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Ahmead M, Abu Turki M, Fawadleh L. The prevalence of PTSD and coping strategies among Palestinian mental health professionals during political violence and wartime. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1396228. [PMID: 38911708 PMCID: PMC11190315 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1396228] [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: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In times of war, mental health professionals are at an increased risk of developing psychological problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The effects of conflicts or wars on mental health professionals in Palestine and their coping methods of dealing with these challenges remain unknown. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of PTSD symptoms and strategies for coping among mental health professionals in Palestine, in light of the ongoing Gaza war and political violence. Methods The study utilized a cross-sectional research design. Self-reported questionnaires, including the PCL-5 and Brief COPE scales, were used to gather data. The relationship between the research variables and PTSD symptoms was investigated using frequencies, percentages, bivariate analysis, Pearson correlation, and Pearson's chi-square test. Results A total of 514 participants were recruited, with an estimated prevalence of PTSD of 38.7%. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis revealed that having a prior history of trauma and feeling disabled or unable to deal with your patients during the current Gaza war and Israeli-Palestinian political violence increases the likelihood of developing PTSD symptoms. In addition, using venting, self-blame, and behavioral disengagement as coping strategies increases the likelihood of developing symptoms of PTSD. Moreover, using acceptance and substance use as coping strategies reduces the risk of developing PTSD symptoms. Conclusion The findings revealed a high prevalence of PTSD symptoms among mental health professionals during wartime and political violence. As a result, mental health professionals need immediate assistance in enhancing their mental wellbeing through supervision, psychotherapy, and comprehensive and continuous training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Ahmead
- Faculty of Public Health, Al Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
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Crombie KM, Adams TG, Dunsmoor JE, Greenwood BN, Smits JA, Nemeroff CB, Cisler JM. Aerobic exercise in the treatment of PTSD: An examination of preclinical and clinical laboratory findings, potential mechanisms, clinical implications, and future directions. J Anxiety Disord 2023; 94:102680. [PMID: 36773486 PMCID: PMC10084922 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with heightened emotional responding, avoidance of trauma related stimuli, and physical health concerns (e.g., metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease). Existing treatments such as exposure-based therapies (e.g., prolonged exposure) aim to reduce anxiety symptoms triggered by trauma reminders, and are hypothesized to work via mechanisms of extinction learning. However, these conventional gold standard psychotherapies do not address physical health concerns frequently presented in PTSD. In addition to widely documented physical and mental health benefits of exercise, emerging preclinical and clinical evidence supports the hypothesis that precisely timed administration of aerobic exercise can enhance the consolidation and subsequent recall of fear extinction learning. These findings suggest that aerobic exercise may be a promising adjunctive strategy for simultaneously improving physical health while enhancing the effects of exposure therapies, which is desirable given the suboptimal efficacy and remission rates. Accordingly, this review 1) encompasses an overview of preclinical and clinical exercise and fear conditioning studies which form the basis for this claim; 2) discusses several plausible mechanisms for enhanced consolidation of fear extinction memories following exercise, and 3) provides suggestions for future research that could advance the understanding of the potential importance of incorporating exercise into the treatment of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Crombie
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America.
| | - Tom G Adams
- University of Kentucky, Department of Psychology, 105 Kastle Hill, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, United States of America; Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 300 George St., New Haven, CT 06511, United States of America
| | - Joseph E Dunsmoor
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America
| | - Benjamin N Greenwood
- University of Colorado Denver, Department of Psychology, Campus Box 173, PO Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217-3364, United States of America
| | - Jasper A Smits
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, 108 E Dean Keeton St., Austin, TX 78712, United States of America
| | - Charles B Nemeroff
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America
| | - Josh M Cisler
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America
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