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Franz MR, Wolf EJ, MacDonald HZ, Marx BP, Proctor SP, Vasterling JJ. Relationships among predeployment risk factors, warzone-threat appraisal, and postdeployment PTSD symptoms. J Trauma Stress 2013; 26:498-506. [PMID: 23893499 DOI: 10.1002/jts.21827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Previous research indicates a relationship between perceived fear for one's safety (i.e., threat appraisal) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This prospective study examined relationships among deployment- and predeployment-related variables, threat appraisal, and postdeployment PTSD symptom severity. Prior to Iraq deployment, 774 U.S. Army soldiers completed self-report measures assessing previous life stressors, deployment history, current (predeployment) PTSD symptoms, deployment preparedness, and unit cohesion. Following deployment, participants completed self-report measures assessing combat intensity, deployment threat appraisal, and current (postdeployment) PTSD symptoms. Structural equation modeling revealed that predeployment PTSD symptom severity, prior warzone deployment, unit cohesion, and preparedness were each independently associated with deployment threat appraisal, even after taking into account combat intensity. Deployment threat appraisal was associated with postdeployment PTSD severity. Results indicated that predeployment PTSD symptom severity, history of warzone deployment, and preparedness-risk factors previously thought to influence PTSD outcomes directly-were either partially or fully mediated by threat appraisal. The model explained 15% of the variance in deployment threat appraisal and 50% of the variance in postdeployment PTSD severity. Helping service members cope with exposure to extreme stress during deployment by modifying certain prewar risk factors may facilitate reduction of PTSD symptoms following deployment.
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Logue MW, Baldwin C, Guffanti G, Melista E, Wolf EJ, Reardon AF, Uddin M, Wildman D, Galea S, Koenen KC, Miller MW. A genome-wide association study of post-traumatic stress disorder identifies the retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha (RORA) gene as a significant risk locus. Mol Psychiatry 2013; 18:937-42. [PMID: 22869035 PMCID: PMC3494788 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2012.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Revised: 05/16/2012] [Accepted: 06/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
We describe the results of the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) performed using trauma-exposed white non-Hispanic participants from a cohort of veterans and their intimate partners (295 cases and 196 controls). Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) yielded evidence of association. One SNP (rs8042149), located in the retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha gene (RORA), reached genome-wide significance. Nominally significant associations were observed for other RORA SNPs in two African-American replication samples-one from the veteran cohort (43 cases and 41 controls) and another independent cohort (100 cases and 421 controls). However, only the associated SNP from the veteran African-American replication sample survived gene-level multiple-testing correction. RORA has been implicated in prior GWAS studies of psychiatric disorders and is known to have an important role in neuroprotection and other behaviorally relevant processes. This study represents an important step toward identifying the genetic underpinnings of PTSD.
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103
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Wolf EJ, Harrington KM, Reardon AF, Castillo D, Taft CT, Miller MW. A dyadic analysis of the influence of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder severity on intimate partner aggression. J Trauma Stress 2013; 26:329-37. [PMID: 23636815 PMCID: PMC3674162 DOI: 10.1002/jts.21805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
This study used structural equation modeling to evaluate a mediation model of the relationship between trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and perpetration of intimate partner physical and psychological aggression in trauma-exposed veterans and their cohabitating spouses (n = 286 couples; 88% male veteran and female spouse, 80.8% White, non-Hispanic). Dyadic data analyses were used to simultaneously evaluate actor and partner effects using the actor-partner interdependence model (Kashy & Kenny, 2000). The primary hypothesis was that PTSD would mediate the association between trauma exposure and intimate partner physical and psychological aggression with these effects evident both within and across members of a couple (i.e., actor and partner effects). The best-fitting model included (a) equivalent actor and partner direct effects of trauma on veterans' acts of psychological aggression (β = .17 to .20, p = .001), and (b) equivalent actor and partner indirect effects via PTSD on veterans' acts of physical aggression (β = .08 to .10, p < .001). There were no direct or indirect effects predicting the spouses' aggression. Results suggest it is important to consider the trauma histories and possible presence of PTSD in both partners as this may be a point of intervention when treating distressed couples.
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Miller MW, Wolf EJ, Reardon AF, Harrington KM, Ryabchenko K, Castillo D, Freund R, Heyman RE. PTSD and conflict behavior between veterans and their intimate partners. J Anxiety Disord 2013; 27:240-51. [PMID: 23523947 PMCID: PMC3628439 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Revised: 12/16/2012] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the influence of trauma history and PTSD symptoms on the behavior of veterans and their intimate partners (287 couples; N=574) observed during conflict discussions and coded using the Rapid Marital Interaction Coding System (Heyman, 2004). Dyadic structural equation modeling analyses showed that PTSD was associated with more frequent displays of hostility and psychological abuse and fewer expressions of acceptance and humor in both veterans and their partners. Findings provide new insight into the social and emotional deficits associated with PTSD and emphasize the importance of addressing the trauma histories and PTSD of both partners when treating veteran couples with relationship disturbance.
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105
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Miller MW, Reardon AF, Wolf EJ, Prince LB, Hein CL. Alcohol and drug abuse among U.S. veterans: comparing associations with intimate partner substance abuse and veteran psychopathology. J Trauma Stress 2013; 26:71-6. [PMID: 23325433 PMCID: PMC3578107 DOI: 10.1002/jts.21773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the relative influences of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other psychopathology, and intimate partner alcohol and drug use on substance-related problems in U.S. veterans (242 couples, N = 484). Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that partner alcohol and drug use severity explained more variance in veteran alcohol use and drug use (20% and 13%, respectively) than did veteran PTSD, adult antisocial behavior, or depression symptoms combined (6% for veteran alcohol use; 7% for veteran drug use). Findings shed new light on the influence of relationship factors on veteran alcohol and drug use and underscore the importance of couples-oriented approaches to treating veterans with comorbid PTSD and substance abuse.
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106
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Miller MW, Wolf EJ, Kilpatrick D, Resnick H, Marx BP, Holowka DW, Keane TM, Rosen RC, Friedman MJ. The prevalence and latent structure of proposed DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in U.S. national and veteran samples. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1037/a0029730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Wolf EJ, Lunney CA, Miller MW, Resick PA, Friedman MJ, Schnurr PP. The dissociative subtype of PTSD: a replication and extension. Depress Anxiety 2012; 29:679-88. [PMID: 22639402 PMCID: PMC9178461 DOI: 10.1002/da.21946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2011] [Revised: 01/12/2012] [Accepted: 02/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nature of the relationship between dissociation and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has clinical and nosological importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evidence for a dissociative subtype of PTSD in two independent samples and to examine the pattern of personality disorder (PD) comorbidity associated with the dissociative subtype of PTSD. METHODS Latent profile analyses were conducted on PTSD and dissociation items reflecting derealization and depersonalization in two samples of archived data: Study 1 included 360 male Vietnam War Veterans with combat-related PTSD; Study 2 included 284 female Veterans and active duty service personnel with PTSD and a high base rate of exposure to sexual trauma. RESULTS The latent profile analysis yielded evidence for a three-class solution in both samples: the model was defined by moderate and high PTSD classes and a class marked by high PTSD severity coupled with high levels of dissociation. Approximately 15% of the male sample and 30% of the female sample were classified into the dissociative class. Women (but not men) in the dissociative group exhibited higher levels of comorbid avoidant and borderline PD diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS Results provide support for a dissociative subtype of PTSD and also suggest that dissociation may play a role in the frequent co-occurrence of PTSD and borderline PD among women. These results are pertinent to the on-going revisions to the DSM and suggest that consideration should be given to incorporating a dissociative subtype into the revised PTSD criteria.
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Wolf EJ, Miller MW, Reardon AF, Ryabchenko KA, Castillo D, Freund R. A latent class analysis of dissociation and posttraumatic stress disorder: evidence for a dissociative subtype. ARCHIVES OF GENERAL PSYCHIATRY 2012; 69:698-705. [PMID: 22752235 PMCID: PMC3390764 DOI: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.1574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The nature of the relationship of dissociation to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is controversial and of considerable clinical and nosologic importance. OBJECTIVES To examine evidence for a dissociative subtype of PTSD and to examine its association with different types of trauma. DESIGN A latent profile analysis of cross-sectional data from structured clinical interviews indexing DSM-IV symptoms of current PTSD and dissociation. SETTINGS The VA Boston Healthcare System and the New Mexico VA Health Care System. PARTICIPANTS A total of 492 veterans and their intimate partners, all of whom had a history of trauma. Participants reported exposure to a variety of traumatic events, including combat, childhood physical and sexual abuse, partner abuse, motor vehicle accidents, and natural disasters, with most participants reporting exposure to multiple types of traumatic events. Forty-two percent of the sample met the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Item-level scores on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale. RESULTS A latent profile analysis suggested a 3-class solution: a low PTSD severity subgroup, a high PTSD severity subgroup characterized by elevations across the 17 core symptoms of the disorder, and a small but distinctly dissociative subgroup that composed 12% of individuals with a current diagnosis of PTSD. The latter group was characterized by severe PTSD symptoms combined with marked elevations on items assessing flashbacks, derealization, and depersonalization. Individuals in this subgroup also endorsed greater exposure to childhood and adult sexual trauma compared with the other 2 groups, suggesting a possible etiologic link with the experience of repeated sexual trauma. CONCLUSIONS These results support the subtype hypothesis of the association between PTSD and dissociation and suggest that dissociation is a highly salient facet of posttraumatic psychopathology in a subset of individuals with the disorder.
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109
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Resick PA, Bovin MJ, Calloway AL, Dick AM, King MW, Mitchell KS, Suvak MK, Wells SY, Stirman SW, Wolf EJ. A critical evaluation of the complex PTSD literature: implications for DSM-5. J Trauma Stress 2012; 25:241-51. [PMID: 22729974 DOI: 10.1002/jts.21699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) has been proposed as a diagnosis for capturing the diverse clusters of symptoms observed in survivors of prolonged trauma that are outside the current definition of PTSD. Introducing a new diagnosis requires a high standard of evidence, including a clear definition of the disorder, reliable and valid assessment measures, support for convergent and discriminant validity, and incremental validity with respect to implications for treatment planning and outcome. In this article, the extant literature on CPTSD is reviewed within the framework of construct validity to evaluate the proposed diagnosis on these criteria. Although the efforts in support of CPTSD have brought much needed attention to limitations in the trauma literature, we conclude that available evidence does not support a new diagnostic category at this time. Some directions for future research are suggested.
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110
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Miller MW, Wolf EJ, Reardon A, Greene A, Ofrat S, McInerney S. Personality and the latent structure of PTSD comorbidity. J Anxiety Disord 2012; 26:599-607. [PMID: 22480716 PMCID: PMC3401582 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2012.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Revised: 02/27/2012] [Accepted: 02/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the structure of PTSD comorbidity and its relationship to personality in a sample of 214 veterans using data from diagnostic interviews and the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire-Brief Form (MPQ-BF; Patrick, Curtin, & Tellegen, 2002). Confirmatory factor analyses supported a three factor model composed of Externalizing, Fear and Distress factors. Analyses that examined the location of borderline personality disorder revealed significant cross-loadings for this disorder on both Externalizing and Distress. Structural equation models showed trait negative emotionality to be significantly related to all three comorbidity factors whereas positive emotionality and constraint evidenced specific associations with Distress and Externalizing, respectively. These results shed new light on the location of borderline personality disorder within the internalizing/externalizing model and clarify the relative influence of broad dimensions of personality on patterns of comorbidity.
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111
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Wolf EJ, Miller MW, Harrington KM, Reardon A. Personality-based latent classes of posttraumatic psychopathology: personality disorders and the internalizing/externalizing model. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY 2012; 121:256-62. [PMID: 21574669 PMCID: PMC3568935 DOI: 10.1037/a0023237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Prior research using the Brief Form of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ-BF; Patrick, Curtin, & Tellegen, 2002) has shown evidence of 3 temperament-based subtypes--termed internalizing, externalizing, and simple PTSD--among individuals with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Miller, Greif, & Smith, 2003). This study sought to replicate and extend research in this area by conducting a latent profile analysis of higher order temperament scales from the MPQ-BF using a new sample of 208 veterans with symptoms of PTSD. Results suggest that a 3-class solution reflecting internalizing, externalizing, and simple subtypes of posttraumatic psychopathology provided the best fit to the data. The externalizing subtype was characterized by features of antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders on the International Personality Disorder Examination (Loranger, 1999) as well as low levels of constraint and high levels of negative emotionality on the MPQ-BF. In contrast, individuals in the internalizing class exhibited features of schizoid and avoidant personality disorders, low levels of positive emotionality, and high levels of negative emotionality. The simple subtype was defined by low levels of comorbid personality disorder features and relatively normal personality profiles. Findings support the reliability of this typology and support the relevance of the internalizing and externalizing model to the structure of personality disorders.
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Niles BL, Klunk-Gillis J, Ryngala DJ, Silberbogen AK, Paysnick A, Wolf EJ. Comparing mindfulness and psychoeducation treatments for combat-related PTSD using a telehealth approach. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1037/a0026161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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113
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Wolf EJ, Miller MW, Brown TA. The structure of personality disorders in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder. Personal Disord 2011; 2:261-78. [PMID: 22448802 PMCID: PMC4288460 DOI: 10.1037/a0023168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Research on the structure of personality disorders (PDs) has relied primarily on exploratory analyses to evaluate trait-based models of the factors underlying the covariation of these disorders. This study used confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate whether a model that included both PD traits and a general personality dysfunction factor would account for the comorbidity of the PDs better than a trait-only model. It also examined if the internalizing/externalizing model of psychopathology, developed previously through research on the structure of Axis I disorders, might similarly account for the covariation of the Axis II disorders in a sample of 245 veterans and nonveterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Results indicated that the best fitting model was a modified bifactor structure composed of nine lower-order common factors. These factors indexed pathology ranging from aggression to dependency, with the correlations among them accounted for by higher-order Internalizing and Externalizing factors. Further, a general factor, reflecting a construct that we termed boundary disturbance, accounted for additional variance and covariance across nearly all the indicators. The Internalizing, Externalizing, and Boundary Disturbance factors evidenced differential associations with trauma-related covariates. These findings suggest continuity in the underlying structure of psychopathology across DSM-IV Axes I and II and provide empirical evidence of a pervasive, core disturbance in the boundary between self and other across the PDs.
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114
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Wolf EJ, Harrington KM, Miller MW. Psychometric properties of the Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality in a PTSD sample. Psychol Assess 2011; 23:911-24. [PMID: 21767029 DOI: 10.1037/a0023985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the psychometric characteristics of the Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality (SNAP; Clark, 1996) in 280 individuals who screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The SNAP validity, trait, temperament, and personality disorder (PD) scales were compared with scales on the Brief Form of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (Patrick, Curtin, & Tellegen, 2002). In a subsample of 86 veterans, the SNAP PD, trait, and temperament scales were also evaluated in comparison to the International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE; Loranger, 1999), a semistructured diagnostic interview. Results revealed that the SNAP scales have good convergent validity, as evidenced by their pattern of associations with related measures of personality and PD. However, evidence for their discriminant validity in relationship to other measures of personality and PD was more mixed, and test scores on the SNAP trait and temperament scales left much unexplained variance in IPDE-assessed PDs. The diagnostic scoring of the SNAP PD scales greatly inflated prevalence estimates of PDs relative to the IPDE and showed poor agreement with the IPDE. In contrast, the dimensional SNAP scores yielded far stronger associations with continuous scores on the IPDE. The SNAP scales also largely evidenced expected patterns of association with a measure of PTSD severity. Overall, findings support the use of this measure in this population and contribute to our conceptualization of the association between temperament, PTSD, and Axis II psychopathology.
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115
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Miller MW, Wolf EJ, Harrington KM, Brown TA, Kaloupek DG, Keane TM. An evaluation of competing models for the structure of PTSD symptoms using external measures of comorbidity. J Trauma Stress 2010; 23:631-8. [PMID: 20839312 DOI: 10.1002/jts.20559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Research on the structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms has yielded support for two 4-factor models: the King (King, Leskin, King, & Weathers, 1998) and Simms/Watson models (Simms, Watson, & Doebbeling, 2002). This study evaluated them using data drawn from 1,128 Vietnam veterans by comparing associations with a latent internalizing comorbidity variable and five scales from the MMPI-2 Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales (Tellegen et al., 2003). The Simms/Watson dysphoria factor failed to show evidence of superior convergent or discriminant validity in association with external measures relative to the numbing or hyperarousal factors of the King model. Findings raise questions about proposals to abandon the distinction between numbing and hyperarousal symptoms in favor of a dysphoria-based model.
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Wolf EJ, Miller MW, Krueger RF, Lyons MJ, Tsuang MT, Koenen KC. Posttraumatic stress disorder and the genetic structure of comorbidity. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY 2010; 119:320-30. [PMID: 20455605 DOI: 10.1037/a0019035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This study used structural equation modeling to examine the genetic and environmental architecture of latent dimensions of internalizing and externalizing psychiatric comorbidity and explored structural associations between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and these dimensions. Data were drawn from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry and included lifetime diagnoses for PTSD and a range of other psychiatric disorders for 3,372 male-male twin pairs. Examination of the phenotypic structure of these disorders revealed that PTSD cross-loaded on both Internalizing and Externalizing common factors. Biometric analyses suggested largely distinct genetic risk factors for the latent internalizing and externalizing comorbidity dimensions, with the total heritability of the Externalizing factor (69%) estimated to be significantly stronger than that for Internalizing (41%). Nonshared environment explained the majority of the remaining variance in the Internalizing (58%) and Externalizing (20%) factors. Shared genetic variance across the 2 dimensions explained 67% of their phenotypic correlation (r = .52). These findings have implications for conceptualizations of the etiology of PTSD and its location in an empirically based nosology.
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Wolf EJ, Mori DL. "Avoidant coping as predictor of mortality in veterans with end-stage renal disease": Response to Jewett, Newton, Smith, & Thombs (2010). Psychol Health 2010. [DOI: 10.1037/a0020330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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118
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Marx BP, Foley KM, Feinstein BA, Wolf EJ, Kaloupek DG, Keane TM. Combat-related guilt mediates the relations between exposure to combat-related abusive violence and psychiatric diagnoses. Depress Anxiety 2010; 27:287-93. [PMID: 20099268 DOI: 10.1002/da.20659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined the degree to which combat-related guilt mediated the relations between exposure to combat-related abusive violence and both Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in Vietnam Veterans. METHODS Secondary analyses were conducted on data collected from 1,323 male Vietnam Veterans as part of a larger, multisite study. RESULTS Results revealed that combat-related guilt partially mediated the association between exposure to combat-related abusive violence and PTSD, but completely mediated the association with MDD, with overall combat exposure held constant in the model. Follow-up analyses showed that, when comparing those participants who actually participated in combat-related abusive violence with those who only observed it, combat-related guilt completely mediated the association between participation in abusive violence and both PTSD and MDD. Moreover, when comparing those participants who observed combat-related abusive violence with those who had no exposure at all to it, combat-related guilt completely mediated the association between observation of combat-related abusive violence and MDD, but only partially mediated the association with PTSD. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that guilt may be a mechanism through which abusive violence is related to PTSD and MDD among combat-deployed Veterans. These findings also suggest the importance of assessing abusive-violence related guilt among combat-deployed Veterans and implementing relevant interventions for such guilt whenever indicated.
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Wolf EJ, Mori DL. Avoidant coping as a predictor of mortality in veterans with end-stage renal disease. Health Psychol 2009; 28:330-7. [DOI: 10.1037/a0013583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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120
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Wolf EJ, Miller MW, Orazem RJ, Weierich MR, Castillo DT, Milford J, Kaloupek DG, Keane TM. "The MMPI–2 Restructured Clinical Scales in the assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid disorders”: Correction. Psychol Assess 2009. [DOI: 10.1037/a0015233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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121
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Wolf EJ, Miller MW, Orazem RJ, Weierich MR, Castillo DT, Milford J, Kaloupek DG, Keane TM. The MMPI-2 restructured clinical scales in the assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid disorders. Psychol Assess 2009; 20:327-40. [PMID: 19086756 DOI: 10.1037/a0012948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the psychometric properties of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) Restructured Clinical Scales (RCSs) in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) receiving clinical services at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. Study 1 included 1,098 men who completed the MMPI-2 and were assessed for a range of psychological disorders via structured clinical interview. Study 2 included 136 women who completed the MMPI-2 and were interviewed with the Clinician Administered Scale for PTSD. The utility of the RCSs was compared with that of the Clinical Scales (CSs) and the Keane PTSD (PK) scale. The RCSs demonstrated good psychometric properties and patterns of associations with other measures of psychopathology that corresponded to current theory regarding the structure of comorbidity. A notable advantage of the RCSs compared with the MMPI-2 CSs was their enhanced construct validity and clinical utility in the assessment of comorbid internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. The PK scale demonstrated incremental validity in the prediction of PTSD beyond that of the RCSs or CSs.
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Miller MW, Fogler JM, Wolf EJ, Kaloupek DG, Keane TM. The internalizing and externalizing structure of psychiatric comorbidity in combat veterans. J Trauma Stress 2008; 21:58-65. [PMID: 18302181 PMCID: PMC3561690 DOI: 10.1002/jts.20303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the latent structure of psychiatric disorders in a sample with a high prevalence of PTSD. A series of confirmatory factor analyses tested competing models for the covariation between Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R diagnoses among 1,325 Vietnam veterans. The best-fitting solution was a 3-factor model that included two correlated internalizing factors: anxious-misery, defined by PTSD and major depression, and fear, defined by panic disorder/agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The third factor, externalizing, was defined by antisocial personality disorder, alcohol abuse/dependence, and drug abuse/dependence. Both substance-related disorders also showed significant, albeit smaller, cross-loadings on the anxious-misery factor. These findings shed new light on the structure of psychiatric comorbidity in a treatment-seeking sample characterized by high rates of PTSD.
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Kutter CJ, Wolf EJ, McKeever VM. Predictors of veterans' participation in cognitive-behavioral group treatment for PTSD. J Trauma Stress 2004; 17:157-62. [PMID: 15141789 DOI: 10.1023/b:jots.0000022622.71244.0f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Increasingly effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have led to dramatic improvements in the lives of many trauma survivors; however, a significant subgroup of individuals with PTSD avoids mental health treatment. Little is known about the features distinguishing those who participate in treatment from those who do not. We analyzed archival clinical data from 197 male veterans who were evaluated in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center PTSD clinic. We found greater PTSD severity associated with initial enrollment and continued participation in a PTSD group treatment program, and we noted few differences on other background and symptom measures. These preliminary findings suggest possible directions for future research in this area, which may have implications for enhancing service delivery to individuals with PTSD.
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Bolton EE, Lambert JF, Wolf EJ, Raja S, Varra AA, Fisher LM. Evaluating a Cognitive-Behavioral Group Treatment Program for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Psychol Serv 2004. [DOI: 10.1037/1541-1559.1.2.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Niles BL, Wolf EJ, Kutter CJ. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology in Vietnam veterans before and after September 11. J Nerv Ment Dis 2003; 191:682-4. [PMID: 14555871 DOI: 10.1097/01.nmd.0000092178.45511.e6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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