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Liu H, Wang X, Gong T, Xu S, Zhang J, Yan L, Zeng Y, Yi M, Qian Y. Neuromodulation treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis covering efficacy, acceptability, and follow-up effects. J Anxiety Disord 2024; 106:102912. [PMID: 39094317 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2024.102912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Neuromodulation treatments are novel interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but their comparative effects at treatment endpoint and follow-up and the influence of moderators remain unclear. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that explored neuromodulation, both as monotherapy and in combination, for treating patients with PTSD. 21 RCTs with 981 PTSD patients were included. The neuromodulation treatment was classified into nine protocols, including subtypes of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), cervical vagal nerve stimulation (VNS), and trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS). This Bayesian network meta-analysis demonstrated that (1) dual-tDCS (SMD = -1.30), high-frequency repetitive TMS (HF-rTMS) (SMD = -0.97), intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) (SMD = -0.93), and low-frequency repetitive TMS (LF-rTMS) (SMD = -0.76) were associated with significant reductions in PTSD symptoms at the treatment endpoint, but these effects were not significant at follow-up; (2) no difference was found between any active treatment with sham controls; (3) regarding co-morbid additions, synchronized TMS (sTMS) was significantly associated with reductions of depression symptoms at treatment endpoint (SMD = -1.80) and dual-tDCS was associated with reductions in anxiety symptoms at follow-up (SMD = -1.70). Findings suggested dual-tDCS, HF-rTMS, iTBS, and LF-rTMS were effective for reducing PTSD symptoms, while their sustained efficacy was limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoning Liu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), 51 Huayuan North Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, PR China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Tingting Gong
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, PR China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education / National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Shi Xu
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, PR China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education / National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jiachen Zhang
- Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Li Yan
- Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Yuyi Zeng
- Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Ming Yi
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, PR China; Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education / National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Ying Qian
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), 51 Huayuan North Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, PR China.
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Morland L, Perivoliotis D, Wachsman T, Alam A, Knopp K, Khalifian C, Ramanathan D, Chargin B, Bismark A, Glynn S, Stauffer C, Wagner A. MDMA-assisted brief cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD: Study protocol for a pilot study. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2024; 40:101314. [PMID: 38994348 PMCID: PMC11237689 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) impacts both individual and relational functioning. Veteran couples are at increased risk of relationship distress due to military stressors such as deployment, family reintegration, and traumatic stress. Although both Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT) and its brief version (bCBCT) consistently have large effects on reducing PTSD symptoms, these treatments have more variable effects on relational outcomes. Given the impact of relationship functioning on the overall health of veterans, improving the effect of PTSD treatments on relationship functioning is an essential area of research. One promising path is the role of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted therapy in augmenting the relational impact of established therapeutic interventions such as bCBCT. Method/Design This is a single site, open-label study assessing the preliminary efficacy, safety, and acceptability of MDMA-assisted therapy in combination with bCBCT in 8 veterans with PTSD and their intimate partners (N = 16). Therapy teams trained in bCBCT and MDMA-assisted therapy will deliver bCBCT combined with two MDMA sessions and two couple emotion focused integration sessions. PTSD symptom severity and relationship functioning outcomes will be evaluated. Conclusion This is the first study to examine the efficacy of MDMA-assisted bCBCT for improving PTSD and relationship functioning among a sample of U.S. military veterans and their partners. This project could provide an opportunity to pilot a scalable model of treating PTSD within the Veterans Affairs healthcare system and leverage the benefits of MDMA for veterans with PTSD, as well as the downstream benefits to their partner on both individual and relationship functioning. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05979844.
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Affiliation(s)
- L.A. Morland
- Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD Women's Health Sciences Division, 150 South Huntington Street, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CT, 92093, USA
| | - D. Perivoliotis
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CT, 92093, USA
| | - T.R. Wachsman
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
| | - A. Alam
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CT, 92093, USA
| | - K. Knopp
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CT, 92093, USA
| | - C. Khalifian
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CT, 92093, USA
| | - D. Ramanathan
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CT, 92093, USA
| | - B.E. Chargin
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
| | - A.W. Bismark
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CT, 92093, USA
| | - S. Glynn
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, 11301 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - C. Stauffer
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, 3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Rd, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - A.C. Wagner
- Remedy, 703 Bloor Street West, Suite 201, Toronto, Ontario, M6G 1L5, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria St., Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2K3, Canada
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3
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Cannon CJ, Gray MJ. A Caregiver Perspective for Partners of PTSD Survivors: Understanding the Experiences of Partners. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:644. [PMID: 39199040 PMCID: PMC11352201 DOI: 10.3390/bs14080644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Research affirms that survivors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience psychological distress that affects their romantic partners, and that a bi-directional effect between PTSD symptoms and romantic relationship satisfaction exists, indicating that improvements in the romantic relationship may lead to the improved well-being of the survivor. Indeed, as romantic partners of PTSD survivors are both negatively impacted by the distress of the survivor, and romantic relationship satisfaction can affect the distress of the PTSD survivor, partners are a key stakeholder for mental health. Unfortunately, theoretical models have not adequately captured the experience of this population to properly illuminate their experience and provide appropriate treatment directives. This paper examines the informal caregiving integrative model to determine its applicability to the romantic partners of PTSD survivors with respect to the determinants, mediators, and outcomes. The current literature on romantic partners is used to evaluate the adequacy of fit, as well as to provide the components unique to partners. Future directions, clinical implications, and limitations of current research are explored based on the results of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matt J. Gray
- Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82072, USA
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Annett J, Tillson M, Dickson M, Levi M, Webster JM, Staton M. Maltreatment, resilience, and sexual relationship power in a sample of justice-involved women with opioid use disorder. J Trauma Stress 2024; 37:516-526. [PMID: 38520157 PMCID: PMC11176025 DOI: 10.1002/jts.23030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Justice-involved women frequently report maltreatment and intimate relationships characterized by violence and abuse throughout adulthood. The present study aimed to (a) investigate the association between victimization and sexual relationship power (SRP) among justice-involved women with opioid use disorder (OUD) and (b) explore resilience as a potential moderating factor of the association between victimization and SRP. Under the ongoing Kentucky Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) cooperative, justice-involved women (N = 700) were randomly selected from eight jails in Kentucky, screened for OUD, consented to participate, and interviewed by research staff. SRP was examined using the Sexual Relationship Power Scale, a validated instrument with two distinct subscales measuring decision-making dominance (DMD) and relationship control (RC); prior maltreatment was measured using the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs General Victimization Scale, and resilience was assessed using the Brief Resilience Scale. Linear regression was used to examine the association between maltreatment and SRP, with three models constructed to account for SRP, DMD, and RC, controlled for demographic characteristics. Finally, we examined whether the association between victimization and SRP varied as a function of resilience. Significant negative associations between maltreatment and the SRP were observed, ps < .001. Resilience moderated the association between maltreatment and DMD, p = .005; however, resilience did not moderate the associations between maltreatment and SRP, p = .141, or RC, p = .735. These findings highlight the importance of increasing resilience in justice-involved women with OUD to reduce the impact of maltreatment on SRP. Prioritizing resilience may offer significant benefits for preventing and addressing maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaxin Annett
- University of Kentucky Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Martha Tillson
- University of Kentucky Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Megan Dickson
- University of Kentucky Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Mary Levi
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - J. Matthew Webster
- University of Kentucky Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Michele Staton
- University of Kentucky Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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5
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Barden EP, Mattson RE, Mastroleo N, Balderrama-Durbin C. The impact of emotion regulation and dyadic coping within posttraumatic stress symptoms and risky drinking patterns on relationship distress among trauma-exposed individuals. J Trauma Stress 2024. [PMID: 38803095 DOI: 10.1002/jts.23057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Individuals with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) often consume alcohol to manage PTSS-related discomfort, which can negatively impact individual and interpersonal functioning. Processes including emotion regulation and dyadic coping may influence the effects of PTSS and drinking patterns on relationship functioning. The present study examined how PTSS and risky drinking may function through the associations between maladaptive individual and interpersonal coping strategies and relationship distress among trauma-exposed individuals. Participants were 237 adults in a romantic relationship who endorsed lifetime trauma exposure and alcohol consumption within the past year and completed an online battery of self-report measures. Path analyses showed mixed support for the hypothesized theoretical causal model. PTSS was associated with maladaptive emotion regulation, β = .537, p = .010, and negative dyadic coping, β = .264, p = .009, whereas risky drinking was only related to negative dyadic coping, β = .193, p = .024. Negative dyadic coping was significant in the pathways between PTSS and relationship distress, β = .021, p = .009, and risky drinking and relationship distress, β = .030, p = .014. Exploratory analyses based on trauma type did not significantly change the overall model; however, a direct path suggested PTSS may have a stronger negative impact on relationship distress among individuals who experienced assault trauma (e.g., physical or sexual assault), β = .340, p = .012. Findings highlight the interrelations among intra- and interpersonal regulation and provide clinical targets of maladaptive emotion regulation and dyadic coping strategies for individuals with PTSS and harmful drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen P Barden
- Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard E Mattson
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Nadine Mastroleo
- Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
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Fredman SJ, Le Y, Monson CM, Mogle JA, Macdonald A, Blount TH, Hall-Clark BN, Fina BA, Dondanville KA, Mintz J, Litz BT, Young-McCaughan S, Yarvis JS, Keane TM, Peterson AL. Pretreatment relationship characteristics predict outcomes from an uncontrolled trial of intensive, multicouple group PTSD treatment. JOURNAL OF FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY : JFP : JOURNAL OF THE DIVISION OF FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (DIVISION 43) 2024; 38:502-509. [PMID: 38330322 PMCID: PMC10963147 DOI: 10.1037/fam0001185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (CBCT for PTSD; Monson & Fredman, 2012) is associated with improvements in patients' and partners' mental health and relationship satisfaction. Some pretreatment relationship characteristics have predicted CBCT for PTSD outcomes for patients, but findings were limited to a single community sample consisting primarily of female patients with male partners. A better understanding of whether pretreatment relationship characteristics predict outcomes in other patient populations and whether there are partners who may be particularly responsive to couple therapy for PTSD could optimize treatment matching. This study investigated whether pretreatment partner accommodation and relationship satisfaction predicted patient and partner treatment outcomes from an uncontrolled trial of an abbreviated, intensive, multicouple group version of CBCT for PTSD conducted with 24 active-duty military or veteran couples (96% male patients/female partners). In general, changes in patients' PTSD and comorbid symptoms and relationship satisfaction did not vary by pretreatment partner accommodation or patients' own pretreatment relationship satisfaction. In contrast, pretreatment relationship characteristics predicted partner outcomes. Partners who engaged in higher levels of accommodation pretreatment and partners who reported lower levels of pretreatment relationship satisfaction experienced greater declines in psychological distress following treatment. Also, partners who began the study relationally distressed exhibited significant increases in relationship satisfaction following treatment, whereas those who were not relationally distressed did not. Findings suggest that improvements generally do not vary by pretreatment relationship characteristics for patients, whereas partners who begin treatment with elevated relationship risk factors may be especially likely to experience improvement across outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffany J. Fredman
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University
| | - Yunying Le
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver
| | | | | | | | - Tabatha H. Blount
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Brittany N. Hall-Clark
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Brooke A. Fina
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Katherine A. Dondanville
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Jim Mintz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Research and Development Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, United States
| | - Brett T. Litz
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine
| | - Stacey Young-McCaughan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Research and Development Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, United States
| | - Jeffrey S. Yarvis
- Department of Behavioral Health, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas, United States
| | - Terence M. Keane
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine
- Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Alan L. Peterson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Research and Development Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, United States
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio
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7
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Travis KJ, Huang AJ, Maguen S, Inslicht S, Byers AL, Seal KH, Gibson CJ. Military Sexual Trauma and Menopause Symptoms Among Midlife Women Veterans. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:411-417. [PMID: 37957529 PMCID: PMC10897107 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08493-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual assault and/or sexual harassment during military service (military sexual trauma (MST)) can have medical and mental health consequences. Most MST research has focused on reproductive-aged women, and little is known about the long-term impact of MST on menopause and aging-related health. OBJECTIVE Examine associations of MST with menopause and mental health outcomes in midlife women Veterans. DESIGN Cross-sectional. PARTICIPANTS Women Veterans aged 45-64 enrolled in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare in Northern California between March 2019 and May 2020. MAIN MEASURES Standardized VA screening questions assessed MST exposure. Structured-item questionnaires assessed vasomotor symptoms (VMS), vaginal symptoms, sleep difficulty, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression analyses examined associations between MST and outcomes based on clinically relevant menopause and mental health symptom thresholds. KEY RESULTS Of 232 participants (age = 55.95 ± 5.13), 73% reported MST, 66% reported VMS, 75% reported vaginal symptoms, 36% met criteria for moderate-to-severe insomnia, and almost half had clinically significant mental health symptoms (33% depressive symptoms, 49% anxiety, 27% probable PTSD). In multivariable analyses adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, education, body mass index, and menopause status, MST was associated with the presence of VMS (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.26-4.72), vaginal symptoms (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.08-4.62), clinically significant depressive symptoms (OR 3.21, 95% CI 1.45-7.10), anxiety (OR 4.78, 95% CI 2.25-10.17), and probable PTSD (OR 6.74, 95% CI 2.27-19.99). Results did not differ when military sexual assault and harassment were disaggregated, except that military sexual assault was additionally associated with moderate-to-severe insomnia (OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.72-5.88). CONCLUSIONS Exposure to MST is common among midlife women Veterans and shows strong and independent associations with clinically significant menopause and mental health symptoms. Findings highlight the importance of trauma-informed approaches to care that acknowledge the role of MST on Veteran women's health across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate J Travis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco Weill Institute for Neurosciences, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alison J Huang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shira Maguen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco Weill Institute for Neurosciences, San Francisco, CA, USA
- San Francisco Veteran Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sabra Inslicht
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco Weill Institute for Neurosciences, San Francisco, CA, USA
- San Francisco Veteran Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amy L Byers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco Weill Institute for Neurosciences, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- San Francisco Veteran Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Karen H Seal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco Weill Institute for Neurosciences, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- San Francisco Veteran Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Carolyn J Gibson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco Weill Institute for Neurosciences, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- San Francisco Veteran Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Alduraidi H, Al Karmi F, Mustafa A, Alzu'bi M, Odeh N, Alrawabdeh J, Alzyoud M. The Impact of War Trauma and Housing Environment on Mental Wellbeing of Syrian Refugees in Jordan: A Comparison between In-Camp and Urban Populations. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2024; 45:186-195. [PMID: 38301172 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2023.2297306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to compare mental wellbeing and levels of post-trauma distress between Syrian refugees who live inside camps and those who live outside camps in Jordan through a survey-based cross-sectional design, where data were collected from 240 adult Syrian refugees in Jordan. The Arabic versions of the Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF), and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) were used to quantitatively measure variables through descriptive statistics and multiple comparative analysis tests. Despite having no significant correlation with residence, findings of the MHC-SF showed significance for mental wellbeing with employment status and income. Whereas IES-R showed that camp refugees fared significantly better in terms of trauma effect than urban refugees. It can be concluded that Syrian refugees living inside camps were disadvantaged in terms of mental wellbeing but slightly less affected by war in comparison to those living in urban areas. Improved programs and policies are needed to uplift the mental wellbeing of Syrian refugees in Jordan and to minimize the destructive traumatic effects of the Syrian war on their wellness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Feras Al Karmi
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Anas Mustafa
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Marah Alzu'bi
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Nada Odeh
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
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Brooks SK, Greenberg N. Recurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder: systematic review of definitions, prevalence and predictors. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:37. [PMID: 38195482 PMCID: PMC10777598 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05460-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many people will experience a potentially traumatic event in their lifetime and a minority will go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A wealth of literature explores different trajectories of PTSD, focusing mostly on resilient, chronic, recovered and delayed-onset trajectories. Less is known about other potential trajectories such as recurring episodes of PTSD after initial recovery, and to date there has been no estimate of what percentage of those who initially recover from PTSD later go on to experience a recurrence. This systematic review aimed to synthesise existing literature to identify (i) how 'recurrence' of PTSD is defined in the literature; (ii) the prevalence of recurrent episodes of PTSD; and (iii) factors associated with recurrence. METHODS A literature search of five electronic databases identified primary, quantitative studies relevant to the research aims. Reference lists of studies meeting pre-defined inclusion criteria were also hand-searched. Relevant data were extracted systematically from the included studies and results are reported narratively. RESULTS Searches identified 5,398 studies, and 35 were deemed relevant to the aims of the review. Results showed there is little consensus in the terminology or definitions used to refer to recurrence of PTSD. Because recurrence was defined and measured in different ways across the literature, and prevalence rates were reported in numerous different ways, it was not possible to perform meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of recurrence. We also found no consistent evidence regarding predictors of PTSD recurrence. CONCLUSION A clear and consistent evidence-based definition of recurrence is urgently needed before the prevalence and predictors of recurrence can be truly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha K Brooks
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, SE5 9RJ, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Neil Greenberg
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, SE5 9RJ, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Zaretsky TG, Jagodnik KM, Barsic R, Antonio JH, Bonanno PA, MacLeod C, Pierce C, Carney H, Morrison MT, Saylor C, Danias G, Lepow L, Yehuda R. The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:636-735. [PMID: 38284341 PMCID: PMC10845102 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231027111147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur following exposure to a traumatic experience. An estimated 12 million U.S. adults are presently affected by this disorder. Current treatments include psychological therapies (e.g., exposure-based interventions) and pharmacological treatments (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)). However, a significant proportion of patients receiving standard-of-care therapies for PTSD remain symptomatic, and new approaches for this and other trauma-related mental health conditions are greatly needed. Psychedelic compounds that alter cognition, perception, and mood are currently being examined for their efficacy in treating PTSD despite their current status as Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)- scheduled substances. Initial clinical trials have demonstrated the potential value of psychedelicassisted therapy to treat PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the state of the science of PTSD clinical care, including current treatments and their shortcomings. We review clinical studies of psychedelic interventions to treat PTSD, trauma-related disorders, and common comorbidities. The classic psychedelics psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and DMT-containing ayahuasca, as well as the entactogen 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and the dissociative anesthetic ketamine, are reviewed. For each drug, we present the history of use, psychological and somatic effects, pharmacology, and safety profile. The rationale and proposed mechanisms for use in treating PTSD and traumarelated disorders are discussed. This review concludes with an in-depth consideration of future directions for the psychiatric applications of psychedelics to maximize therapeutic benefit and minimize risk in individuals and communities impacted by trauma-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Glatman Zaretsky
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Jagodnik
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert Barsic
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Josimar Hernandez Antonio
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Philip A. Bonanno
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carolyn MacLeod
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charlotte Pierce
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hunter Carney
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Morgan T. Morrison
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles Saylor
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - George Danias
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lauren Lepow
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Yehuda
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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11
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Abu-Raya NE, Gewirtz-Meydan A. Childhood Sexual Abuse and Relationship Satisfaction: The Moderating Role of PTSD and Sexual-Related Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms. JOURNAL OF SEX & MARITAL THERAPY 2023; 49:996-1012. [PMID: 37497823 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2023.2237510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Research on childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has consistently demonstrated the long-term effects of such abuse, not only on survivors' development, but also on the nature and quality of their adult relationships, particularly romantic ones. In this study we examined the moderating role of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sexual-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (sexual-related PTSS) between CSA and relationship satisfaction. Survey data from 529 individuals who reported being currently in a romantic relationship were analyzed. In the first set of analyses, results demonstrated that participants with CSA reported significantly lower relationship satisfaction and significantly greater severity of PTSD and sexual-related PTSS than participants without CSA. Sexual-related PTSS but not PTSD moderated the association between CSA and participants' relationship satisfaction, with the model of sexual-related PTSS explaining 20.8% of the variance in relationship satisfaction and the model of PTSD explaining 11.3% of this variance. In the second set of analyses conducted among survivors of CSA only, higher sexual-related PTSS severity was linked with ongoing abuse and with abuse by a non-family member. This study points to the potential contribution made by sexual-related PTSS to relationship satisfaction among survivors of CSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Evon Abu-Raya
- School of Social Work, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan
- School of Social Work, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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12
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Delicate A, Ayers S. The impact of birth trauma on the couple relationship and related support requirements; a framework analysis of parents' perspectives. Midwifery 2023; 123:103732. [PMID: 37229840 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ongoing distress following a traumatic birth experience, commonly known as birth trauma, can lead to post-traumatic stress symptoms. Experiencing birth trauma can affect personal well-being and impact the couple relationship. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to explore the lived experience of the impact of birth trauma on the couple relationship and related support requirements. METHODS A purposive sample of men and women in the UK who had experienced birth as traumatic were recruited and interviewed remotely in 2021. Data were analysed using framework analysis in NVivo 12. RESULTS The sample (N=18) contained 9 women who were first time parents and 9 men; 5 of which were first time parents and 4 who had two children. Twelve themes are reported related to the impact of birth trauma on the couple relationship. Findings suggest the impact of birth trauma on the couple relationship can be negative and distressing, or for some lead to a strengthened relationship. Fourteen themes are reported related to associated birth trauma support. Negative aspects of support were reported in themes: unavailability of help from friends and family; unhelpful birth debriefing services; no personal awareness of birth trauma; absence of trauma validation from health care professionals; lack of awareness of the emotional needs of men; and barriers to accessing psychological services. Potential improvements to support included: supporting parents to understand the traumatic events; birth trauma informed antenatal preparation; improving access to specialist psychological services; and compassionate parent centred maternity services. CONCLUSIONS The impact of birth trauma on the couple relationship appears complex with both positive and negative affects reported. Current support for the impact of birth trauma on the couple relationship has perceived inadequacies for which improvements are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Delicate
- Research Assistant, Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research, City University of London.
| | - Susan Ayers
- Professor, Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research, City University of London
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13
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Fredman SJ, Fischer MS, Baucom DH, Le Y, Taverna EC, Chow SM, Ram N, Marshall AD. PTSD Symptom Cluster Severity Predicts Momentary Emotion Dynamics During Couple Conversations. Behav Ther 2023; 54:330-345. [PMID: 36858763 PMCID: PMC10760910 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the associations between momentary emotion dynamics and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Using a sample of 61 couples (N = 122 individuals) in which all individuals were trauma exposed and at least one partner screened positive for PTSD, we examined the intra- and interpersonal regulation of vocally encoded emotional arousal (fundamental frequency [f0]) and how these momentary emotion regulatory patterns relate to specific PTSD symptoms during two couple conversations: one designed to elicit conflict and one to elicit intimacy. PTSD symptoms were assessed using a gold standard clinical interview. In both conversations, higher reexperiencing symptoms were associated with greater emotional inertia (i.e., more resistance to change in emotional state following deviation from one's emotional equilibrium), and higher avoidance symptoms were associated with less emotional inertia (i.e., quicker return to emotional equilibrium). In the intimacy conversations, individuals also responded to their partners' arousal. Furthermore, individuals whose partners exhibited higher emotional numbing symptoms exhibited more emotional inertia, suggesting that emotion regulation may be a function of both one's own and one's partner's PTSD symptoms. Attending to the interpersonal context of emotion dynamics during PTSD treatment may enhance outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nilam Ram
- The Pennsylvania State University and Stanford University
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14
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Howard KP, Spoont MR, Polusny MA, Eftekhari A, Rosen CS, Meis LA. The role of symptom accommodation in trauma-focused treatment engagement and response. J Trauma Stress 2023. [PMID: 36782380 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Although trauma-focused treatments (TFTs) are generally effective, not all patients improve. Symptom accommodation (i.e., altering one's behavior in response to another's symptoms) by loved ones may be particularly relevant to TFT treatment response and engagement. We examined the role of symptom accommodation by support persons (SPs) in veterans' PTSD treatment response, including the mediating role of treatment engagement and the moderating role of relationship strain. Veterans engaging in prolonged exposure or cognitive processing therapy and a loved one (N = 172 dyads) were sampled at two time points approximately four months apart. Measures of treatment engagement (i.e., highest session completed from the treatment protocol and homework completion) were obtained from hospital records. We found that relationship strain moderated the effect of symptom accommodation on treatment response, ∆R2 = .02. Specifically, Time 1 (T1) accommodation predicted poorer treatment response (i.e., Time 2 [T2] PTSD symptom severity, controlling for T1 symptoms) among veterans who reported below-average relationship strain only. Additionally, symptom accommodation was indirectly related to treatment response such that T1 accommodation predicted higher T2 PTSD symptom severity specifically through reduced homework completion, β = .01. The findings suggest that attending to accommodating behaviors of veterans' supportive partners may be an important way to boost both engagement in and response to TFTs for PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen P Howard
- Milwaukee VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.,Division of General Internal Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Michele R Spoont
- National Center for PTSD Pacific Islands Division, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Melissa A Polusny
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Afsoon Eftekhari
- National Center for PTSD Dissemination & Training Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA.,VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Craig S Rosen
- National Center for PTSD Dissemination & Training Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA.,VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Laura A Meis
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,National Center for PTSD Women's Health Sciences Division, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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15
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Gray KE, Silvestrini M, Ma EW, Nelson KM, Bastian LA, Voils CI. Gender differences in social support for diabetes self-management: A qualitative study among veterans. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2023; 107:107578. [PMID: 36463824 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2022.107578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Describe the role of social support in veterans' diabetes self-management and examine gender differences. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews among veterans with diabetes from one Veterans Health Administration Health Care System. Participants described how support persons influenced their diabetes self-management and perspectives on a proposed self-management program incorporating a support person. We used thematic analysis to identify salient themes and examine gender differences. RESULTS Among 18 women and 18 men, we identified four themes: 1) women felt responsible for their health and the care of others; 2) men shared responsibility for managing their diabetes, with support persons often attempting to correct behaviors (social control); 3) whereas both men and women described receiving instrumental and informational social support, primarily women described emotional support; and 4) some women's self-management efforts were hindered by support persons. Regarding programs incorporating a support person, some participants endorsed including family/friends and some preferred programs including other individuals with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Notable gender differences in social support for self-management were observed, with women assuming responsibility for their diabetes and their family's needs and experiencing interpersonal barriers. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Gender differences in the role of support persons in diabetes self-management should inform support-based self-management programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen E Gray
- Health Services Research & Development, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Molly Silvestrini
- Health Services Research & Development, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Erica W Ma
- Health Services Research & Development, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Karin M Nelson
- Health Services Research & Development, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA; General Medicine Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lori A Bastian
- Pain Research, Informatics, Multimorbidities, Education (PRIME) Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Corrine I Voils
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Administration Hospital, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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16
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Allen ES, Renshaw KD, Fredman SJ. An exploration of potential pressures to engage in parenting accommodation of PTSD symptoms for military couples. FAMILY PROCESS 2023. [PMID: 36720198 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In the context of service member posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, intimate partners may experience pressure to take over parenting roles and run interference between the service member and the children; that is, to engage in partner accommodation focal to parenting. The current study quantitatively assessed potential pressures to engage in parenting accommodation (PPEPA) in a sample of 207 female partners married to male service members with at least one child in the home and the convergence of PPEPA with service member PTSD symptoms, general partner accommodation, couple functioning, parenting, and child functioning. Partners' reports of PPEPA were associated with higher levels of service member PTSD symptoms and partners' general accommodation of PTSD symptoms. When controlling for service member PTSD symptoms and general partner accommodation, partner reports of PPEPA still accounted for unique variance in lower parenting alliance (as reported by both service member and partner), lower levels of service members' reports of closeness with children in the home, higher levels of harsh parenting by both the service member and partner, and greater child behavioral difficulties. Findings support PPEPA as related to partners' accommodative responses to PTSD but demonstrating unique associations with parenting alliance, parenting, and child outcomes. Parenting interventions in the context of PTSD may benefit from conjoint or family approaches that attend to the intersection of PTSD and broader family functioning, including pressures to engage in accommodation focal to the parenting domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth S Allen
- Department of Psychology, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Keith D Renshaw
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Steffany J Fredman
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
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17
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Reis DJ, Kaizer AM, Kinney AR, Bahraini NH, Forster JE, Brenner LA. The unique association of posttraumatic stress disorder with hypertension among veterans: A replication of Kibler et al. (2009) using Bayesian estimation and data from the United States-Veteran Microbiome Project. PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA : THEORY, RESEARCH, PRACTICE AND POLICY 2023; 15:131-139. [PMID: 35816586 PMCID: PMC9976482 DOI: 10.1037/tra0001304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Kibler et al. (2009) reported that hypertension was related to PTSD independent of depression. These two conditions have significant diagnostic overlap. The present study sought to conceptually replicate this work with a veteran sample, using Bayesian estimation to directly update past results, as well as examine symptom severity scores in relation to hypertension. METHOD This was a secondary analysis of data obtained from the United States-Veteran Microbiome Project. Lifetime diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder (MDD) were obtained from a structured clinical interview and hypertension diagnoses were extracted from electronic medical records. PTSD and depressive symptom severity were obtained from self-report measures. Logistic regressions with Bayesian estimation were used to estimate the associations between hypertension and (a) psychiatric diagnostic history and (b) symptom severity scores. RESULTS Compared with veterans without lifetime diagnoses of either disorder, the PTSD-only group was estimated to have a 29% increase in hypertension risk, and the PTSD + MDD group was estimated to have a 66% increase in hypertension risk. Additionally, higher levels of PTSD symptom severity were associated with a higher risk of hypertension. CONCLUSION PTSD diagnosis and symptom severity are uniquely associated with hypertension, independent of MDD or depressive symptom severity. These results support previous findings that PTSD might be a modifiable risk factor for the prevention and treatment of hypertension. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Reis
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Alexander M. Kaizer
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Adam R. Kinney
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Nazanin H. Bahraini
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Jeri E. Forster
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Lisa A. Brenner
- VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
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18
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Brickell TA, French LM, Varbedian NV, Sewell JM, Schiefelbein FC, Wright MM, Lange RT. Relationship satisfaction among spouse caregivers of service members and veterans with comorbid mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. FAMILY PROCESS 2022; 61:1525-1540. [PMID: 34859431 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study examined relationship satisfaction and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among spouse caregivers assisting service members and veterans (SMV) with comorbid uncomplicated mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Spouse caregivers (N = 205) completed the Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI), 12 HRQOL measures, and the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory 4th Edition (MPAI-4). T-scores were classified as "clinically elevated" using a cutoff of ≥60T. The sample was also classified into "Satisfied" (≥13.5, n = 113, 55.0%) or "Dissatisfied" (<13.5, n = 92, 44.0%) relationship categories. Using stepwise regression analysis, Anxiety, Family Disruption, Vigilance, Emotional Support, Feeling Trapped, and MPAI-4 Adjustment were identified as the strongest predictors of CSI total scores (p < 0.001), accounting for 41.6% of the variance. Squared semi-partial correlations revealed that 18.1% of the variance was shared across all six measures, with 7.8% to 1.5% of unique variance accounted for by each measure separately. When comparing the number of clinically elevated measures simultaneously, the Dissatisfied group consistently had a higher number of clinically elevated scores compared to the Satisfied group (e.g., 3-or-more clinically elevated scores: Dissatisfied = 40.2%, Satisfied = 8.8%, OR = 6.93, H = 0.76). Caring for a SMV with comorbid TBI and PTSD can have a profound impact on the spouse caregiver's HRQOL, relationship satisfaction, and family functioning. The findings from the current study continue to support the need for family involvement in the SMV's treatment plan, but more effort is needed to integrate behavioral health treatment that focuses on the family member's own issues into military TBI and PTSD systems of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracey A Brickell
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Louis M French
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicole V Varbedian
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Jessie M Sewell
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Faith C Schiefelbein
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Megan M Wright
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Rael T Lange
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Centre of Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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19
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Boersma-van Dam E, van de Schoot R, Engelhard IM, Van Loey NEE. Posttraumatic stress symptoms and interpersonal processes in burn survivors and their partners. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2022; 13:2151097. [PMID: 36867741 PMCID: PMC9731584 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2022.2151097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A burn event can elicit symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in survivors and their partners and may impact the way these couple members interact with each other. They may try to protect each other from further emotional distress by avoiding talking about the burn event, but they may also show concern towards each other.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate bidirectional relationships between survivor's and partner's PTSD symptoms and two interpersonal processes: partner-oriented 'self-regulation', which is avoidance-oriented, and 'expressed concern', which is approach-oriented.Method: In this longitudinal multi-centre study, 119 burn survivors and their partners participated. Measures of PTSD symptoms, self-regulation, and expressed concern were administered in the acute phase following the burns, and follow-ups took place up to 18 months postburn. Intra- and interpersonal effects were examined in a random intercept cross-lagged panel model. Exploratory effects of burn severity were also investigated.Results: Within individuals, survivor's expressed concern predicted later higher levels of survivor's PTSD symptoms. In their partners, self-regulation and PTSD symptoms reinforced each other in the early phase postburn. Between the two couple members, partner's expressed concern predicted later lower levels of survivor's PTSD symptoms. Exploratory regression analyses showed that burn severity moderated the effect of survivor's self-regulation on survivor's PTSD symptoms, indicating that self-regulation was continuously related to higher levels of PTSD symptoms over time within more severely burned survivors, but not in less severely burned survivors.Conclusion: PTSD symptoms and self-regulation reinforced each other in partners and possibly also in more severely burned survivors. Partner's expressed concern was related to lower levels of survivor's PTSD symptoms, whereas survivor's expressed concern was related to higher levels of survivor's PTSD symptoms. These findings emphasize the importance of screening for and monitoring PTSD symptoms in burn survivors and their partner and of encouraging couple's self-disclosure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Boersma-van Dam
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Beverwijk, Netherlands
| | - Rens van de Schoot
- Department of Methodology and Statistics, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Optentia Research Program, Faculty of Humanities, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
| | - Iris M Engelhard
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Nancy E E Van Loey
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Longitudinal Associations Among Service Members' PTSD Symptoms, Partner Accommodation, and Partner Distress. Behav Ther 2022; 53:1161-1174. [PMID: 36229114 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Romantic partners' accommodation of trauma survivors' posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (e.g., participating in avoidance and safety behaviors, not expressing one's thoughts and feelings) is a putative mechanism linking PTSD symptoms and partner distress, but this hypothesis has never been empirically tested. The current study investigated this proposed within-couple mediation process from service members' PTSD symptoms to partners' depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction through partner accommodation, as well as between-couple associations among these constructs and the possible moderating role of partners' conflict avoidance and helplessness (CAH) motivations for accommodating service members' PTSD symptoms. We examined these questions in 272 male service member/female civilian couples assessed four times over an 18-month period using the multiple-group version of the random intercept cross-lagged panel model. Within couples, service members' higher levels of PTSD symptoms at one time point significantly predicted partners being more accommodating at the next time point (βs = .14-.19), which, in turn, significantly predicted higher levels of partner depressive symptoms at the subsequent time point (βs = .09-.19) but did not predict partners' subsequent relationship satisfaction. At the between-couple level, partner accommodation was significantly positively associated with partners' depressive symptoms only among those endorsing high CAH motivations for accommodation (r = .50). In addition, accommodation was significantly negatively associated with partners' relationship satisfaction regardless of CAH motivation level (rs = -.43 to -.49). These findings are discussed in light of the potential for couple-based treatments for PTSD to enhance partner individual and relational well-being.
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Russin SE, Stein CH. The Aftermath of Trauma and Abuse and the Impact on Family: A Narrative Literature Review. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2022; 23:1288-1301. [PMID: 33653179 DOI: 10.1177/1524838021995990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The present narrative review examined quantitative and qualitative research on family members who support survivors of trauma or abuse. Studies included in the present review were found in peer-reviewed journal articles, available in English, published between 1980 and 2019, and focused specifically on the experiences of adult familial supporters of adult trauma and abuse survivors. A search of PsychInfo and Google Scholar identified 136 relevant articles, and analysis of their content generated the following categories: individual-level impacts (i.e., quality of psychological health, burden, secondary traumatic stress, quality of physical health, and positive impacts), interpersonal and environmental level impacts (i.e., quality of relationships with survivors, navigating environment, maltreatment and safety, and social impacts), and other experiences (i.e., social roles, needs, coping strategies, and sociocultural context). Findings indicate that the majority of existing studies examined the experiences of family members of adult survivors of military trauma. Results of the review suggest that family supporters of adult trauma and abuse survivors generally experience physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, social, safety, and relational impacts. Implications of review findings and directions for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Russin
- Department of Psychology, 1888Bowling Green State University, OH, USA
| | - Catherine H Stein
- Department of Psychology, 1888Bowling Green State University, OH, USA
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22
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Is Traumatic Brain Injury Severity in Service Members and Veterans Related to Health-Related Quality of Life in Their Caregivers? J Head Trauma Rehabil 2022; 37:338-349. [PMID: 35862894 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between service member/veteran (SM/V) traumatic brain injury (TBI) severity with caregiver health-related quality of life (HRQOL). SETTING Military treatment facility. PARTICIPANTS Caregivers (N = 316) of SM/Vs following a TBI divided into 2 groups based on SM/V TBI severity: (1) caregivers of SM/Vs following an uncomplicated mild TBI (UnMTBI Caregiver group, n = 246), and (2) caregivers of SM//Vs following a complicated mild, moderate, severe, or penetrating TBI (STBI Caregiver group, n = 70). The STBI Caregiver group was further divided into 2 subgroups: Parent (n = 21) versus Intimate Partner (n = 49). The UnMTBI Caregiver group consisted of intimate partners. DESIGN Prospective cohort. MAIN MEASURES Caregivers completed 15 HRQOL measures. RESULTS Using analysis of variance and chi-square analysis, the UnMTBI Caregiver group reported worse scores on 12 HRQOL measures and more clinically elevated scores for 6 of 15 comparisons than the STBI Caregiver group. The UnMTBI Caregiver group also reported worse scores on 10 HRQOL measures than intimate partners in the STBI Caregiver group and 5 measures than parents in the STBI Caregiver group. Parents reported worse scores on 3 measures than intimate partners in the STBI Caregiver group. The UnMTBI Caregiver group reported more clinically elevated scores for 7 of 15 comparisons than intimate partners in the STBI Caregiver group. CONCLUSION Intimate partner caregivers of an SM/V following a remote uncomplicated MTBI reported worse HRQOL than intimate partners and parent caregivers of an SM/V following a more severe TBI, mostly likely due to SM/V physical and mental health comorbidities. Interventions that focus on the SM/V's TBI and other comorbidities, the caregiver's behavioral health problems, and the relationship and family factors that interact with each other will likely have the most success in improving individual and family outcomes for military families.
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Avidor S, Zerach G, Solomon Z. Aging together in the aftermath of war: marital adjustment and subjective age of veterans and their spouses. Aging Ment Health 2022; 26:1479-1486. [PMID: 33896297 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1916877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Trauma has long-term effects on those directly exposed to it, but it also impacts those closest to them, particularly one's spouse, as the marital relationship is of central importance for late-life development. Furthermore, traumatic experiences have been shown to be involved in an acceleration of aging, whether through physical health, or via psychological pathways, through an older subjective age. The present work seeks to examine the mutual connections between marital adjustment and the psychological accelerated aging of both spouses among military veterans of the Israeli 1973 Yom Kippur War. METHOD Data from two assessments were drawn from a larger longitudinal study. In 2008 (T1) and again in 2015 (T2), 247 veterans and their wives were interviewed on their subjective age, marital adjustment, and PTSD symptoms. RESULTS An actor-partner interdependence model combined with an autoregressive cross-lagged model, controlling for T1 PTSD symptoms revealed that men's subjective age at T1 was associated with women's subjective age at T2, and women's subjective age at T1 was associated with men's subjective age at T2. Women's marital adjustment at T1 was associated with men's marital adjustment at T2 but not the other way around. CONCLUSION Spousal relationships are an important arena in the lives of older adult veterans. The present study contributes new knowledge regarding the paths that predict subjective age by taking account of the subjective age of one's spouse, as well as levels of marital adjustment. Insights regarding secondary traumatization, as well as gender differences, for the aging process are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Avidor
- Faculty of Social and Community Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Emek Hefer, Israel
| | - Gadi Zerach
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Psychology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Zahava Solomon
- I-Core Research Center for Mass Trauma, Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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24
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Bonfils KA, Tennity CL, Congedo BA, Dolowich BA, Hammer LA, Haas GL. Functional outcomes from psychotherapy for people with posttraumatic stress disorder: A meta-analysis. J Anxiety Disord 2022; 89:102576. [PMID: 35580437 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2022.102576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
People with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience a wide array of symptoms, often accompanied by significant functional and quality of life impairments. Evidence-based psychotherapies are effective for alleviating symptoms in this group, but functional outcomes following psychotherapy are understudied. This study aimed to synthesize existing work on functional outcomes of psychotherapy to conduct a meta-analytic investigation examining whether people with PTSD experience significant improvements in functioning and quality of life following a course of psychotherapy. A literature search was conducted for studies reporting results of randomized clinical trials of psychotherapies for people diagnosed with PTSD that included a functional or quality of life outcome measured at pre- and post-intervention. Both between-groups and within-groups analyses were conducted using a random effects model. Fifty-six independent samples were included. Results suggest that, on average, people with PTSD experience significant, moderate improvement in functional outcomes after a course of psychotherapy. Taken together, this meta-analysis represents a substantial advance in our understanding of functional outcomes of psychotherapy for people with PTSD. Findings suggest that psychotherapy is one vehicle through which functional outcomes may be improved for this group, though notably to a lesser degree than symptom improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey A Bonfils
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr., Hattiesburg, MS 39406, United States; VISN 4 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University Drive C, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, United States.
| | - Cassidy L Tennity
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr., Hattiesburg, MS 39406, United States.
| | - Benjamin A Congedo
- VISN 4 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University Drive C, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, United States.
| | - Benjamin A Dolowich
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr., Hattiesburg, MS 39406, United States.
| | - Lillian A Hammer
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr., Hattiesburg, MS 39406, United States.
| | - Gretchen L Haas
- VISN 4 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University Drive C, Pittsburgh, PA 15240, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States.
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25
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Jarnecke AM, Saraiya TC, Brown DG, Richardson J, Killeen T, Back SE. Examining the role of social support in treatment for co-occurring substance use disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Addict Behav Rep 2022; 15:100427. [PMID: 35480064 PMCID: PMC9036141 DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2022.100427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Social support may be a critical mechanism in the treatment of co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, no studies have examined how social support changes as a function of treatment or predicts treatment outcome in a Veteran population with co-occurring SUD and PTSD. Method The current study is a secondary analysis that examined social support over the course of treatment for co-occurring SUD and PTSD (N = 81). Analyses were conducted to examine if a) social support predicts change in substance use and PTSD symptoms, respectively, over the course of treatment and during follow-up, and b) substance use and PTSD symptoms, respectively, predicts change in social support over treatment and during follow-up. Results The findings revealed that between-person social support moderated decreases in substance use (B = -0.17, SE = 0.07, p = 0.017) and PTSD symptom severity (B = -0.12, SE = 0.05, p = 0.009) during treatment but not during follow-up. Within-person substance use and PTSD symptom severity predicted social support but substance use and PTSD symptoms did not moderate changes in social support during treatment or follow-up. Conclusions The findings highlight the critical role of social support during treatment in enhancing outcomes for individuals with co-occurring SUD and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber M Jarnecke
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Tanya C Saraiya
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Delisa G Brown
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - James Richardson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Therese Killeen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Sudie E Back
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, United States
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Brickell TA, French LM, Wright MM, Lange RT. Aggression in Military Members With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Is Associated With Intimate Partner Health-Related Quality of Life. Womens Health Issues 2022; 32:526-533. [PMID: 35643836 DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine the relationship between service member/veteran (SMV) aggression and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in their intimate partners. METHODS This prospective cohort study included 201 female intimate partner caregivers of post-9/11 male SMVs with a diagnosis of uncomplicated mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder from a military treatment facility. Caregivers completed 17 HRQOL measures and rated the level the SMV experiences problems with verbal or physical expressions of irritability, anger, or aggression on the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory, 4th edition. Caregivers were classified into three SMV Aggression groups: i) none or very mild (n = 53); ii) mild (n = 47); and iii) moderate or severe (n = 101). HRQOL scores were classified as clinically elevated using a cutoff of 60T or higher. RESULTS Using χ2 analysis, the moderate or severe group had a significantly higher proportion of clinically elevated scores on 15 HRQOL measures compared with the none or very mild group, and six measures compared with the mild group. The mild group had higher scores on two measures compared with the none or very mild group. Using analysis of covariance (and controlling for caregiver strain), the moderate or severe group had significantly higher scores on 11 HRQOL measures compared with the none or very mild group, and two measures compared with the mild group. The mild group had higher scores on five measures compared with the none or very mild group. CONCLUSIONS Many caregivers who report moderate to severe SMV aggression after a traumatic brain injury, report poor HRQOL beyond the strain of care provision. Traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder programs should screen for and treat SMV aggression, and attend to the health needs of their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracey A Brickell
- Department of Research, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Research, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Research, General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland.
| | - Louis M French
- Department of Research, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Research, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Megan M Wright
- Department of Research, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Research, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Research, General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Rael T Lange
- Department of Research, Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Research, National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Research, General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, Maryland; Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Brickell TA, Wright MM, Ferdosi H, French LM, Lange RT. Pain interference and health-related quality of life in caregivers of service members and veterans with traumatic brain injury and mental health comorbidity. Qual Life Res 2022; 31:3031-3039. [PMID: 35594013 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-022-03153-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine (1) the relationship between caregiver pain interference with caregiver health-related quality of life (HRQOL), caregiver age, and service member/veteran (SMV) functional ability, and (2) change in caregiver pain interference longitudinally over 5 years. METHOD Participants were 347 caregivers of SMVs diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Caregivers completed the SF-12v2 Health Survey Bodily Pain scale at an initial baseline evaluation and up to four annual follow-up evaluations. Caregivers were divided into three pain interference groups: High Pain Interference (n = 104), Neutral Pain Interference (n = 117), and Low Pain Interference (n = 126). Caregivers also completed 15 HRQOL measures and a measure of SMV functional ability. RESULTS The High Pain Interference group reported more clinically elevated scores on 13 measures compared to the Low Pain Interference group, and seven measures compared to the Neutral Pain Interference group. The Neutral Pain Interference group had more clinically elevated scores on three measures compared to the Low Pain Interference group. The High and Neutral Pain Interference groups were older than the Low Pain Interference group. Parent caregivers were older than intimate partner/sibling caregivers, but did not report worse pain interference. Caregiver age, and measures of Fatigue, Strain, Perceived Rejection, and Economic QOL were the strongest predictors of pain interference (p < .001), accounting for 28.2% of the variance. There was minimal change in Bodily Pain scores over five years. The interaction of time and age was not significant (X2 = 2.7, p = .61). CONCLUSION It is important to examine pain in the context of HRQOL in caregivers, regardless of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracey A Brickell
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA. .,National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA. .,Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA. .,General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| | - Megan M Wright
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Hamid Ferdosi
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Louis M French
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rael T Lange
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.,General Dynamics Information Technology, Silver Spring, MD, USA.,University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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He J, Hollander AC, Rahman S. Association between migration status and subsequent labour market marginalisation among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder: a Swedish nationwide register-based cohort study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2022; 57:1073-1083. [PMID: 35312827 PMCID: PMC9042996 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-022-02263-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The high prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among migrants in Europe is widely reported. Our research aimed to investigate the association between migration status and subsequent labour market marginalisation (LMM) events, i.e., long-term unemployment (LTU), long-term sickness absence (LTSA), and disability pension (DP) among individuals with PTSD, and to elucidate how the sociodemographic factors and the pre-existing health conditions influence such association. METHODS We established a cohort of 36,714 individuals born between 1960 and 1995, living in Sweden during 2004-2009, aged 19 years or above, with PTSD diagnosis during 2006-2009. Migration status, categorized as refugees, non-refugees, second-generation migrants, and Swedish-born with Swedish-born parents (reference group) was considered as exposure and LMM events as outcome. The cohort was followed from 01-Jan-2010 until LMM, death, or end of follow-up (31-Dec-2016). Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by Cox regression with a seven-year follow-up. RESULTS Refugees (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.86-2.30), and non-refugees (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.85-2.07) had almost doubled relative risk of long-term unemployment, compared with the Swedish-born. The hazards of long-term sickness absence were similar across the groups. Refugees (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.24-1.77), and non-refugees (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.30-1.56) also had elevated relative risk of disability pension, whereas second-generation migrants had moderately increased relative risks for all three labour market marginalisation events compared with the Swedish-born. CONCLUSION Among the individuals with PTSD, being a migrant increases the risk of LMM, refugees being the foremost among migrants. Further research may benefit from including more recent migrant population, pre-migration information and measuring PTSD clinical severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangchuan He
- Epidemiology of Psychiatric Conditions, Substance Use and Social Environment (EPiCSS), Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet (KI), Solnavägen 1E, 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna-Clara Hollander
- Epidemiology of Psychiatric Conditions, Substance Use and Social Environment (EPiCSS), Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet (KI), Solnavägen 1E, 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Syed Rahman
- Epidemiology of Psychiatric Conditions, Substance Use and Social Environment (EPiCSS), Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet (KI), Solnavägen 1E, 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
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Kolaja CA, Roenfeldt K, Armenta RF, Schuyler AC, Orman JA, Stander VA, LeardMann CA. Sexual Health Problems among Service Men: The Influence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2022; 59:413-425. [PMID: 33428452 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2020.1855622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Military operational stressors, such as combat exposure, may increase the risk of sexual health problems. This study examined factors associated with sexual health problems, and tested the mediating effect of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on the association between stressors (i.e., combat deployment and sexual assault) and sexual health problems among U.S. service men. Using multivariable logistic regression (n = 16,603) and Cox proportional hazards models (n = 15,330), we estimated the risk of self-reported sexual health difficulties and sexual dysfunction medical encounters, respectively. Mediation analyses examined the effect of probable PTSD as an intermediate factor between high combat deployment and sexual assault on sexual health problems. Approximately 9% endorsed sexual health difficulties and 8% had a sexual dysfunction. Risk factors for these sexual health problems included older age, lower education level, enlisted rank, disabling injury, certain medical conditions, and higher body mass index. Probable PTSD significantly mediated the associations between high combat with sexual health problems and sexual assault with sexual dysfunction. Additionally, high combat was directly associated with sexual health difficulties. These findings indicate a relationship between these stressors and sexual health problems which suggests that treatment options should be expanded, especially to include psychogenic sexual dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire A Kolaja
- Leidos, Reston, VA, USA
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center
| | - Kimberly Roenfeldt
- Leidos, Reston, VA, USA
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center
| | - Richard F Armenta
- Leidos, Reston, VA, USA
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center
- Department of Kinesiology, College of Education, Health, and Human Services, California State University
| | - Ashley C Schuyler
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, San Marcos
| | - Jean A Orman
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Texas Health at San Antonio, Texas
| | | | - Cynthia A LeardMann
- Leidos, Reston, VA, USA
- Deployment Health Research Department, Naval Health Research Center
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ICU bereaved surrogates' comorbid psychological-distress states and their associations with prolonged grief disorder. Crit Care 2022; 26:102. [PMID: 35410374 PMCID: PMC8996508 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-022-03981-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/objective Bereaved ICU family surrogates’ psychological distress, e.g., anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is usually examined independently, despite the well-recognized comorbidity of these symptoms. Furthermore, the few studies exploring impact of psychological distress on development of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) did not consider the dynamic impact of symptom evolution. We identified surrogates’ distinct patterns/states of comorbid psychological distress and their evolution over the first 3 months of bereavement and evaluated their associations with PGD at 6-month postloss. Methods A longitudinal observational study was conducted on 319 bereaved surrogates. Symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and PGD were measured by the anxiety and depression subscales of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Impact of Event Scale-Revised scale, and the PGD-13, respectively. Distinct psychological-distress states and their evolution were examined by latent transition analysis. Association between psychological-distress states and PGD symptoms was examined by logistic regression.
Results Three distinct comorbid psychological-distress states (prevalence) were initially identified: no distress (56.3%), severe-depressive/borderline-anxiety distress (30.5%), and severe-anxiety/depressive/PTSD distress (13.3%). Except for those in the stable no-distress state, surrogates tended to regress to states of less psychological distress at the subsequent assessment. The proportion of participants in each psychological-distress state changed to no distress (76.8%), severe-depressive/borderline-anxiety distress (18.6%), and severe-anxiety/depressive/PTSD distress (4.6%) at 3-month postloss. Surrogates in the severe-depressive/borderline-anxiety distress and severe-anxiety/depressive/PTSD-distress state at 3-month postloss were more likely to develop PGD at 6-month postloss (OR [95%] = 14.58 [1.48, 143.54] and 104.50 [10.45, 1044.66], respectively).
Conclusions A minority of family surrogates of ICU decedents suffered comorbid severe-depressive/borderline-anxiety distress and severe-anxiety/depressive/PTSD symptoms during early bereavement, but they were more likely to progress into PGD at 6-month postloss.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13054-022-03981-7.
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Knopp K, Wrape ER, McInnis R, Khalifian CE, Rashkovsky K, Glynn SM, Morland LA. Posttraumatic stress disorder and relationship functioning: Examining gender differences in treatment-seeking veteran couples. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:484-495. [PMID: 34800061 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are robustly associated with intimate relationship dysfunction among veterans, but most existing research has focused on male veterans and their female partners. Links between PTSD and relationship functioning may differ between female-veteran couples and male-veteran couples. The current study used actor-partner interdependence models (APIMs) to test the associations between PTSD symptoms (i.e., veteran self-report or significant others' collateral-report) and each partner's reports of six domains of relationship functioning, as well as whether these links were moderated by the gender composition of the couple. Data were from 197 mixed-gender couples (N = 394 individuals) who completed baseline assessments for a larger randomized controlled trial of a couple-based PTSD treatment. Significant others' collateral PTSD reports were associated with their own ratings of relationship satisfaction, negotiation, psychological aggression, sexual pleasure, and sexual desire frequency, |β|s = .19-.67, and with veterans' ratings of negotiation and sexual desire frequency, |β|s = .20-.48. In contrast, veterans' self-reported PTSD symptoms were only associated with their own ratings of psychological aggression, β = .16. Gender moderated the associations between significant others' collateral PTSD reports and five of the six outcome variables; findings from exploratory subgroup analyses suggested links between reported PTSD symptoms and relationship functioning were generally more maladaptive for male-veteran couples, whereas female veterans showed more neutral or even helpful impacts of higher partner-perceived PTSD symptoms. These findings have implications for clinicians treating relational impacts of PTSD and emphasize the need for further research with female-veteran couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Knopp
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Wrape
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Rachel McInnis
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Chandra E Khalifian
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Katerine Rashkovsky
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Shirley M Glynn
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System at West LA, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Leslie A Morland
- Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA.,National Center for PTSD, Pacific Islands Division, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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32
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K Blais R, K Zalta A, S Livingston W. Interpersonal Trauma and Sexual Function and Satisfaction: The Mediating Role of Negative Affect Among Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2022; 37:NP5517-NP5537. [PMID: 32990170 DOI: 10.1177/0886260520957693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Healthy sexual function among women service members/veterans (SM/Vs) is associated with higher quality of life, lower incidence and severity of mental health diagnoses, higher relationship satisfaction, and less frequent suicidal ideation. Although trauma exposure has been established as a predictor of poor sexual function and satisfaction in women SM/Vs, no study to date has examined whether specific trauma types, such as military sexual trauma (MST), increase risk for sexual issues. Moreover, the possible mechanisms of this association have not been explored. The current study examined whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptom clusters mediated the association of trauma type and sexual function and satisfaction in 426 trauma-exposed women SM/Vs. Two hundred seventy participants (63.4%) identified MST as their index trauma. Path analyses demonstrated that MST was related to poorer sexual function and lower satisfaction relative to the other traumas (χ2[28, N = 426] = 43.3, p = 0.03, CFI = 1.00, TLI = 0.99, and RMSEA = 0.04), and this association was mediated by higher non-somatic depressive symptoms and PTSD symptom clusters of anhedonia and negative alterations in cognition and mood (NACM). Causality cannot be inferred due to the cross-sectional nature of the data. However, our findings suggest that interventions aimed at decreasing sexual issues among female SM/Vs with MST should target depressogenic symptoms, whether the origin is depression or PTSD. Longitudinal research exploring the etiological processes that contribute to sexual dysfunction among those with MST is needed.
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Riviere LA, Sinclair RR. Validation and Reliability Estimation of the Brief Marital Satisfaction Screening Tool. CONTEMPORARY FAMILY THERAPY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10591-022-09638-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Mechanisms of the association between PTSD and sexual arousal and lubrication functioning among trauma-exposed female service members/veterans. J Affect Disord 2022; 301:352-359. [PMID: 34965403 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The presence of a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis or higher PTSD severity is associated with higher overall sexual dysfunction in female service members/veterans. However, the mechanisms linking PTSD to specific components of women's sexual arousal function, like lubrication and mental arousal, are unknown. METHODS We conducted a survey among 464 women who reported probable Criterion A exposure for PTSD. Path analysis examined (1) the association of PTSD with sexual arousal, (2) whether specific PTSD symptom clusters were uniquely associated with sexual arousal, and (3) whether this association is indirect, through the effects of higher depression severity and lower romantic relationship satisfaction. Arousal was operationalized to measure both mental (subjective arousal) and physical (lubrication) experiences. RESULTS Higher PTSD severity was associated with lower lubrication and arousal function. The association of PTSD severity with arousal was indirect, through lower romantic relationship satisfaction (estimate: -0.12; 95% CI: [-0.014, -0.007]) and higher depression (estimate: -0.08, 95% CI: [-0.012, -0.002]). The association of PTSD severity with lubrication was also indirect, but only through lower relationship satisfaction (estimate: -0.10, 95% CI: [-0.013, -0.006]). PTSD symptom clusters were not uniquely associated with arousal and lubrication through mediated pathways. LIMITATIONS Data were from a cross-sectional study using a convenience sample. Criterion A exposure could not be confirmed. CONCLUSIONS PTSD may lead to arousal and lubrication dysfunction by contributing to higher depression severity and strained romantic relationships. Interventions targeting reductions in depressive symptoms and bolstering relationship satisfaction may minimize the burden of PTSD on sexual arousal concerns.
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35
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Zerach G, Milevsky A. "Brothers in Arms": Secondary Traumatization and Sibling Relationship Quality Among Siblings of Combat Veterans. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2022; 37:1985-2010. [PMID: 32627630 DOI: 10.1177/0886260520936364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aversive impact of exposure to combat and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on family members has been examined mainly among veterans' partners and offspring. No study has examined secondary traumatization in veterans' siblings and the role of relationship quality in these links. The present study aimed to assess secondary PTSD symptoms (PTSS) and general distress among siblings of combat veterans, and the role of sibling relationship quality in the association between veterans' exposure to combat and PTSS and sibling secondary PTSS. A sample of 106 adult dyads of Israeli combat veterans and their closest in age siblings responded to self-report questionnaires in a cross-sectional study design. The rates of sibling secondary PTSS and general distress were relatively low. However, veterans' exposure to combat and PTSS were positively related to siblings' secondary PTSS. Importantly, veterans' PTSS mediated the association between veterans' exposure to combat and siblings' secondary PTSS, only among sibling dyads with high levels of warmth and low levels of conflict in their relationship. Furthermore, the inclusion of siblings general distress contributed to heightened sibling secondary PTSS, but only the warmth dimension moderated the link between veterans' PTSS and siblings' secondary PTSS. Findings suggest that veterans' PTSS is implicated in their siblings' secondary PTSS. Veterans' PTSS might also serve as a possible mechanism for the links between exposure to combat and siblings' secondary PTSS. Moreover, relationship quality with a sibling veteran might take a toll in the form of siblings' secondary PTSS following veteran military service.
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Rashkovsky K, Solano I, Khalifian C, Morland LA, Knopp K. Interpersonal trauma histories and relationship functioning among LGB Veteran couples seeking PTSD treatment. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 34:494-501. [PMID: 38536355 PMCID: PMC10013514 DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2021.2016308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) Veterans report greater emotional distress, trauma exposure, and PTSD rates than both LGB civilians and non-LGB Veterans. Traumatic experiences impact intimate relationships, potentially placing LGB Veterans at higher risk of relationship dysfunction secondary to trauma and PTSD. However, limited research has examined links between relationship functioning and trauma histories among couples with one or more LGB-identifying partners. In this exploratory study, participants include 21 couples from a larger treatment study comprising a PTSD-diagnosed Veteran and their significant other in which at least one partner identified as LGB. Variables included trauma experiences, PTSD symptom severity, and relationship satisfaction. A descriptive analysis revealed high relationship satisfaction despite high interpersonal trauma rates among both PTSD-diagnosed Veterans and their partners. Further, we found different patterns of relationship functioning depending on whether a participant had experienced sexual assault. These initial analyses present novel data on trauma in treatment-seeking LGB veteran couples and provide an important basis for future research on couple-based mental health treatments for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerine Rashkovsky
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
- University of California, Department of Psychiatry, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Ingrid Solano
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Chandra Khalifian
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
- University of California, Department of Psychiatry, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Leslie A. Morland
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
- University of California, Department of Psychiatry, San Diego, California, USA
- National Center for PTSD - Pacific Islands Division, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Kayla Knopp
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
- University of California, Department of Psychiatry, San Diego, California, USA
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Macdonald A, Fredman SJ, Taylor DJ, Pruiksma KE, Blount TH, Hall-Clark BN, Fina BA, Dondanville KA, Mintz J, Litz BT, Young-McCaughan S, Le Y, Jenkins AIC, Monson CM, Yarvis JS, Keane TM, Peterson AL. Secondary individual outcomes following multicouple group therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: An uncontrolled pilot study with military dyads. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:321-329. [PMID: 34800060 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has demonstrated efficacy for improving PTSD and comorbid symptoms and relationship adjustment. To enhance treatment efficiency and scalability, we developed a 2-day, abbreviated, intensive, multicouple group version of CBCT for PTSD (AIM-CBCT for PTSD). Prior work demonstrated that AIM-CBCT for PTSD wasassociated with reductions in PTSD and comorbid symptoms in a sample of 24 post-9/11 active duty military or veteran couples who received the treatment in a retreat format over a single weekend. The current study investigated secondary outcomes regarding trauma-related cognitions, psychosocial impairment, and insomnia. For trauma-related cognitions, reductions were nonsignificant and small at 1-month follow-up, ds = -0.14 to -0.32. However, by 3-month follow-up, there were significant, medium effect size reductions in total trauma-related cognitions, d = -0.68, and negative views of self and others, ds = -0.64 and -0.57, respectively, relative to baseline. There was also a nonsignificant, small-to-medium effect-size reduction in self-blame, d = -0.43, p = .053, by 3-month follow-up. For psychosocial impairment, there were significant and medium-to-large and large effect size reductions by 1- and 3-month follow-ups, ds = -0.73 and -0.81, respectively. There were nonsignificant, small effect size reductions in insomnia at both 1- and 3-month follow-ups relative to baseline, ds = -0.30 and -0.34, respectively. These findings suggest that AIM-CBCT for PTSD is associated with reductions in maladaptive posttraumatic cognitions and psychosocial impairment but that adjunctive interventions may be needed to address insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Macdonald
- Department of Psychology, The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Steffany J Fredman
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel J Taylor
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Kristi E Pruiksma
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Tabatha H Blount
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Brittany N Hall-Clark
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Brooke A Fina
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Katherine A Dondanville
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jim Mintz
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Brett T Litz
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stacey Young-McCaughan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Yunying Le
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | - August I C Jenkins
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey S Yarvis
- Department of Behavioral Health, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas, USA.,Jeffrey S. Yarvis is now at Department of Social Work, Texas A&M University - Central Texas, Killeen, Texas, USA
| | - Terence M Keane
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alan L Peterson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.,Research and Development Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas, USA.,Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Blain RC, Pukay-Martin ND, Martin CE, Dutton-Cox CE, Chard KM. Residential Cognitive Processing Therapy Decreases Suicidality by Reducing Perceived Burdensomeness in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. J Trauma Stress 2021; 34:1199-1208. [PMID: 33128808 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The interpersonal theory of suicide (Joiner, 2005) may help explain high suicide rates among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It suggests that suicidal ideation results from believing that one is a burden on others (i.e., perceived burdensomeness) and does not belong among family, friends, or other social groups (i.e., thwarted belongingness). Evidence-based PTSD treatments, including cognitive processing therapy (CPT), decrease suicidal ideation, potentially through changes in these two theory constructs. The current study examined whether (a) changes in PTSD severity and suicidal ideation and (b) changes in negative cognitions about self and suicidal ideation were indirectly associated through changes in perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness across PTSD treatment. Participants (N = 107) were veterans in a residential treatment program who were diagnosed with full or subthreshold PTSD and received CPT. Changes in PTSD symptom severity and negative cognitions about self predicted changes in suicidal ideation, B = 0.18, p < .001 and B = 0.50, p < .001, respectively. Changes in PTSD symptom severity and negative cognitions about self were indirectly associated with suicidal ideation through changes in perceived burdensomeness, B = 0.16, 95% CI [0.07, 0.25]; B = 0.27, 95% CI [0.05, 0.50], but not thwarted belongingness, B = -0.002; 95% CI [-0.06, 0.06]; B = 0.06, 95% CI [-0.12, 0.21] in separate models. These findings suggest that residential CPT may be uniquely equipped to decrease suicidality by restructuring negative beliefs, including perceptions of being a burden on others, and/or by alleviating the objective burden of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Blain
- Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Trauma Recovery Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Colleen E Martin
- Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Trauma Recovery Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Kathleen M Chard
- Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Trauma Recovery Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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39
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Mota N, Bolton SL, Enns MW, Afifi TO, El-Gabalawy R, Sommer JL, Pietrzak RH, Stein MB, Asmundson GJG, Sareen J. Course and Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in the Canadian Armed Forces: A Nationally Representative, 16-Year Follow-up Study: Cours et prédicteurs du trouble de stress post-traumatique dans les Forces armées canadiennes: une étude de suivi de 16 ans nationalement représentative. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2021; 66:982-995. [PMID: 33522288 PMCID: PMC8649830 DOI: 10.1177/0706743721989167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined baseline risk and protective predictors and interim correlates of the persistence/recurrence, remission, and onset of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a 16-year prospective, nationally representative sample of Canadian Forces members and veterans. METHODS The 2018 Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans Mental Health Follow-up Survey is a prospective study of 2,941 regular force service members and veterans who participated in the 2002 Canadian Community Health Survey on Mental Health and Wellbeing: Canadian Forces Supplement (n = 5,155; ages 15 to 64 years; response rate 68%). PTSD diagnoses in 2002 and 2018 were used to create 4 groups: (1) no lifetime, (2) remitted, (3) new onset, and (4) persistent/recurrent PTSD. Multinomial regressions were conducted to identify predictors of PTSD courses. RESULTS Female sex, being a junior noncommissioned member (vs. officer), and land (vs. air) operations in 2002 were associated with all PTSD courses relative to no lifetime PTSD (relative risk ratio [RRR] range: 1.28 to 3.65). After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, baseline predictors of all PTSD courses included lifetime mental disorder, history of mental health care utilization, all trauma type categories (deployment-associated, sexual, "other"), and the number of lifetime traumatic events (RRR range: 1.14 to 8.95). New ("since 2002") traumas, transitioning to veteran status, and alcohol dependence were mostly associated with the new onset and persistent/recurrent PTSD courses (RRR range: 1.79 to 4.31), while mental health care utilization and greater avoidance coping were associated with all PTSD courses (RRR range: 1.10 to 17.87). Protective factors for several PTSD courses at one or both time points included social support, social network size, and problem-focused coping (RRR range: 0.71 to 0.98). CONCLUSIONS This is the first population-based survey to examine the longitudinal course of PTSD in Canadian Forces members. Prevention and intervention programs focused on bolstering social support and active coping strategies as possible protective factors/correlates may help mitigate the development and persistence of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Mota
- Departments of Clinical Health Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Shay-Lee Bolton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Murray W. Enns
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Tracie O. Afifi
- Departments of Community Health Sciences and Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Renée El-Gabalawy
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, and Clinical Health Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jordana L. Sommer
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Robert H. Pietrzak
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Murray B. Stein
- Departments of Psychiatry and of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, and VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Gordon J. G. Asmundson
- Department of Psychology and Anxiety and Illness Behaviours Lab, University of Regina, Regina, Canada
| | - Jitender Sareen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Tang ST, Huang CC, Hu TH, Chou WC, Chuang LP, Chiang MC. Course and predictors of posttraumatic stress-related symptoms among family members of deceased ICU patients during the first year of bereavement. CRITICAL CARE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE CRITICAL CARE FORUM 2021; 25:282. [PMID: 34353352 PMCID: PMC8340476 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-021-03719-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background/Objective Death in intensive care units (ICUs) may increase bereaved family members’ risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, posttraumatic stress-related symptoms (hereafter as PTSD symptoms) and their precipitating factors were seldom examined among bereaved family members and primarily focused on associations between PTSD symptoms and patient/family characteristics. We aimed to investigate the course and predictors of clinically significant PTSD symptoms among family members of deceased ICU patients by focusing on modifiable quality indicators for end-of-life ICU care. Method In this longitudinal observational study, 319 family members of deceased ICU patients were consecutively recruited from medical ICUs from two Taiwanese medical centers. PTSD symptoms were assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 13 months post-loss using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Family satisfaction with end-of-life care in ICUs was assessed at 1 month post-loss. End-of-life care received in ICUs was documented over the patient’s ICU stay. Predictors for developing clinically significant PTSD symptoms (IES-R score ≥ 33) were identified by multivariate logistic regression with generalized estimating equation modeling. Results The prevalence of clinically significant PTSD symptoms decreased significantly over time (from 11.0% at 1 month to 1.6% at 13 months post-loss). Longer ICU stays (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.036 [1.006, 1.066]), financial insufficiency (3.166 [1.159, 8.647]), and reported use of pain medications (3.408 [1.230, 9.441]) by family members were associated with a higher likelihood of clinically significant PTSD symptoms among family members during bereavement. Stronger perceived social support (0.937 [0.911, 0.965]) and having a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order issued before the patient’s death (0.073 [0.011, 0.490]) were associated with a lower likelihood of clinically significant PTSD symptoms. No significant association was observed for family members’ satisfaction with end-of-life care (0.988 [0.944, 1.034]) or decision-making in ICUs (0.980 [0.944, 1.018]). Conclusions The likelihood of clinically significant PTSD symptoms among family members decreased significantly over the first bereavement year and was lower when a DNR order was issued before death. Enhancing social support and facilitating a DNR order may reduce the trauma of ICU death of a beloved for family members at risk for developing clinically significant PTSD symptoms. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13054-021-03719-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siew Tzuh Tang
- School of Nursing, Medical College, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, 333, Taiwan, R.O.C.. .,Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C.. .,Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C..
| | - Chung-Chi Huang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Respiratory Therapy, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Tsung-Hui Hu
- Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wen-Chi Chou
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Li-Pang Chuang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ming Chu Chiang
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C
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41
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Crow TM, Levy KN, Bradley B, Fani N, Powers A. The roles of attachment and emotion dysregulation in the association between childhood maltreatment and PTSD in an inner-city sample. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 118:105139. [PMID: 34091237 PMCID: PMC8292198 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most people will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime, but only a subset (<10%) will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). OBJECTIVE To facilitate prevention and intervention of PTSD, it is important to understand how risk and resilience factors interact with one another to explain individual differences in risk for PTSD, especially in underprivileged groups, who often experience greater burden of trauma and PTSD. METHOD The current study utilized multiple and moderated regression to examine the relation between childhood maltreatment and adulthood PTSD risk in the context of various attachment patterns and emotion dysregulation in a sample (n = 856) of mostly low-income, African American participants. RESULTS Moderation analysis indicated that the strongest association between self-reported childhood maltreatment and PTSD symptoms was manifest in participants reporting the highest levels of both attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance (b = 0.22, 95% CI [0.15, 0.29], p < .001), whereas, among those low on both these dimensions (i.e., more securely attached participants), there was no significant association between childhood maltreatment and current PTSD (b = 0.07, 95% CI [-0.01, 0.14], p = .07). Separately, multiple regression predicting current PTSD symptoms revealed an effect size for the two attachment dimensions similar to that of emotion dysregulation, while controlling for childhood maltreatment. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest more secure attachment may buffer against the deleterious effects of childhood maltreatment, and both attachment difficulties and emotion dysregulation serve as robust correlates of adulthood PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Crow
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, USA
| | - Kenneth N Levy
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, USA
| | - Bekh Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, USA; Atlanta VA Medical Center, Mental Health Services, USA
| | - Negar Fani
- Emory University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Abigail Powers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, USA.
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Mullet N, Fuss C, Lyddon L, Mondloch D, Neal S, Nelson Goff BS, Parson D, Ruhlmann LM. Finding Our New Normal: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study with U.S. Army Veterans and Their Spouses. JOURNAL OF COUPLE & RELATIONSHIP THERAPY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/15332691.2021.1945986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natira Mullet
- Department of Community, Family, and Addiction Services, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Caroline Fuss
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Laura Lyddon
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Danielle Mondloch
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Sarah Neal
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Briana S. Nelson Goff
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Danielle Parson
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Lauren M. Ruhlmann
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
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Bachem R, Levin Y, Zerach G, Cloitre M, Solomon Z. The interpersonal implications of PTSD and complex PTSD: The role of disturbances in self-organization. J Affect Disord 2021; 290:149-156. [PMID: 34000567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the aftermath of trauma not only the primary traumatized survivors' mental health is affected but often also their significant others. The current study explores the specific associations of ICD-11 symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and disturbances in self organization (DSO) for secondary traumatic stress and dyadic adjustment among both spouses. METHODS Male Israeli veterans and their wives (N = 216) were assessed 30 years after the war. Primary PTSD/DSO symptoms of the veterans and secondary posttraumatic stress symptoms (secondary PTSS)/DSO of the wives were assessed. Actor Partner Independence Modelling (APIM) evaluated the differential effects of PTSD and DSO for trauma transmission and dyadic adjustment. RESULTS While veterans' primary PTSD only related to secondary PTSS of the wives, the veterans' DSO predicted the wives' secondary PTSS as well as DSO. Moreover, the APIM revealed that the primary and secondary DSO of both partners were associated with dyadic adjustment while their PTSD symptoms were not. LIMITATIONS The cross-sectional data did not allow to identify directional or causal effects and DSO symptoms were not assessed with an ICD-specific instrument as such scales did not exist at the time of data collection. CONCLUSIONS ICD-11 DSO symptoms seem to drive the transmission of posttraumatic stress among spouses to a more significant extent than PTSD symptoms. As DSO are also strongly implicated in decreased dyadic adjustment, they are valuable targets for couple therapy after one spouse experienced severe trauma, both in order to prevent interpersonal trauma transfer as well as to enhance dyadic adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahel Bachem
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Yafit Levin
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gadi Zerach
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Psychology, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel
| | - Marylene Cloitre
- National Center for PTSD Dissemination and Training Division, CA United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Zahava Solomon
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel; I-Core Research Center for Mass Trauma, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Ponder WN. A Fireside Chat: Attachment Theory and the Deployed Dyadic Dialogue. JOURNAL OF VETERANS STUDIES 2021. [DOI: 10.21061/jvs.v7i1.236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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Allen E, Renshaw K, Fredman SJ, Le Y, Rhoades G, Markman H, Litz B. Associations Between Service Members' Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Partner Accommodation Over Time. J Trauma Stress 2021; 34:596-606. [PMID: 33372361 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
When service members manifest symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), intimate partners may engage in behaviors to accommodate their partners' experiences (e.g., helping service members avoid situations that could make them uncomfortable, not expressing own thoughts and feelings to minimize PTSD-related conflict), which may inadvertently serve to maintain or increase PTSD symptoms over time. In a sample of 274 male service member/female civilian couples, we evaluated hypothesized bidirectional pathways between self-reported service member PTSD symptoms and partner accommodation, assessed four times over an approximately 18-month period. A random-intercept cross-lagged panel model disaggregating between and within effects revealed that, on average, couples in which the service member had higher levels of total PTSD symptoms also scored higher in partner accommodation, between-couple correlation, r = .40. In addition, at time points when service members' PTSD symptoms were higher relative to their own average symptom level, their partners' level of accommodation was also higher than their personal average, within-couple correlation r = .22. Longitudinally, service member PTSD symptom scores higher than their personal average predicted subsequent increases in partner accommodation, β = .19, but not vice versa, β = .03. Overall, the findings indicate both stable and time-specific significant associations between service member PTSD symptoms and partner accommodation and suggest that higher levels of PTSD symptoms are a significant driver of later increases in partner accommodation. These findings add further support for treating PTSD in an interpersonal context to address the disorder and concomitant relational processes that can adversely impact individual and relational well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Allen
- Department of Psychology, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Keith Renshaw
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Steffany J Fredman
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yunying Le
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Galena Rhoades
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Howard Markman
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Brett Litz
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychological and Brain Sciences, VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Thompson-Hollands J, Burmeister LB, Rosen CS, O’Dougherty M, Erickson EPG, Meis LA. Veterans with poor PTSD treatment adherence: Exploring their loved ones' experience of PTSD and understanding of PTSD treatment. Psychol Serv 2021; 18:216-226. [PMID: 31436444 PMCID: PMC7035146 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Trauma-focused psychotherapies such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure (PE) are some of the most effective treatments available for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These treatments have been widely disseminated and promoted throughout the VA Health care System. However, adherence to and completion of these protocols among veterans is often poor, resulting in diminished impact. "Support persons" (SPs) such as relatives and close friends may provide a source of emotional or practical support in treatment, but little is known about how SPs are involved in or exposed to treatment principles and activities. The primary goal of the current research was to examine the experience of SPs of veterans who had poor adherence to treatment. We were interested in SPs' knowledge about the treatment, their level of involvement in treatment activities or sessions, and their potential interest in more participation or education. Qualitative analyses were used to examine data collected from interviews with 19 SPs of veterans who had an unsuccessful course of CPT or PE. Results indicated generally very low levels of knowledge and treatment participation. However, among most SPs there was substantial interest in the possibility of more treatment involvement, particularly in order to receive guidance from the clinician about how to respond to the veteran's symptoms. We suggest that it is possible and desirable to incorporate loved ones more formally into such protocols. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Thompson-Hollands
- National Center for PTSD, Behavioral Science Division
- VA Boston Healthcare System
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
| | | | - Craig S. Rosen
- National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care
| | | | | | - Laura A. Meis
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research
- University of Minnesota, Medical School, Department of Medicine
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Lu B, Zeng W, Li Z, Wen J. Risk factors of post-traumatic stress disorder 10 years after Wenchuan earthquake: a population-based case-control study. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2021; 30:e25. [PMID: 33729117 PMCID: PMC8061289 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796021000123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in the hard-hit areas 10 years after the Wenchuan earthquake, and explore the risk factors of long-term PTSD among Wenchuan earthquake survivors. METHODS A matched case-control study was conducted. The involving participants were from the hard-hit areas 10 years after the Wenchuan earthquake. The collected information includes demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, behaviour habits, earthquake exposure, perceived social support, physical health and mental health. Mental health status was measured using the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C). Respondents with PCL-C score ⩾38 were classified as cases, and then the cases and controls were matched based on age (±3 years) and community location according to a ratio of 1:3. RESULTS We obtained 86 cases and 258 controls. After controlling for confounding factors, it was found that lower income (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.16-5.03), chronic diseases (OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.31-6.88) and death of immediate families in the earthquake (OR 7.30; 95% CI 2.36-22.57) were significantly associated with long-term PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSION Even 10 years after the Wenchuan earthquake, the survivors in the hard-hit areas still suffered from severe mental trauma. Low income, chronic diseases and death of immediate families in the earthquakes are significantly associated with long-term PTSD symptoms. Interventions by local governments and health institutions to address these risk factors should be undertaken to promote the health of survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqing Lu
- Institute of Hospital Management, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu610041, China
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Wenqi Zeng
- Institute of Hospital Management, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Zhuyue Li
- West China Hospital/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu610041, China
| | - Jin Wen
- Institute of Hospital Management, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu610041, China
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Walter KH, LeardMann CA, Carballo CE, McMaster HS, Donoho CJ, Stander VA. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Clusters in Service Members Predict New-Onset Depression Among Military Spouses. J Trauma Stress 2021; 34:229-240. [PMID: 32885510 PMCID: PMC7984456 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought increased attention to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among service members and, more recently, its impact on spouses. Existing research has demonstrated that PTSD among service members is associated with depression among military spouses. In the current study, we extended these findings by using data from service member-spouse dyads enrolled in the Millennium Cohort Family Study for which the service member had evidence of PTSD (n = 563). Prospective analyses identified the association between PTSD symptom clusters reported by the service member and new-onset depression among military spouses. Over the 3-year study period, 14.4% of these military spouses met the criteria for new-onset depression. In adjusted models, service member ratings of symptoms in the effortful avoidance cluster, odds ratio (OR) = 1.61, 95% CI [1.03, 2.50], predicted an increased risk of new-onset depression among military spouses, whereas reexperiencing symptoms, adjusted OR = 0.57; 95% CI [0.32, 1.01], were marginally protective. These findings suggest that PTSD symptom clusters in service members differentially predict new-onset depression in military spouses, which has implications for treatment provision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen H. Walter
- Health and Behavioral Sciences DepartmentNaval Health Research CenterSan DiegoCA
| | - Cynthia A. LeardMann
- LeidosRestonVA,Deployment Health DepartmentNaval Health Research CenterSan DiegoCA
| | - Carlos E. Carballo
- LeidosRestonVA,Deployment Health DepartmentNaval Health Research CenterSan DiegoCA
| | - Hope Seib McMaster
- LeidosRestonVA,Deployment Health DepartmentNaval Health Research CenterSan DiegoCA
| | - Carrie J. Donoho
- Department of PsychiatryUniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesdaMaryland
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Candura SM, Pettenuzzo E, Negri C, Gallozzi A, Scafa F. Work-related post-traumatic stress disorder: report of five cases. INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 2020; 58:565-572. [PMID: 32655085 PMCID: PMC7708739 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2020-0079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may arise after events involving a risk to physical integrity or to life, one's own or that of others. It is characterized by intrusive symptoms, avoidance behaviors, and hyper-excitability. Outside certain categories (e.g., military and police), the syndrome is rarely described in the occupational setting. We report here five unusual cases of work-related PTSD, diagnosed with an interdisciplinary protocol (occupational health visit, psychiatric interview, psychological counselling and testing): (1) a 51-yr-old woman who had undergone three armed robbery attempts while working in a peripheral post office; (2) a 53-yr-old maintenance workman who had suffered serious burns on the job; (3) a 33-yr-old beauty center receptionist after sexual harassment and stalking by her male employer; (4) a 57-yr-old male psychiatrist assaulted by a psychotic outpatient; (5) a 40-yr-old woman, sales manager in a shoe store, after physical aggression by a thief. All patients required psychiatric help and pharmacological treatment, with difficulty of varying degrees in resuming work. We conclude that PTSD can develop even in professional categories generally considered to be at low risk. In such cases, a correct interdisciplinary diagnostic approach is fundamental for addressing therapy and for medico-legal actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano M Candura
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Institute of Pavia, Italy
| | - Emanuela Pettenuzzo
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Negri
- Psychiatry Service, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Institute of Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessia Gallozzi
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Scafa
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Institute of Pavia, Italy
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50
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Allen E, Fredman S, Rhoades G, Markman H, Loew B, Stanley S. Male Service Members' and Civilian Wives' Perceptions of Partner Connection Regarding Deployment and PTSD Symptoms. COUPLE & FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 9:206-218. [PMID: 34221695 PMCID: PMC8248745 DOI: 10.1037/cfp0000151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In general, a sense of understanding and connection is an important aspect of marital relationships. In the context of military couples in which a service member may have symptoms of PTSD, spouses' understanding of the nature and causes of service member PTSD symptoms may be protective for both partners' marital satisfaction. However, partners may vary in the degree to which they understand and connect around (1) historical experiences of combat and deployment, versus understanding and connecting around (2) any ongoing manifestation of PTSD symptoms post deployment. In a sample of 58 male Army service members and their civilian wives drawn from a larger study of military couple functioning, we found that a measure of "Combat/Deployment connection" and a measure of "PTSD connection" were strongly correlated with each other yet not isomorphic. Both Combat/Deployment connection and PTSD connection had unique predictive effects for marital satisfaction. Both husbands and wives reported higher levels of PTSD connection relative to Combat/Deployment connection. At low or average levels of Combat/Deployment connection, higher levels of PTSD symptoms were associated with lower levels of marital satisfaction, whereas at high levels of Combat/Deployment connection this association was no longer significant. No such moderation effects were found for PTSD connection. The utility of distinguishing these two domains of potential connection for military couples is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Steffany Fredman
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University
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