. ; 35:1, s. 138-147
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Refugee children in the Nordic countries have been reported to perform poorly in school and carry a high burden of familial posttraumatic stress. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of maternal and paternal posttraumatic stress on the school performance of refugee children. We used national register data on school grades at age 15-16 along with demographic and migration indicators during 2011-2017 in a population of 18,831 children in refugee families in Stockholm County, Sweden. Parental posttraumatic stress was identified in regional data from three levels of care, including a tertiary treatment center for victims of torture and war. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were fitted to analyze (a) mean grade point averages as Z scores and (b) eligibility for upper secondary school. In fully adjusted models, children exposed to paternal posttraumatic stress had a lower mean grade point average, SD = -0.14, 95% CI [-0.22, -0.07], and higher odds of not being eligible for upper secondary education, OR = 1.37, 95% CI [1.14, 1.65]. Maternal posttraumatic stress had a similar crude effect on school performance, SD = -0.15, 95% CI [-0.22, -0.07], OR = 1.25, 95% CI [1.00, 1.55], which was attenuated after adjusting for single-parent households and the use of child psychiatric services. The effects were similar for boys and girls as well as for different levels of care. Parental posttraumatic stress had a small negative effect on school performance in refugee children, adding to the intergenerational consequences of psychological trauma.
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| 4. |
- Bergh Johannesson, Kerstin, et al.
(author)
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Prolonged Grief Among Traumatically Bereaved Relatives Exposed and Not Exposed to a Tsunami
- 2011
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In: Journal of Traumatic Stress. - : Wiley. - 0894-9867 .- 1573-6598. ; 24:4, s. 456-464
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Numerous studies on the mental health consequences of traumatic exposure to a disaster compare those exposed to those not exposed. Relatively few focus on the effect of the death of a close relative caused by the disaster-suffering a traumatic bereavement. This study compared the impact on 345 participants who lost a close relative in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, but who were themselves not present, to 141 who not only lost a relative, but also were themselves exposed to the tsunami. The focus was on psychological distress assessed during the second year after the sudden bereavement. Findings were that exposure to the tsunami was associated with prolonged grief (B = 3.81) and posttraumatic stress reactions (B 665), and doubled the risk for impaired mental health. Loss of children increased the risk for psychological distress (prolonged grief B = 692; The Impact of Event Scale-Revised: B = 610; General Health Questionnaire-12: OR = 2.34). Women had a higher frequency of prolonged grief For men, loss of children presented a higher risk for prolonged grief in relation to other types of bereavement (B = 636 vs. loss of partner). Further long-term follow-up could deepen the understanding of how recovery after traumatic loss is facilitated.
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| 5. |
- Bergh Johannesson, Kerstin, et al.
(author)
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The effect of Traumatic Bereavement on Tsunami-Exposed Survivors
- 2009
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In: Journal of Traumatic Stress. - : Wiley. - 0894-9867 .- 1573-6598. ; 22:6, s. 497-504
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fourteen months after the 2004 tsunami, mental health outcome was assessed in 187 bereaved relatives, 308 bereaved friends, and in 3,020 nonbereaved Swedish survivors. Of the bereaved relatives, 41% reported posttraumatic stress reactions and 62% reported impaired general mental health. Having been caught or chased by the tsunami in combination with bereavement was associated with increased posttraumatic stress reactions. Complicated grief reactions among relatives were almost as frequent as posttraumatic stress reactions. The highest levels of psychological distress were found among those who had lost children. Traumatic bereavement, in combination with exposure to life danger, is probably a risk factor for mental health sequelae after a natural disaster.
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| 6. |
- Haravuori, Henna, et al.
(author)
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Effects of media exposure on adolescents traumatized in a school shooting
- 2011
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In: Journal of Traumatic Stress. - : Wiley. - 0894-9867 .- 1573-6598. ; 24:1, s. 70-7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study analyzes the impact of the media on adolescents traumatized in a school shooting. Participants were trauma-exposed students (n = 231) and comparison students (n = 526), aged 13-19 years. A questionnaire that included the Impact of Event Scale and a 36-item General Health Questionnaire was administered 4 months after the shooting. Being interviewed was associated with higher scores on the Impact of Event Scale (p = .005), but posttraumatic symptoms did not differ between those who refused to be interviewed and those not approached by reporters. Following a higher number of media outlets did not affect symptoms.
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| 7. |
- Isaksson, Johan, et al.
(author)
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The Role of Gender in the Associations Among Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Anger, and Aggression in Russian Adolescents
- 2020
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In: Journal of Traumatic Stress. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0894-9867 .- 1573-6598. ; 33:4, s. 552-563
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been linked to anger and aggressive behavior in adult and veteran populations. However, research on the associations among anger, aggression, and PTSD in adolescents is lacking, particularly regarding differences between the sexes. To address this research gap, we used self-report data from Russian adolescents (N = 2,810; age range: 13-17 years) to perform a full path analysis examining the associations between PTSD symptoms and the emotional (anger traits) and cognitive (rumination) components of anger as well as physical/verbal and social aggression, after adjusting for depressive symptoms. We also examined the interaction effects between PTSD symptoms and sex on anger and aggression. The results indicated that girls scored higher on measures of anger and PTSD symptoms, ds = 0.20-0.32, whereas boys scored higher on measures of physical and verbal aggression, d = 0.54. Clinical levels of PTSD symptoms were associated with anger rumination, β = .16, and trait anger, β = .06, and an interaction effect for PTSD symptoms and sex was found for aggression, whereby boys with clinical levels of PTSD symptoms reported more physical/verbal and social aggression, βs = .05 and .20, respectively. Our findings suggest that PTSD symptoms may have an important impact on anger, anger rumination, and aggression during adolescence. In particular, boys seem to have an increased risk for aggressive behavior in the presence of PTSD symptoms. The present results highlight the importance of taking anger and aggression into account when evaluating PTSD.
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| 8. |
- Larsson, Gerry
(author)
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Dimensional Analysis of the Impact of Event Scale Using Structural Equation Modeling
- 2000
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In: Journal of Traumatic Stress. - 0894-9867 .- 1573-6598. ; 13:2, s. 193-204
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The dimensionality of the Impact of Event Scale (IES) was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Responses from 321 individuals (62% response) who had experienced a mass murder of seven people 8 months earlier were obtained. A model with a general factor and three subordinate specific factors—Intrusiveness, Avoidance, and Sleep Disturbance—was developed. Scores on the original IES subscales and the SEM factors were related to scores on the General Health Questionnaire. It was concluded that the original subscales could, to a certain degree, be regarded as a reflection of negative affectivity. A more differentiated pattern emerged using the specific latent variables from the SEM analysis.
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| 9. |
- Michel, P-O., et al.
(author)
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Stress Reactions Among Swedish Peacekeeping Soldiers Serving in Bosnia : A longitudinell study
- 2003
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In: Journal of Traumatic Stress. - 0894-9867 .- 1573-6598. ; 16:6, s. 589-593
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Assessments of mental health (GHQ-28) were performed on a Swedish battalion serving in Bosnia at 4 times: before deployment, immediately after deployment, 6 months after deployment, and 1 year after deployment. Complete responses were obtained from 316 participants (61% response rate). No significant change of mental health over time was noted. Individuals having experienced traumatic events in Bosnia, as well as stressful life events postdeployment, reported the poorest mental health. Logistic regression analysis showed that postdeployment stressors made the strongest contribution to registering a poor mental health score after one year.
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| 10. |
- Pfaltz, Monique C., et al.
(author)
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Reexperiencing symptoms, dissociation, and avoidance behaviors in daily life of patients With PTSD and patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia
- 2013
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In: Journal of Traumatic Stress. - : Wiley. - 0894-9867 .- 1573-6598. ; 26:4, s. 443-450
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Panic attacks are frequently perceived as life threatening. Panic disorder (PD) patients may therefore experience symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The authors explored this in 28 healthy controls, 17 PTSD patients, and 24 PD patients with agoraphobia who completed electronic diaries 36 times during 1 week. Patient groups frequently reported dissociation as well as thoughts, memories, and reliving of their trauma or panic attacks. PTSD patients reported more trauma/panic attack thoughts (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 2.9) and memories (IRR = 2.8) than PD patients. Patient groups relived their trauma or panic attacks equally frequently, and reported comparable bodily reactions and distress associated with trauma or panic attack memories. Clinical groups avoided trauma or panic attack reminders more often than healthy controls (avoidance of trauma- or panic attack-related thoughts (IRR = 8.0); avoidance of things associated with the trauma or panic attack (IRR = 40.7). PD patients avoided trauma or panic attack reminders less often than PTSD patients (avoidance of trauma- or panic attack-related thoughts [IRR = 2.5]; avoidance of things associated with the trauma or panic attack [IRR = 4.1]), yet these differences were nonsignificant when controlling for functional impairment. In conclusion, trauma-like symptoms are common in PD with agoraphobia and panic attacks may be processed similarly as trauma in PTSD. © 2013 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.
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