1. |
- Ahmed Pihlgren, Sara, et al.
(author)
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Exploring healthcare workers' experiences of a simple intervention to reduce their intrusive memories of psychological trauma: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
- 2024
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In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTRAUMATOLOGY. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 15:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Many healthcare workers (HCWs) endured psychologically traumatic events at work during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. For some, these events are re-experienced as unwanted, recurrent, and distressing intrusive memories. Simple psychological support measures are needed to reduce such symptoms of post-traumatic stress in this population. A novel intervention to target intrusive memories, called an imagery-competing task intervention (ICTI), has been developed from the laboratory. The intervention includes a brief memory reminder cue, then a visuospatial task (Tetris (R) gameplay using mental rotation instructions for approximately 20 min) thought to interfere with the traumatic memory image and reduce its intrusiveness. The intervention has been adapted and evaluated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with Swedish HCWs (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04460014).Objective: We aimed to explore how HCWs who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced the use of a brief intervention to reduce their intrusive memories of work-related trauma.Method: Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used for in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of HCWs who used the intervention. Seven participants from the RCT were interviewed by an independent researcher without prior knowledge of the intervention. Interviews were conducted via telephone and transcribed verbatim.Results: Four general themes were generated: 'Triggers and troublesome images', 'Five Ws regarding support - what, when, why, by/with who, for whom', 'Receiving it, believing it, and doing it' and 'The intervention - a different kind of help'; the last two included two subthemes each. The results reflect participants' similarities and differences in their lived experiences of intrusive memories, support measures, and intervention impressions and effects.Conclusion: HCWs' experiences of the novel ICTI reflect a promising appraisal of the intervention as a potential help measure for reducing intrusive memories after trauma, and gives us a detailed understanding of HCWs' needs, with suggestions for its adaption for future implementation.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04460014. Many healthcare workers experience images or 'flashbacks' of traumatic experiences from their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.To ensure that individual needs are met, there is a need to tailor and refine current psychological support measures and their use for healthcare workers.The imagery-competing task intervention was perceived as acceptable, indicating its potential utility as a help measure to reduce intrusive memories after trauma. Antecedentes: Los trabajadores de la salud (HCW, por sus siglas en ingles) sufrieron eventos psicologicamente traumaticos en el trabajo durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Para algunos, estos acontecimientos se vuelven a experimentar como recuerdos intrusivos no deseados, recurrentes y angustiosos. Se necesitan medidas simples de apoyo psicologico para reducir estos sintomas de estres postraumatico en esta poblacion. En el laboratorio se ha desarrollado una nueva intervencion para abordar los recuerdos intrusivos, conocida como Intervencion de Tareas Competitivas de Imagenes (ICTI, por sus siglas en ingles). La intervencion incluye una breve senal de recordatorio de la memoria, luego una tarea visoespacial (juego de Tetris (R) que utiliza instrucciones de rotacion mental durante aproximadamente 20 minutos) que se cree que interfiere con la imagen de la memoria traumatica y reduce su intrusion. La intervencion se ha adaptado y evaluado recientemente en un ECA (ensayo controlado aleatorizado) con trabajadores sanitarios suecos (identificador de ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04460014). Aqui nuestro objetivo es explorar como los participantes del ECA experimentaron la nueva intervencion.Objetivo: Explorar como los trabajadores sanitarios que trabajaron durante la pandemia por COVID-19 experimentaron el uso de una intervencion breve para reducir sus recuerdos intrusivos del trauma relacionado con el trabajo.Metodo: Se utilizo un analisis fenomenologico interpretativo para comprender en profundidad las experiencias vividas por los trabajadores sanitarios que utilizaron la intervencion. Siete participantes del ECA fueron entrevistados por un investigador independiente sin conocimiento previo de la intervencion. Las entrevistas se realizaron por telefono y se transcribieron palabra por palabra.Resultados: Se generaron cuatro temas generales, 'Desencadenantes e imagenes problematicas', 'Cinco preguntas sobre el apoyo: que, cuando, por que, por/con quien, para quien', 'Recibirlo, creerlo y hacerlo' y 'La intervencion. - una ayuda diferente', los dos ultimos incluian dos subtemas cada uno. Los resultados reflejan similitudes y diferencias de los participantes en sus experiencias vividas de recuerdos intrusivos, medidas de apoyo e impresiones y efectos de la intervencion.Conclusion: Las experiencias de los trabajadores sanitarios con el nuevo ICTI reflejan una evaluacion prometedora de la intervencion como una posible medida de ayuda para reducir los recuerdos intrusivos despues del trauma, y nos brinda una comprension detallada de las necesidades de los trabajadores sanitarios, con sugerencias sobre como adaptarse para una implementacion futura.
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2. |
- Aho, Nikolas, et al.
(author)
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Peritraumatic reactions in relation to trauma exposure and symptoms of posttraumatic stress in high school students
- 2017
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 8:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Exposure to traumatic events is clearly associated with a diversity of subsequent mental health problems, with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the most prevalent disorder. Epidemiologically, trauma exposure rates are more prevalent than PTSD, indicating that most trauma victims do not develop PTSD. More knowledge is needed to understand the development of the different posttraumatic pathways including the significance of pretraumatic, peritraumatic and posttraumatic risk factors. Objective: To study peritraumatic reactions in relation to trauma exposure and symptoms of posttraumatic stress and to enhance our understanding of peritraumatic reactions as mediators between trauma and later symptomatology. Method: The study was composed of a representative community sample of 5332 second year high school students (mean age 17.3 years) who completed the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (SAQ/JVQ), Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC) and answered questions about peritraumatic reactions. Mediation effects of peritraumatic reactions on the trauma exposure relationship to symptoms was tested using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. Results: Traumatic events are common (84.1%) and are accompanied in three-quarters of the students with at least one form of peritraumatic reaction. Peritraumatic reactions, especially peritraumatic dissociative reactions, mediate the relationship between trauma exposure and symptoms, and gender moderates the effect of peritraumatic dissociation. This moderating effect was found to be larger for boys than for girls, indicating gender differences in response to trauma. Conclusions: The results indicate the need to screen for peritraumatic reactions as early as possible after a traumatic event in order to identify those at risk for PTSD.
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4. |
- Alozkan Sever, Cansu, et al.
(author)
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Feasibility and acceptability of Problem Management Plus with Emotional Processing (PM plus EP) for refugee youth living in the Netherlands : study protocol
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Refugee youth experience hardships associated with exposure to trauma in their homelands and during and after displacement, which results in higher rates of common mental disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed Problem Management Plus (PM+), a non-specialist-delivered brief psychological intervention, for individuals who have faced adversity. PM+ comprises problem-solving, stress management, behavioural activation and strengthening social support. However, it does not include an emotional processing component, which is indicated in trauma-exposed populations. Objective This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of PM+, adapted to Syrian, Eritrean and Iraqi refugee youth residing in the Netherlands, with and without a newly developed Emotional Processing (EP) Module. Methods Refugee youth (N = 90) between 16 and 25 years of age will be randomized into PM+ with care-as-usual (CAU), (n = 30), PM+ with Emotional Processing (PM+EP) with CAU (n = 30) or CAU only (n = 30). Inclusion criteria are self-reported psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale; K10 > 15) and impaired daily functioning (WHO Disability Assessment Schedule; WHODAS 2.0 > 16). Participants will be assessed at baseline, one-week post-intervention and three-month follow-up. The main outcome is the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted PM+ and PM+EP. The secondary outcomes are self-reported psychological distress, functional impairment, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and diagnosis, social support, and self-identified problems. The pilot RCT will be succeeded by a process evaluation including trial participants, participants' significant others, helpers, and mental health professionals (n = 20) to evaluate their experiences with the PM+ and PM+EP programmes. Results and Conclusion This is the first study that evaluates the feasibility of PM+ for this age range with an emotional processing module integrated. The results may inform larger RCTs and implementation of PM+ interventions among refugee youth.
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5. |
- Arnberg, Filip K, 1981-, et al.
(author)
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Fifteen years after a ferry disaster : Clinical interviews and survivors’ self-assessment of their experience
- 2013
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 4, s. 20650-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background:Disasters yield increased rates of psychological disorders decades later. Other consequences, however, have received little attention in the past.Objective:We aimed to examine diagnostic status and survivors’ views on disaster-related consequences and social support.Methods:A mixed-methods approach was used with 22 survivors (of 49 eligible) 15 years after a ferry disaster. Data collection included audiotaped interviews with open-ended questions and diagnostic assessment of Axis-I disorders.Results:The post-disaster incidence was 54% (12/22) for Axis-I disorders, and 45% (10/22) for full or subsyndromal posttraumatic stress disorder. Thematic analysis revealed that survivor perception of the longterm consequences included positive (character change) and negative aspects (being ascribed a survivor identity). Participants’ sought social support for several years, yet many felt hindered by experiential dissimilarity and distress of significant others.Conclusions:Axis-I disorders were prevalent, but not salient to survivors’ perceptions in the long-term. Postdisaster interventions need to attend to common barriers to support.
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7. |
- Bondjers, Kristina, et al.
(author)
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Similarity in symptom patterns of posttraumatic stress among disaster-survivors : a three-step latent profile analysis
- 2018
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 9:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Individuals express symptoms of posttraumatic stress in various ways, noted for example in the many symptom combinations in the diagnostic manuals. Studies aiming to examine differences of symptom presentations by extracting latent classes or profiles indicate both the presence of subtypes with differing symptomatology and subtypes distinguished by severity levels. Few studies have examined subtype associations with long-term outcomes. Objective: The current study aimed to apply latent profile analysis on posttraumatic stress (PTS) in a highly homogenous sample of Swedish tourists exposed to the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami and to examine if classes differed in their long-term outcome. Methods: An latent profile analysis was conducted using self-report data collected one year after the disaster from 1638 highly exposed survivors that endorsed 1 symptom of PTS. Associations were examined between the classes and predictors of PTS (loss of a relative or friend, subjective life threat) and levels of PTS at a three-year follow up. Results: The latent profile analysis indicated four classes: minimal, low, moderate, and severe symptoms. The classes were distinguished mainly by their levels of PTS. Loss of a relative or friend and subjective life threat were associated with a higher likelihood of belonging to any other class than the minimal class. The severity level of the classes at one year were predictive of PTS severity at the three-year follow-up. Conclusions: Homogeneous profiles of posttraumatic stress differing mainly in symptom severity were found in this sample of disaster survivors. Profile diversity may be related to sample variation and unmeasured confounders rather than reflect qualitatively different disorders.
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8. |
- Bondjers, Kristina, et al.
(author)
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Validation of a clinician-administered diagnostic measure of ICD-11 PTSD and Complex PTSD : the International Trauma Interview in a Swedish sample
- 2019
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 10:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The recently published ICD-11 includes substantial changes to the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and introduces the diagnosis of Complex PTSD (CPTSD). The International Trauma Interview (ITI) has been developed for clinicians to assess these new diagnoses but has not yet been evaluated.Objectives: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Swedish translation of the ITI by examining the interrater agreement, latent structure, internal consistency, and convergent and discriminant validity.Methods: In a prospective study, 186 adults who had experienced a potentially traumatic event were assessed with the ITI and answered questionnaires for symptoms of posttraumatic stress, other psychiatric disorders, functional disability, and quality of life (QoL).Results: The diagnostic rate was 16% for PTSD and 6% for CPTSD. Interrater agreement was satisfactory (α = .76), and confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a two-factor second-20 order model consistent with the ICD-11 model of CPTSD provided acceptable fit to the data. Composite reliability analysis demonstrated that the ITI possessed acceptable internal reliability, and associations with measures of other psychiatric disorders, insomnia, functional disability, and QoL supported the concurrent validity of the ITI.Conclusion: Swedish ITI shows promise as a clinician-administered instrument to assess and diagnose ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD.
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9. |
- Bragesjö, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Demanding and effective : participants' experiences of internet-delivered prolonged exposure provided within two months after exposure to trauma
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The use of remotely delivered early intervention after trauma may prevent and/or reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Our research group evaluated a novel three-week therapist-guided internet-delivered intervention based on prolonged exposure (Condensed Internet-Delivered Prolonged Exposure; CIPE) in a pilot trial. The results indicated that the intervention was feasible, acceptable and reduced symptoms of post-traumatic stress at post-intervention compared to a waiting-list condition. Exposure to traumatic memories can be emotionally demanding and there is a need for detailed investigation of participants' experiences in receiving this type of intervention remotely.Objective: Investigate participants' experiences of receiving CIPE early after trauma.Method: In this study, qualitative thematic analysis was used and semi-structured interviews with 11 participants six months after intervention completion were conducted. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim.Results: One overarching theme labelled as 'demanding and effective' was identified. Participants expressed that treatment effects could only be achieved by putting in a lot of effort and by being emotionally close to the trauma memory during exposure exercises. Participants reported CIPE to be a highly credible- and educative intervention that motivated them to fully engage in exposure exercises. The most distressing parts of the intervention was perceived as tolerable and important to do to heal psychologically after trauma. For many participants, the possibility to engage in the intervention whenever and where it suited them was helpful, although some participants described it as challenging to find a balance between their own responsibility and when to expect therapist support. The internet-based format was perceived as a safe forum for self-disclosure that helped some participants overcome avoidance due to shame during imaginal exposure.Conclusion: CIPE was considered demanding, yet effective by the interviewed participants. The most distressing parts of the intervention was perceived to be the most important and were tolerable and feasible to provide online.
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10. |
- Brennen, Tim, et al.
(author)
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Investigating the frequency of intrusive memories after 24 hours using a visuospatial interference intervention : a follow-up and extension
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background There is a need for effective, low-cost, readily available measures for reducing trauma symptoms so that people exposed to potentially traumatic events can receive help more quickly. A previous study reported that performing an intervention including a visuospatial task shortly after a reminder of a series of unpleasant film clips seen 24 hours earlier reduced the number of intrusive memories over the following week. Objective This study reports a follow-up and extension of the earlier promising finding. The prediction was that participants performing the visuospatial task immediately after the reminder would report fewer intrusions compared to three other groups who 1) performed no task, and novel conditions who 2) performed the task before the reminder, and 3) performed the task 90 minutes after the reminder. Method A trauma-analogue method was used, where students (N = 200) watched a series of short films with unpleasant material. Over the following week, they were asked to write down any intrusive memories they experienced in a diary. On the second day they returned to the lab and saw static reminders of the films. They were then randomly allocated to condition, recorded intrusive memories over the following days and returned to the lab for final testing on Day 8. Results A total of 49 participants did not report any intrusions and were excluded from the analyses. Two more participants were excluded as outliers, leaving a final sample of n = 149. Despite using largely the same materials as the original study there were no significant differences in the number of intrusive memories between the four groups post intervention. Conclusions Possible explanations include the effect not being as robust as expected, a low number of intrusions across groups, baseline differences in attention, and minor but potentially important differences in procedure between this and the original study.
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11. |
- Cernvall, Martin, 1980-, et al.
(author)
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A pilot study of user satisfaction and perceived helpfulness of the Swedish version of the mobile app PTSD Coach
- 2018
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 9:Suppl 1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: There is a need for accessible interventions in the aftermath of traumatic events with documented efficacy for preventing or reducing negative mental health consequences. The PTSD Coach is a mobile app that has shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTSS). Objective: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the user satisfaction, perceived helpfulness and potential reductions of PTSS and symptoms of depression among participants using the Swedish version of the PTSD Coach. Method: This was an uncontrolled pre-test post-test open trial including participants recruited from the community via advertisement and from an ongoing observational study who had experienced a potentially traumatic event in the last five years. Participants had access to the Swedish PTSD Coach app for four weeks. Results: Eleven participants (mean age = 38.6, female = 8) completed the study. Nine of the participants met criteria for full or partial PTSD. Results from the PTSD Coach Survey indicated that participants found the app slightly to moderately helpful and were slightly to moderately satisfied with the app. Nominal but not statistically significant reductions of medium effect sizes in PTSS (PCL-5) and depression (PHQ-9) from pre- to post-assessment were found. In interviews, participants indicated that they found elements such as learning about PTSD, breathing exercises and monitoring symptoms helpful in managing symptoms. However, several participants indicated that they had not used the app as much as they had intended to. Participants also had suggestions for improvements such as enhanced app structure and better guidance regarding how to use the app. Conclusions: The perceived helpfulness and user satisfaction were slightly lower compared to research on the original version of the app. Experiences from the study are discussed and a future controlled study of the Swedish version of the PTSD Coach is suggested.
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12. |
- Doric, A., et al.
(author)
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UCLA PTSD reaction index for DSM-5 (PTSD-RI-5): a psychometric study of adolescents sampled from communities in eleven countries
- 2019
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 10:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Children and adolescents are often exposed to traumatic events, which may lead to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is therefore important for clinicians to screen for potential symptoms that can be signs of PTSD onset. PTSD in youth is a worldwide problem, thus congruent screening tools in various languages are needed. Objective: The aim of this study was to test the general psychometric properties of the Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index for children and adolescents (UCLA PTSD) Reaction Index for DSM-5 (PTSD-RI-5) in adolescents, a self-report instrument intended to screen for trauma exposure and assess PTSD symptoms. Method: Data was collected from 4201 adolescents in communities within eleven countries worldwide (i.e. Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Indonesia, Montenegro, Nigeria, Palestine-Gaza, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, and Serbia). Internal consistency, discriminant validity, and a confirmatory factor analysis of a four-factor model representing the main DSM-5 symptoms of the PTSD-RI-5 were evaluated. Results: The PTSD-RI-5 total score for the entire sample shows very good reliability (alpha = .92) as well as across all countries included (alpha ranged from .90 to .94). The correlations between anxiety/depressive symptoms and the PTSD-RI-5 scores were below .70 indicating on good discriminant validity. The four-factor structure of the scale was confirmed for the total sample and data from six countries. The standardized regression weights for all items varied markedly across the countries. The lack of a common acceptable model across all countries prevented us from direct testing of cross-cultural measurement invariance. Conclusions: The four-factor structure of the PTSD-RI-5 likely represents the core PTSD symptoms as proposed by the DSM-5 criteria, but there could be items interpreted in a conceptually different manner by adolescents from different cultural/regional backgrounds and future cross-cultural evaluations need to consider this finding.
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13. |
- Fares-Otero, N. E., et al.
(author)
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Childhood maltreatment and social functioning in psychotic disorders : a systematic review protocol
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Childhood maltreatment (CM) is thought to play a key role in the etiology and course of psychotic disorders (PD). In addition, CM is related to neurobiological and clinical characteristics that can lead to poor social functioning. However, the extent to which CM and social functioning are directly associated in individuals with PD, is unclear. Therefore, we aim to systematically review the literature to provide an estimate on the strength of the association between CM and different domains of social functioning in PD and to summarize potential moderators and mediators of this association. Methods and analysis: To identify relevant studies, we will systematically search the following databases: Pubmed (Medline), PsycInfo, Embase, Web of Science (Core Collection), and Pilots (trauma), manually search reference lists and contact experts in the field. Studies will be included if they investigate and report on the association between CM (exposure) and social functioning (outcome) in adults with PD. Two independent reviewers will screen titles, abstracts and full texts according to eligibility criteria, perform data extraction and assess study quality according to a modified version of the NewcastleâOttawa Scale. Analysis: Effect estimates will be pooled in a meta-analysis. Heterogeneity and publication bias will be assessed and the effects of potential moderators (genetic factors, type of diagnosis, duration of illness, type of CM and age at the time of CM exposure) will be analyzed using meta-regressions. Candidate moderators and mediators (neurocognition, cognitive schemas, comorbidities, stress sensitivity, attachment) will be also examined qualitatively. Ethics and dissemination: Because this review will make use of already published data, ethical approval will not be sought. This work has the potential to inform upcoming investigations on the association between the exposure to CM in PD and social functioning. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020175244. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
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14. |
- Hagenaars, Muriel A., et al.
(author)
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Tetris and Word games lead to fewer intrusive memories when applied several days after analogue trauma
- 2017
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Intrusive trauma memories are a key symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), so disrupting their recurrence is highly important. Intrusion development was hindered by visuospatial interventions administered up to 24 hours after analogue trauma. It is unknown whether interventions can be applied later, and whether modality or working-memory load are crucial factors. Objectives: This study tested: (1) whether a visuospatial task would lead to fewer intrusions compared to a reactivation-only group when applied after memory reactivation four days after analogue trauma exposure (extended replication), (2) whether both tasks (i.e. one aimed to be visuospatial, one more verbal) would lead to fewer intrusions than the reactivation-only group (intervention effect), and (3) whether supposed task modality (visuospatial or verbal) is a critical component (modality effect). Method: Fifty-four participants were randomly assigned to reactivation+Tetris (visuospatial), reactivation+Word games (verbal), or reactivation-only (no task). They watched an aversive film (day 0) and recorded intrusive memories of the film in diary A. On day 4, memory was reactivated, after which participants played Tetris, Word games, or had no task for 10 minutes. They then kept a second diary (B). Informative hypotheses were evaluated using Bayes factors. Results: Reactivation+Tetris and reactivation+Word games resulted in relatively fewer intrusions from the last day of diary A to the first day of diary B than reactivation-only (objective 1 and 2). Thus, both tasks were effective even when applied days after analogue trauma. Reactivation-only was not effective. Reactivation+Word games appeared to result in fewer intrusions than reactivation+Tetris (objective 3; modality effect), but this evidence was weak. Explorative analyses showed that Word games were more difficult than Tetris. Conclusions: Applying a task four days after the trauma film (during memory reconsolidation) was effective. The modality versus working-memory load issue is inconclusive.
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15. |
- Hautle, Lara-Lynn, et al.
(author)
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Adults with a history of childhood maltreatment with and without mental disorders show alterations in the recognition of facial expressions
- 2023
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 14:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Individuals with child maltreatment (CM) experiences show alterations in emotion recognition (ER). However, previous research has mainly focused on populations with specific mental disorders, which makes it unclear whether alterations in the recognition of facial expressions are related to CM, to the presence of mental disorders or to the combination of CM and mental disorders, and on ER of emotional, rather than neutral facial expressions. Moreover, commonly, recognition of static stimulus material was researched. Objective: We assessed recognition of dynamic (closer to real life) negative, positive and neutral facial expressions in individuals characterised by CM, rather than a specific mental disorder. Moreover, we assessed whether they show a negativity bias for neutral facial expressions and whether the presence of one or more mental disorders affects recognition. Methods: Ninety-eight adults with CM experiences (CM+) and 60 non-maltreated (CM-) adult controls watched 200 non-manipulated coloured video sequences, showing 20 neutral and 180 emotional facial expressions, and indicated whether they interpreted each expression as neutral or as one of eight emotions. Results: The CM+ showed significantly lower scores in the recognition of positive, negative and neutral facial expressions than the CM- group (p < .050). Furthermore, the CM+ group showed a negativity bias for neutral facial expressions (p < .001). When accounting for mental disorders, significant effects stayed consistent, except for the recognition of positive facial expressions: individuals from the CM+ group with but not without mental disorder scored lower than controls without mental disorder. Conclusions: CM might have long-lasting influences on the ER abilities of those affected. Future research should explore possible effects of ER alterations on everyday life, including implications of the negativity bias for neutral facial expressions on emotional wellbeing and relationship satisfaction, providing a basis for interventions that improve social functioning.
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16. |
- Hensler, Ida, 1989-, et al.
(author)
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Ecological momentary assessment of self-rated health, daily strategies and self-management app use among trauma-exposed adults
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The process whereby trauma-exposed people benefit from self-management apps to increase health is poorly understood.Objective: We investigated whether access to a self-management smartphone app for posttraumatic stress (PTSD Coach) improved momentary self-rated health (SRH) and if use of a self-management app or specific strategies related to SRH.Method: Participants were 179 adults in Sweden with trauma exposure in the past 2 years who were enrolled in a randomized trial of PTSD Coach versus waitlist. Ecological momentary assessments (EMA) were collected twice daily during 21 consecutive days from participants in both groups, with questions about momentary SRH as well as self-management app use and use of strategies (social support, distress management, monitoring of discomfort and seeking information) in the preceding 12 hours.Results: Overall, neither access to PTSD Coach nor reported use of an app in the preceding hours was related to SRH. Even so, people with access to PTSD Coach reported using more social support over time. Socializing and use of social support predicted greater SRH. Use of other strategies was associated with worse short-term SRH.Conclusions: Momentarily improved health relates to utilization of social support. However, the directionality of the day-to-day associations is unclear; uncertainty remains around the timing for assessing these relationships.
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17. |
- Hensler, Ida, 1989-, et al.
(author)
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PTSD Coach Sweden: A Self-Management App for Trauma-Related Symptoms : A RCT study protocol evaluating a self-help app for posttraumatic stress in a Swedish community sample
- 2019
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 10:S1
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Resources to administer evidence-based care for PTSD and trauma-related complications are scarce, especially in particular geographical areas, during mass casualty situations and for individuals with subclinical symptoms as clinics prioritize more severe cases. Effective interventions for PTSD through technical platforms could disseminate information and self-management strategies to decrease individual suffering and societal costs. Assessment at multiple time points can elucidate which aspects of an intervention that are effective, in addition to the evolution of intervention use and well-being over time. Objective: Evaluate an app-administered self-help intervention (PTSD Coach Sweden) aiming to reduce and manage PTSD symptoms and other related complications. Method: In this trial, 200 participants from Sweden who have experienced a traumatic event in the past two years and who report posttraumatic stress symptoms will be randomized to three months use of the app or waitlist. The primary endpoint is self-rated PTSD symptom severity at three months, with follow-up at six and nine months. Secondary outcomes include depressive symptoms, physical symptoms, functional impairment and health care use. Ecological momentary assessment of health status and use of strategies corresponding to app content is used for 21 days during the first three months.Results: Lessons learned and recommendations from the preparations of app-based intervention trials are presented. Available data from the primary endpoint are presented. Conclusions: App-based interventions hold promise to increase outreach, but further trials are needed. Several challenges introduced when preparing an app-based intervention are discussed.
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18. |
- Hoffman, Joel, et al.
(author)
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Mapping the availability of translated versions of posttraumatic stress disorder screening questionnaires for adults : A scoping review
- 2022
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 13:2
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The most used questionnaires for PTSD screening in adults were developed in English. Although many of these questionnaires were translated into other languages, the procedures used to translate them and to evaluate their reliability and validity have not been consistently documented. This comprehensive scoping review aimed to compile the currently available translated and evaluated questionnaires used for PTSD screening, and highlight important gaps in the literature.Objective: This review aimed to map the availability of translated and evaluated screening questionnaires for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for adults.Methods: All peer-reviewed studies in which a PTSD screening questionnaire for adults was translated, and which reported at least one result of a qualitative and /or quantitative evaluation procedure were included. The literature was searched using Embase, MEDLINE, and APA PsycInfo, citation searches and contributions from study team members. There were no restrictions regarding the target languages of the translations. Data on the translation procedure, the qualitative evaluation, the quantitative evaluation (dimensionality of the questionnaire, reliability, and performance), and open access were extracted.Results: A total of 866 studies were screened, of which 126 were included. Collectively, 128 translations of 12 different questionnaires were found. Out of these, 105 (83.3%) studies used a forward and backward translation procedure, 120 (95.2%) assessed the reliability of the translated questionnaire, 60 (47.6%) the dimensionality, 49 (38.9%) the performance, and 42 (33.3%) used qualitative evaluation procedures. Thirty-four questionnaires (27.0%) were either freely available or accessible on request.Conclusions: The analyses conducted and the description of the methods and results varied substantially, making a quality assessment impractical. Translations into languages spoken in middle- or low-income countries were underrepresented. In addition, only a small proportion of all translated questionnaires were available. Given the need for freely accessible translations, an online repository was developed.
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19. |
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20. |
- Javakhishvili, Jana D, et al.
(author)
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Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe : five lessons from the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
- 2022
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 13:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The paper provides insights into the mental health consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from the Central, Eastern, Nordic, Southern, and Western subregions of Europe, represented by five member countries of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS). On the basis of the existing national research and experiences in these countries, we propose five lessons learned. (1) There is no evidence of a mental health pandemic so far in the countries in focus. No increase in severe mental disorders but some increase in the symptoms of common mental health disorders are observable. More high-quality longitudinal studies are needed to understand the mental health burden of the pandemic. (2) The pandemic affects countries (including the mental health situation) differently, depending on the level of the exposure, management policies, pre-pandemic structural characteristics, and healthcare resources. (3) The pandemic affects people differently: the exposure severity to pandemic-related stressors differs between individuals, as well as individual resources to cope with these stressors. There are winners and losers as well as identifiable at-risk groups that need particular attention. (4) Besides the negative consequences, the pandemic has had a positive impact. The rapidly applied innovations within the system of healthcare responses provide a window of opportunity for positive changes in mental healthcare policies, strategies, and practices. The increased focus on mental health during the pandemic may contribute to the prioritization of mental health issues at policy-making and organizational levels and may reduce stigma. (5) A stress- and trauma-informed response to COVID-19 is required. The European community of psychotraumatologists under the leadership of ESTSS plays an important role in promoting stress- and trauma-informed healthcare and policies of pandemic management. Based on the lessons learned, we propose a stepped-care public mental health model for the prevention of adverse mental health outcomes during pandemics.HIGHLIGHTS: Population mental health is affected differently in the COVID-19 pandemic: there are winners and losers, as well as identifiable at-risk groups that need particular attention.A stress- and trauma-informed public mental health stepped-care model can address pandemic-related mental health burden in a systematic way.
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21. |
- Kangaslampi, Samuli, et al.
(author)
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Posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress : a network analysis among Syrian and Iraqi refugees
- 2022
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Traumatic events related to war and displacement may lead to development of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), but many war trauma survivors also report experiencing posttraumatic growth (PTG). However, the phenomenon of PTG remains poorly understood among refugees. Previous findings are also contradictory on whether more PTSS associate with PTG and what specific symptoms or aspects of growth may account for any possible link.Objective and Method: Here, we aimed to better understand posttraumatic growth among refugees, especially its structure and most important constituent elements, as well as how it associates with PTSS. We employed regression and network analysis methods with a large sample (N = 3,159) of Syrian and Iraqi refugees living in Turkey self-reporting on PTG and PTSS.Results: We found PTG and PTSS to be clearly distinct phenomena. Still, they often co- occurred, with a positive, slightly U-shaped relationship found between levels of PTSS and PTG. The main bridge between the constructs was identified from intrusive symptoms to having new priorities in life, although new priorities were more peripheral to the overall network structure of PTG. Meanwhile, discovering new psychological strengths and abilities and a new path in life emerged as elements most central to PTG itself. Conclusions: Many refugees report elements of PTG, even as they suffer from significant PTSS. The two phenomena appear distinct but positively associated, supporting the idea that intense cognitive processing involving distress may be necessary for growth after trauma. Our findings may inform efforts to support refugee trauma survivors in finding meaning and perhaps even growth after highly challenging experiences.
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22. |
- Kankaanpää, Reeta, et al.
(author)
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Psychometric properties of the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-8) among refugee adolescents from Afghanistan, Syria, and Somalia
- 2024
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 15:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: High levels of post-traumatic stress are well documented among refugees. Yet, refugee adolescents display high heterogeneity in their type of trauma and symptom levels.Objective: Following the recurrent plea for validated trauma screening tools, this study investigated the psychometric properties of the Children’s Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-8) among refugee adolescents from Afghanistan (n = 148), Syria (n = 234), and Somalia (n = 175) living in Europe.Method: The model fit for the confirmatory factor structures was tested, as well as measurement invariance between the three groups. The robustness of results was evaluated by testing measurement invariance between recently arrived and settled adolescents, and between different response labelling options. Reliability (α, ω, and ordinal α), criterion validity, and prevalence estimates were calculated.Results: The intrusion subscale showed a better stable model fit than the avoidance subscale, but the two-factor structure was mainly supported. Configural measurement invariance was achieved between Afghan and Somali adolescents, and strong measurement invariance between Syrian and Somali adolescents. The results were robust considering the time living in the host country and response labelling styles. Reliability was low among Afghan and Syrian adolescents (.717−.856), whereas it was higher among Somali adolescents (.831−.887). The total score had medium-sized correlations with emotional problems (.303−.418) and low correlations with hyperactivity (.077−.155). There were statistically significant differences in symptom prevalence: Afghan adolescents had higher prevalence (55.5%) than Syrian (42.8%) and Somali (37%) adolescents, and unaccompanied refugee minors had higher symptom prevalence (63.5%) than accompanied adolescents (40.7%).Conclusions: This study mostly supports the use of the CRIES-8 among adolescents from Afghanistan, Syria, and Somalia, and even comparative analyses of group means. Variation in reliability estimates, however, makes diagnostic predictions difficult, as the risk of misclassification is high.
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23. |
- Kehyayan, Aram, et al.
(author)
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The effect of a visuospatial interference intervention on posttraumatic intrusions : a cross-over randomized controlled trial
- 2024
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 15:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Intrusive memories form a core symptom of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Based on concepts of visuospatial interference and memory-updating accounts, technological innovations aim to attenuate such intrusions using visuospatial interventions.Objective: This study aims to test the effect of a visuospatial Tetris-based intervention versus a verbal condition (Wiki) and a never-targeted control (no intervention) on intrusion frequency.Method: A randomized crossover trial was conducted including N = 38 PTSD patients who had at least 3 distinct intrusive memories of trauma. After both 2 weeks (intervention 1) and 4 weeks (intervention 2), one of the three memories was randomly selected and either the visuospatial intervention (memory reminder of a traumatic memory + Tetris) or verbal condition (reading a Wikipedia article + answering questions) was performed on their first memory in randomized order. In the week 4 session, the patient conducted the other intervention condition on their second memory (crossover). The third memory was never targeted (no intervention). Daily occurrence of intrusions over 8 weeks was collected using a diary and analysed using mixed Poisson regression models.Results: Overall, there was no significant reduction in intrusion frequency from either intervention compared to each other, and to no intervention control (relative risk Tetris/Wiki: 0.947; p = .31; relative risk no intervention/Tetris: 1.060; p = .15; relative risk no intervention/Wiki: 1.004; p = .92).Conclusions: There was no effect of either intervention on intrusions when administered in a crossover design where participants received both interventions. Design shortcomings and consequences for future studies are discussed.
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24. |
- Kiselev, N., et al.
(author)
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Structural and socio-cultural barriers to accessing mental healthcare among Syrian refugees and asylum seekers in Switzerland
- 2020
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor and Francis Ltd.. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Due to their experiences of major stressful life events, including post-displacement stressors, refugees and asylum seekers are vulnerable to developing mental health problems. Yet, despite the availability of specialized mental health services in Western European host countries, refugees and asylum seekers display low mental healthcare utilization. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore structural and socio-cultural barriers to accessing mental healthcare among Syrian refugees and asylum seekers in Switzerland. Method: In this qualitative study, key-informant (KI) interviews with Syrian refugees and asylum seekers, Swiss healthcare providers and other stakeholders (e.g. refugee coordinators or leaders) were conducted in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed, and then analysed using thematic analysis, combining deductive and inductive coding. Results: Findings show that Syrian refugees and asylum seekers face multiple structural and socio-cultural barriers, with socio-cultural barriers being perceived as more pronounced. Syrian key informants, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders identified language, gatekeeper-associated problems, lack of resources, lack of awareness, fear of stigma and a mismatch between the local health system and perceived needs of Syrian refugees and asylum seekers as key barriers to accessing care. Conclusions: The results show that for Syrian refugees and asylum seekers in Switzerland several barriers exist. This is in line with previous findings. A possible solution for the current situation might be to increase the agility of the service system in general and to improve the willingness to embrace innovative paths, rather than adapting mental healthcare services regarding single barriers and needs of a new target population. © 2020, © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
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25. |
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26. |
- Lotzin, Annett, et al.
(author)
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A longitudinal study of risk and protective factors for symptoms of adjustment disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2024
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 15:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused multiple stressors that may lead to symptoms of adjustment disorder.Objective: We longitudinally examined relationships between risk and protective factors, pandemic-related stressors and symptoms of adjustment disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as whether these relationships differed by the time of assessment.Method: The European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) ADJUST Study included N = 15,169 participants aged 18 years and above. Participants from 11 European countries were recruited and screened three times at 6-month intervals from June 2020 to January 2022. Associations between risk and protective factors (e.g. gender), stressors (e.g. fear of infection), and symptoms of adjustment disorder (AjD, ADNM-8) and their interaction with time of assessment were examined using mixed linear regression.Results: The following predictors were significantly associated with higher AjD symptom levels: female or diverse gender; older age; pandemic-related news consumption >30 min a day; a current or previous mental health disorder; trauma exposure before or during the pandemic; a good, satisfactory or poor health status (vs. very good); burden related to governmental crisis management and communication; fear of infection; restricted social contact; work-related problems; restricted activity; and difficult housing conditions. The following predictors were associated with lower AjD levels: self-employment or retirement; working in healthcare; and face-to-face contact ≥ once a week with loved ones or friends. The effects of the following predictors on AjD symptoms differed by the time of assessment in the course of the pandemic: a current or previous mental disorder; burden related to governmental crisis management; income reduction; and a current trauma exposure.Conclusions: We identified risk factors and stressors predicting AjD symptom levels at different stages of the pandemic. For some predictors, the effects on mental health may change at different stages of a pandemic.
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27. |
- Lotzin, Annett, et al.
(author)
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Risk and protective factors for posttraumatic stress disorder in trauma-exposed individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic - findings from a pan-European study
- 2022
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 13:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a health emergency resulting in multiple stressors that may be related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Objective: This study examined relationships between risk and protective factors, pandemic-related stressors, and PTSD during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Data from the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) ADJUST Study were used. N = 4,607 trauma-exposed participants aged 18 years and above were recruited from the general populations of eleven countries (Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden) from June to November 2020. We assessed sociodemographic (e.g. gender), pandemic-related (e.g. news consumption), and health-related (e.g. general health condition) risk and protective factors, pandemic-related stressors (e.g. fear of infection), and probable PTSD (PC-PTSD-5). The relationships between these variables were examined using logistic regression on multiple imputed data sets.Results: The prevalence of probable PTSD was 17.7%. Factors associated with an increased risk for PTSD were younger age, female gender, more than 3 h of daily pandemic-related news consumption (vs. no consumption), a satisfactory, poor, or very poor health condition (vs. a very good condition), a current or previous diagnosis of a mental disorder, and trauma exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors associated with a reduced risk for PTSD included a medium and high income (vs. very low income), face-to-face contact less than once a week or 3-7 times a week (vs. no contact), and digital social contact less than once a week or 1-7 days a week (vs. no contact). Pandemic-related stressors associated with an increased risk for PTSD included governmental crisis management and communication, restricted resources, restricted social contact, and difficult housing conditions.Conclusion: We identified risk and protective factors as well as stressors that may help identify trauma-exposed individuals at risk for PTSD, enabling more efficient and rapid access to care.
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28. |
- Lotzin, Annett, et al.
(author)
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Risk and protective factors, stressors, and symptoms of adjustment disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic – First results of the ESTSS COVID-19 pan-European ADJUST study
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic exposes individuals to multiple stressors, such as quarantine, physical distancing, job loss, risk of infection, and loss of loved ones. Such a complex array of stressors potentially lead to symptoms of adjustment disorder.Objective This cross-sectional exploratory study examined relationships between risk and protective factors, stressors, and symptoms of adjustment disorder during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsData from the first wave of the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) longitudinal ADJUST Study were used. N = 15,563 participants aged 18 years and above were recruited in eleven countries (Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden) from June to November 2020. Associations between risk and protective factors (e.g. gender, diagnosis of a mental health disorder), stressors (e.g. fear of infection, restricted face-to-face contact), and symptoms of adjustment disorder (ADNM-8) were examined using multivariate linear regression.ResultsThe prevalence of self-reported probable adjustment disorder was 18.2%. Risk factors associated with higher levels of symptoms of adjustment disorder were female gender, older age, being at risk for severe COVID-19 illness, poorer general health status, current or previous trauma exposure, a current or previous mental health disorder, and longer exposure to COVID-19 news. Protective factors related to lower levels of symptoms of adjustment disorder were higher income, being retired, and having more face-to-face contact with loved ones or friends. Pandemic-related stressors associated with higher levels of symptoms of adjustment disorder included fear of infection, governmental crisis management, restricted social contact, work-related problems, restricted activity, and difficult housing conditions.ConclusionsWe identified stressors, risk, and protective factors that may help identify individuals at higher risk for adjustment disorder.
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29. |
- Lotzin, Annett, et al.
(author)
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Stressors, coping and symptoms of adjustment disorder in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic - study protocol of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) pan-European study
- 2020
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the people in Europe are exposed to self-isolation, quarantine, job loss, risk of contracting COVID-19, or grief of loved ones. Such a complex array of stressors may lead to symptoms of adjustment disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder. This research protocol describes a study launched by the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on symptoms of adjustment disorder across European countries. Objective: The longitudinal online cohort study aims (1) to explore psychosocial reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic across ten European countries; (2) to examine the relationships between risk and resilience factors, stressors and symptoms of adjustment disorder during the pandemic; and (3) to investigate whether these relationships are moderated by coping behaviours. Method: In ten countries (Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden), between 1,000 and 2,000 participants will be recruited, depending on the size of the country. Participants will be assessed at two timepoints with a six-month interval. Following a conceptual framework based on the WHO's social framework of health, an assessment of risk and resilience factors, COVID-19 related stressors and pandemic-specific coping behaviours will be measured to estimate their contribution to symptoms of adjustment disorder. The Adjustment Disorder New Module 8 (ADNM-8) will be used to assess symptoms of adjustment disorder. As a secondary measure, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder will be measure using the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5). Data analysis: The relative contribution of risk factors, resilience factors, and stressors on symptoms of adjustment disorder or symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder will be estimated using multilevel analysis. To determine the moderating effects of different types of coping behaviours on these relationships, a multilevel mediation analysis will be carried out.
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30. |
- Luik, Annemarie I, et al.
(author)
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Sleep disturbance and intrusive memories after presenting to the emergency department following a traumatic motor vehicle accident : an exploratory analysis.
- 2019
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 10:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Sleep disturbances are common after traumatic events and have been hypothesized to be a risk factor in the development of psychopathology such as that associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Objective: To assess the association between intrusive memories, a core clinical feature of PTSD, and self-reported sleep disturbance shortly after experiencing or witnessing a motor vehicle accident, and whether a brief behavioural intervention (trauma reminder cue and Tetris gameplay) reduced sleep disturbance post-trauma. Method: The exploratory analyses included 71 participants (mean age 39.66, standard deviation 16.32; 37 women, 52.1%) enrolled in a previously published proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited from the emergency department after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic motor vehicle accident. Intrusive memories were assessed with a daily paper-and-pen diary for one week post-trauma, and sleep disturbances with three questions from the Impact of Event Scale-Revised assessing problems initiating sleep, problems maintaining sleep and dreams about the event at one week and one month post-trauma. Missing data were imputed 15 times. Results: The total number of intrusive memories during the first week post-trauma suggested weak to moderate pooled intercorrelations with problems initiating and maintaining sleep. An ordinal regression using imputed data suggested that the intervention had no effect on sleep disturbances, while completers only analyses suggested an improvement in problems maintaining sleep at one week. Conclusions: This exploratory study suggested that experiencing early intrusive memories is related to sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbance might be a particularly important construct to assess in studies involving intrusive memories post-trauma.
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31. |
- Lüönd, Antonia M., et al.
(author)
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Don’t get too close to me: depressed and non-depressed survivors of child maltreatment prefer larger comfortable interpersonal distances towards strangers
- 2022
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 13:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Childhood maltreatment (CM) is frequently linked to interpersonal problemssuch as difficulties in social relationships, loneliness, and isolation. These difficulties mightpartly stem from troubles regulating comfortable interpersonal distance (CIPD).Objective: We experimentally investigated whether CM manifests in larger CIPD and whetherall subtypes of CM (i.e., physical, emotional, or sexual abuse and physical or emotional neglect)affect CIPD.Methods: Using the stop-distance method (i.e. a team member approached participants untilthe latter indicated discomfort), we assessed CIPD in 84 adults with a self-reported history ofCM (24 with depressive symptoms) and 57 adult controls without a history of CM (withoutdepressive symptoms).Results: Adults with CM showed a larger CIPD (Mdn = 86 cm) than controls (Mdn = 68 cm), andCIPD was largest for those with CM combined with current depressive symptoms (Mdn =145 cm) (p’s < .047). In the latter group, all subtypes of CM were associated with a largerCIPD compared to controls (p’s < .045). In the CM group without depressive symptoms, onlythose with emotional abuse (p = .040) showed a larger CIPD than controls.Conclusions: These results add to findings of differential socio-emotional long-termconsequences of CM, depending upon the subtype of CM. Future research should explorewhether a larger CIPD has a negative impact on social functioning in individuals exposed toCM, particularly in those with depressive symptoms.
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32. |
- Nilsson, Doris, 1952-, et al.
(author)
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The psychometric properties of the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Young Children in a sample of Swedish children
- 2012
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - Järfälla, Sweden : Co-Action Publishing. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of Trauma Symptom Checklist for Young Children (TSCYC).Method: The study was composed of a total of 629 children—296 girls and 333 boys—aged 3–11, from a non-clinical population who were rated by their caretakers (26 of whom performed a re-test after 2 weeks) in addition to 59 children from a clinical population with known experience of sexual and/or physical abuse. The caretakers from the normal population completed the TSCYC and Lifetime Incidence of Traumatic Events Scale-parent scale (LITE-P) and the clinical-sample caretakers completed TSCYC. The psychometric properties of the TSCYC were examined, including reliability and validity.Results: The reliability (Cronbach's alpha) of the TSCYC, total scale, was α=0.93 (normative group) and α=0.96 (clinical group). For the clinical scales, this ranged between α=0.55–0.88 and 0.77–0.93, respectively. Test-retest for the total scale was r=0.77. Regarding criterion-related validity, the clinical groups scored significantly higher than the normative group, and within the normative group significant relationships were found between exposure to traumatic events and TSCYC scores. Confirmatory factor analysis testing of the construction of the TSCYC indicated significant loadings on the original scales.Conclusion: The Swedish version of TSCYC appears to be a screening instrument with satisfactory psychometric qualities for identifying symptoms after trauma in young children. The instrument can also be recommended to clinicians for screening purposes in a European context.
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33. |
- Nilsson, Henrik, et al.
(author)
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Trauma-afflicted refugees' experiences of participating in physical activity and exercise treatment : a qualitative study based on focus group discussions
- 2019
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 10:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Refugees with prolonged and repeated experiences of trauma, often in combination with post-migration living difficulties, are subjected to severe levels of stress and stress-related ill health, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physical activity (PA) is well-established as an effective stress reliever. However, the effect of PA and exercise has received scarce attention in the context of PTSD, and particularly in the field of refugees’ health.Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the experience of participation in PA and exercise as part of the treatment for trauma-afflicted refugees.Method: An explorative qualitative research design was used. Six focus group discussions were conducted with 33 female and male participants that had experience of group-based PA and exercise treatment. The gathered data was analysed by qualitative content analysis.Results: The analysis resulted in one over-arching theme reflecting the participants overall experience of PA and exercise as a process of building resilience. Participants experienced improvements in both physical and mental health domains. Increased self-awareness and self-confidence were seen as additional important benefits, and the interruption of daily stressors provided a sense of relief and recovery. The treatment group settings were experienced as becoming a vehicle for overcoming social fear and isolation, which also carried an empowering and strength-building impact over to participants’ family life and social relationships. Treatment characteristics were experienced as highly supportive and often referred to as the basis of other positive experiences and perceived health benefits.Conclusions: The result of this study outlines a detailed account of trauma-afflicted refugees’ experiences and preferences of PA and exercise-based treatment from a broad range of perspectives. These findings provide a starting point for future research in this field and indicate a particular need for both research and intervention development to include the real-life impact of participating in such treatments.
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34. |
- Nissen, Alexander, et al.
(author)
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Mental health in adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway between 2015 and 2017 : a nationwide, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional prevalence study
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background The number of forcibly displaced people globally has never been higher, with refugees from Syria constituting the largest displaced population worldwide. Many studies have documented elevated levels of mental health problems in refugee populations, though prevalence estimates of common mental disorders vary considerably between studies, explained both by methodological and contextual factors.Objective Using questionnaire-based screening checklists to approximate the prevalence of and investigate risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression among adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway and to compare estimates with a sister-study in Sweden.Method Cross-sectional survey of a randomly selected sample from the National Population Register in Norway of adult refugees from Syria who were granted residency rights in Norway between 2015 and 2017 (N (sample) = 9,990; n (respondents) = 902). Above-threshold scores on the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) and Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-25) defined caseness for PTSD (HTQ>2.06); anxiety (HSCLanxitey>1.75); and depression (HSCLdepression>1.80).Results Weighted, checklist-positive prevalence estimates for PTSD, anxiety and depression were 29.7% (25.4%-34.4%), 30.1% (25.7%-34.9%), and 45.2% (40.6%-49.8%), respectively. Cumulative exposure to potentially traumatic experiences before or during flight was a clear risk factor for all outcomes, and female gender was a risk factor for anxiety and depression, though only in adjusted analyses. The choice of HTQ cut-off to define PTSD caseness (2.5 vs. 2.06) had a notable effect on prevalence estimates. Conclusion In line with prior evidence, the present study suggests adult refugees from Syria resettled in Norway have higher rates of anxiety and depression and markedly higher rates of PTSD compared to general, non-refugee populations, and that this is clearly linked to past traumatic experiences. Prevalence estimates were highly consistent with estimates from the sister-study in Sweden, which used almost identical methodology. Findings underline the importance of screening for and intervening on mental health problems in newly arrived refugees.
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35. |
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36. |
- Olff, M., et al.
(author)
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Screening for consequences of traumaâan update on the global collaboration on traumatic stress
- 2020
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor and Francis Ltd.. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This letter provides an update on the activities of âThe Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stressâ (GC-TS) as first described by Schnyder et al. in 2017. It presents in further detail the projects of the first theme, in particular the development of and initial data on the Global Psychotrauma Screen (GPS), a brief instrument designed to screen for the wide range of potential outcomes of trauma. English language data and ongoing studies in several languages provide a first indication that the GPS is a feasible, reliable and valid tool, a tool that may be very useful in the current pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Further multi-language and cross-cultural validation is needed. Since the start of the GC-TS, new themes have been introduced to focus on in the coming years: a) Forcibly displaced persons, b) Global prevalence of stress and trauma related disorders, c) Socio-emotional development across cultures, and d) Collaborating to make traumatic stress research data âFAIRâ. The most recent theme added is that of Global crises, currently focusing on COVID-19-related projects.
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37. |
- Pfaltz, Monique C., et al.
(author)
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Are you angry at me? : Negative interpretations of neutral facial expressions are linked to child maltreatment but not to posttraumatic stress disorder
- 2019
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor and Francis Ltd.. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 10:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Individuals with a high prevalence of child maltreatment, e.g. those with borderline personality disorder, tend to see neutral facial expressions as negative. Objective: Our aim was to assess whether this bias is present in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and whether it is linked to child maltreatment. Methods: Thirty-nine PTSD participants, 44 traumatized and 35 non-traumatized healthy controls watched 300 one-second movies showing 30 neutral and 270 emotional facial expressions, and indicated whether they interpreted each as a neutral or as one of nine emotional expressions. Results: PTSD individuals did not perform differently than the two control groups in the recognition and interpretation of neutral facial expressions (pâs <.300). Higher levels of childhood sexual and emotional abuse, and physical neglect were linked to more interpretations of neutral facial expressions as contempt (pâs <.043), and (for sexual abuse and physical neglect) to more interpretations of neutral facial expressions as anger (pâs <.014). Comparisons of statistical model fits suggested that childhood sexual abuse was the most relevant predictor of recognition accuracy in our sample. Alexithymia, state dissociation, interpersonal trauma, and number of experienced trauma types were not associated with deficits in the interpretation of neutral expressions. Conclusions: Child maltreatment, especially sexual abuse, may shape the interpretation of neutral facial expressions. Future research should explore whether the observed biases extend to real-life situations. If so, therapists might improve the therapeutic relationship with patients with a history of child maltreatment by paying more attention to their own non-verbal communication and their patientsâ responses to it. Furthermore, similarly to individuals with high depressive and high social anxiety symptoms, facial expression recognition training might counteract negativity bias in individuals with a history of childhood (sexual and emotional) abuse, and (physical) neglect. © 2019, © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
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38. |
- Ranjbar, Vanja, et al.
(author)
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The Swedish Psychotrauma Society : Joining forces for a national psychotrauma platform from a multidisciplinary and holistic approach
- 2015
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : CoAction Publishing. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 6:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Events such as the discotheque fire in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1998 and the 2004 tsunami in Thailand, in which many Swedish citizens’ lives were lost, exemplify events of traumatic character with implications for different professions in Sweden (Arnberg, Hultman, Michel, & Lundin, 2013; Wahlström, Michélsen, Schulman, Backheden, & Keskinen-Rosenqvist, 2013). Such events highlight the need for Swedish research on psychotraumatology to meet needs arising in connection with such traumas. Also events in Sweden's immediate vicinity, such as the terrorist attacks in Oslo and in Utøya in 2011, can be considered to have impact on Swedish society and its emergency preparedness. The Swedish Psychotrauma Society was formed in 2013. Its objectives are to increase and disseminate knowledge on psychotraumatology by creating a network of professionals and individuals who are active and/or interested in the subject, promote research and training in the field, and collaborate nationally and internationally on issues relating to psychotraumatology. The society is open to researchers, students, practitioners, and others alike with an interest in psychotraumatology, thereby encouraging multidisciplinary and holistic work and collaboration as well as being one of its kind in Sweden within this field. Not least, the society strives to be a link between research and practice. To this effect, the society organised its first scientific conference in May 2015, with a grant from The Swedish Foundation for Humanities and Social Science. The conference aimed to offer internationally renowned psychotrauma researchers as keynote speakers (Litz, 2015; Newman & Drevo, 2015; Olff, Van Zuiden, & Bakker, 2015) and gather a nationwide audience consisting of professionals and researchers from various disciplines. By establishing a Swedish psychotrauma society and inspire and strengthen the field of psychotraumatology in Sweden, it is hoped that the Swedish Psychotrauma Society during the coming year can become affiliated to the ESTSS and commence collaborations with its European counterparts.
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39. |
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40. |
- Rhodin, Rebecca, et al.
(author)
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Development of a self-management mobile app for bereaved adolescents : evaluating patient and public involvement
- 2024
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 15:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Losing a family member during childhood is a potentially traumatic event and increases the risk of mental health difficulties. Adolescents have the right to express their views in research of relevance to them, but few studies have involved bereaved adolescents as collaborators (i.e. Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)). Furthermore, to ensure meaningful and non-tokenistic involvement, bereaved adolescents' levels of participation and experiences of taking part in research need to be evaluated.Objectives: The aim was to describe and evaluate a PPI process working with bereaved adolescents to develop a self-management mobile app for adolescents in grief.Methods: The PPI process consisted of four workshops during which the app's logo, colours, name, content, and layout were discussed with six parentally bereaved adolescents aged 13-18 years. The adolescents were recruited through a non-profit organisation providing support for adolescents in grief. The PPI process was documented and evaluated using participant observations and an online survey completed by the adolescents, covering the themes of social context, participation, and influence.Results: The adolescents perceived the social context as comfortable and inclusive, where their knowledge was valued. Their participation was characterised by ownership and motivated by a desire to help others with similar experiences. The adolescents' ability to participate in PPI activities was assisted by the researchers' flexibility, although challenging assignments may have made participation harder. Throughout PPI activities, adolescents contributed with relevant input and reported feeling influential. The study reached the intended levels of participation and appeared to adequately fulfil the adolescents' right to participation.Conclusions: Engaging adolescents who have undergone a potentially traumatic event, such as the loss of a family member, in research can enhance the overall relevance of the study. Moreover, it can entail a meaningful and positive experience for the participating adolescents, while also fulfilling their fundamental right to participation.HighlightsA collaborative process with parentally bereaved adolescents to develop a psychosocial self-management mobile app for adolescents in grief was described and evaluated.Adolescents made significant contributions, took ownership, and experienced having influence over the decisions made, which increased the relevance of the intervention.The collaborative process reached the intended level of participation and created a positive and meaningful experience for the adolescents.
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41. |
- Schaefer, Ingo, et al.
(author)
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Trauma and trauma care in Europe
- 2018
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 9:1
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The European countries have a long history of exposure to large-scale trauma. In the early 1990s the increasing awareness of the consequences of trauma within the mental health community led to the foundation of local societies for psychotraumatology across Europe and the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS), which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2018. The focus of this article is to describe the current state of care for survivors of trauma in the 15 European countries where ESTSS member societies have been established. Brief descriptions on the historical burden of trauma in each country are followed by an overview of the care system for trauma survivors in the countries, the state-of-the-art of interventions, current challenges in caring for survivors and the topics that need to be most urgently addressed in the future. The reports from the different countries demonstrate how important steps towards a better provision of care for survivors of trauma have been made in Europe. Given the cultural and economic diversity of the continent, there are also differences between the European countries, for instance with regard to the use of evidence-based treatments. Strategies to overcome these differences, like the new ESTSS training curricula for care-providers across Europe, are briefly discussed.
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42. |
- Semb, Olof, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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Post-traumatic distress after a single violent crime : Interaction between shame-proneness and event-related shame and symptoms
- 2011
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 2:Suppl. 1, s. 117-117
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This study investigated the relationships between shame- and guilt-proneness, event-related shame and guilt, andpost-victimization symptoms among 35 victims (17 females and 18 males; mean age 31.7 years) of a single severe violent crime. Shame- and guilt-proneness (Test of Self-Conscious Affect) and event-related shame and guilt (Visual Analog Scale) were related to post-victimization symptoms (Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and SymptomChecklist-90). Correlations showed that shame-proneness and event-related shame were highly inter-correlated andthat, in addition, each uniquely contributed to higher symptom levels. The guilt measures were unrelated to eachother as well as to symptoms. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed significant indirect effects supporting the role of event-related shame as mediator between shame proneness and post-victimization symptoms. In conclusion, requiring attention in clinical settings, both shame proneness and event-related shame seem to bepotent risk factors for distress after victimization.A review of the literature on the subject along with results from cross-sectional research will be presented to illustrate the relationships between self-conscious emotions and mental health in crime victims.
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43. |
- Sijbrandij, M., et al.
(author)
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Strengthening mental health care systems for Syrian refugees in Europe and the Middle East : integrating scalable psychological interventions in eight countries
- 2017
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor and Francis Ltd.. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 8:sup2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The crisis in Syria has resulted in vast numbers of refugees seeking asylum in Syriaâs neighbouring countries as well as in Europe. Refugees are at considerable risk of developing common mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most refugees do not have access to mental health services for these problems because of multiple barriers in national and refugee specific health systems, including limited availability of mental health professionals. To counter some of challenges arising from limited mental health system capacity the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a range of scalable psychological interventions aimed at reducing psychological distress and improving functioning in people living in communities affected by adversity. These interventions, including Problem Management Plus (PM+) and its variants, are intended to be delivered through individual or group face-to-face or smartphone formats by lay, non-professional people who have not received specialized mental health training, We provide an evidence-based rationale for the use of the scalable PM+ oriented programmes being adapted for Syrian refugees and provide information on the newly launched STRENGTHS programme for adapting, testing and scaling up of PM+ in various modalities in both neighbouring and European countries hosting Syrian refugees. © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
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44. |
- Sinai, Cave, et al.
(author)
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Hypothalamic pituitary thyroid axis and exposure to interpersonal violence in childhood among women with borderline personality disorder
- 2014
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 5, s. 23911-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: A relationship between exposure to sexual violence and thyroid hormone alterations has been observed among women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women with borderline personality disorder (BPD) report a high estimate of childhood trauma.OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess relationships between thyroid hormone measures and exposure to violence in childhood in women with BPD.METHOD: A total of 92 clinically euthyroid women with BPD (53% with comorbid PTSD) diagnosis and at least two prior suicide attempts were assessed with the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scales (KIVS). The KIVS contains four subscales with concrete examples of exposure to violence and expressed violent behavior in childhood (aged 6-14 years) and during adult life (15 years or older). Baseline thyroid function was evaluated by measuring plasma free and bound triiodothyronine (FT3 and T3), thyroxine (FT4 and T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with immunoassays. The FT3/FT4 ratio was used to estimate peripheral deiodination. Plasma cortisol was also assessed.RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of patients reported medium high or high level of exposure to interpersonal violence as a child. The FT3/FT4 ratio showed a significant negative correlation with exposure to violence as a child. Patients with PTSD had significantly higher plasma cortisol levels. An ad hoc analysis revealed that the correlation between KIVS exposure to interpersonal violence as a child and FT3/FT4 ratio was significant only in patients with comorbid PTSD. Altered thyroid activity, especially FT3/FT4, levels was associated with exposure to violence in childhood in women with BPD.CONCLUSION: Severe childhood trauma-related stress may promote lasting altered thyroid levels and/or contribute to the development of psychopathology associated with BPD traits or PTSD.
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45. |
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46. |
- Spaaij, J., et al.
(author)
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Feasibility and acceptability of Problem Management Plus (PM+) among Syrian refugees and asylum seekers in Switzerland : a mixed-method pilot randomized controlled trial
- 2022
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor and Francis Ltd.. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 13:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Syrian refugees in Switzerland face several barriers in accessing mental health care. Cost-effective psychological interventions are urgently needed to meet the mental health needs of refugees. Problem Management Plus (PM+) is an evidence-based, psychological intervention delivered by trained non-specialist âhelpersâ. Objective: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of PM+ among Syrian refugees in Switzerland. Methods: We conducted a single-blind pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) with Syrian refugees impaired by psychological distress (K10 > 15 and WHODAS 2.0 > 16). Participants were randomized to PM+ or Enhanced Treatment As Usual (ETAU). Participants were assessed at baseline, and 1 week and 3 months after the intervention, and completed measures indexing mental health problems and health care usage. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with different stakeholders. Results: N = 59 individuals were randomized into PM+ (n = 31) or ETAU (n = 28). N = 18 stakeholders were interviewed about facilitators and barriers for the implementation of PM+. Retention rates in the trial (67.8%) and mean intervention attendance (M = 3.94 sessions, SD = 1.97) were high. No severe events related to the study were reported. These findings indicate that the trial procedures and PM+ were feasible, acceptable and safe. Conclusions: The findings support the conduct of a definitive RCT and show that PM+ might have the potential to be scaled-up in Switzerland. The importance, as well as the challenges, of implementing and scaling-up PM+ in high-income countries, such as Switzerland, are discussed. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
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47. |
- Sveen, Josefin, Docent, 1976-, et al.
(author)
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Psychometric properties of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 : a pilot study
- 2016
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: To date there is a lack of studies assessing the psychometric properties of the recently revised PTSD Checklist (PCL), the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). The aim of this pilot study was to examine the psychometric properties of the PCL-5 in parents of children with burns.Methods: The participating parents (N = 62, mean age = 38) completed self-report questionnaires, 0.8-5.6 years after their child's burn. Measures were the PCL-5, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Burn severity of the child and sociodemographic variables was obtained.Results: The parents' average PCL-5 scores were low to moderate. The internal consistency of the PCL-5 was satisfactory, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.56 to 0.77 and mean inter-item correlations ranging from 0.22 to 0.73 for the four PCL-5 subscales and the PCL-5 total. The PCL-5 subscales were moderately to highly correlated with the corresponding IES-R subscales as well as MADRS and PSS (p < 0.05), whereas associations with sociodemographics and burn severity were low to moderate.Conclusions: This study provides preliminary support for the use of PCL-5. The results indicate satisfactory psychometric properties of the PCL-5 as measured with internal consistency, test retest reliability, and aspects of convergent validity.
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48. |
- Thompson, Peter Onah, et al.
(author)
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Posttraumatic stress moderates return intentions : A factorial survey experiment with internally displaced persons in Nigeria
- 2023
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 14:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Persons displaced by conflict often consider returning to their area of origin. Lack of reliable information about conditions in the area of origin makes this decision more difficult. Displaced persons address this by seeking information from other sources, but must then assess the credibility of these sources.Objective: This study examines the role of symptoms of posttraumatic stress as a moderator of how information from a trustworthy source influences return intentions among displaced persons.Method: We test our hypotheses with a factorial survey experiment, drawing participants (N = 822) from residents of internally displaced person (IDP) camps in northeastern Nigeria.Results: Information from a more trustworthy source led to increased return intentions. However, the more participants reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress, the smaller the effect source trustworthiness had on their return intentions.Conclusions: Findings highlight how traumatic experiences during wartime can undermine the effectiveness of the provision of information from a trustworthy source about good conditions in displaced persons’ areas of origin, and suggest that interventions addressing posttraumatic stress could have downstream effects on safe, durable, and dignified return.
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49. |
- Wadji, D. L., et al.
(author)
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How are experiences and acceptability of child maltreatment related to resilience and posttraumatic growth : a cross cultural study
- 2023
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In: European Journal of Psychotraumatology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8198 .- 2000-8066. ; 14:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Post-traumatic growth (PTG) and resilience, regarded as positive psychological change following a traumatic experience, are under-researched across cultures in people exposed to child maltreatment (CM). Objective: We investigated how experiences and the perceived acceptability of CM are related to resilience and PTG in countries with different cultures, living standards, and gross national income. Method: A total of 478 adults from Cameroon (n = 111), Canada (n = 137), Japan (n = 108), and Germany (n = 122) completed an online survey with self-reported questionnaires, including the Brief Resilience Scale and the Post Traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form. Results: Across countries, self-reported male gender and age were positively associated with resilience, while experiences of physical abuse and emotional maltreatment were negatively associated with resilience. Experiences of emotional maltreatment were positively associated with PTG. Higher levels of PTG and resilience were found amongst Cameroonian participants as compared to other countries. Conclusion: Our results suggest that positive changes following CM can vary significantly across cultures and that experiences of specific CM subtypes, but not the perceived acceptability of CM, may be important for a deeper understanding of how individuals overcome trauma and develop salutogenic outcomes. Our findings may inform CM intervention programmes for an enhanced cultural sensitivity.
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50. |
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