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Ogle CM, Harmon-Darrow C, Fedina L, Nichols D, Mulford CF, Backes BL. Operational Definitions of Poly-Victimization: A Scoping Review. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2024; 25:3360-3376. [PMID: 38655856 DOI: 10.1177/15248380241246522] [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: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Throughout the last two decades, research on poly-victimization (PV) has evolved from examinations of a core set of past-year victimization types in youth samples to investigations of a broad range of victimization types experienced during variable time intervals in diverse samples of varying ages. As the concept of PV expands, greater clarity regarding the definition and measurement of PV is needed to advance understanding of its risk and protective factors as well as its associated outcomes. This scoping review aimed to (a) identify approaches used to operationally define and measure PV across studies and (b) synthesize empirical findings concerning risk factors and outcomes associated with PV. A systematic search of peer-reviewed research published before 2022 across 12 databases yielded 98 studies that met inclusion criteria. Study characteristics including the research design, sample type, victimization timeframe, operational definition(s) of PV, measurement of PV, analytic methods, and key findings were synthesized across studies. Findings indicated that the majority of reviewed studies were cross-sectional investigations that utilized categorical measures of lifetime PV in samples of youth. Results also demonstrated that PV is robustly associated with a broad range of predictors, including mental health symptoms and diagnoses as well as family- and community-level factors. PV is also associated with numerous adverse outcomes including depression, anxiety, suicidality, substance use, and delinquency across diverse study types and populations. Future research that examines the conditional effects of PV is needed to identify subgroups of individuals at higher risk of adverse outcomes following PV and modifiable targets for interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christin M Ogle
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Carrie F Mulford
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Russo LN, Arreola J, Montiel G, Torres G, Leal F, Guerra N, Borelli JL. Examining Interpersonal Traumas Across Low Income Latinx Mother-Youth Dyads: Associations Between Maternal Child Abuse Exposure and Racial Discrimination with Mother and Youth Psychopathology. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2024; 55:1176-1189. [PMID: 36534303 PMCID: PMC11362375 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-022-01483-9] [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: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Child abuse has intergenerational consequences for psychopathology, however, there remains a paucity of research regarding how these experiences affect Latinx families, particularly those at risk for additional negative life events, such as racial discrimination. This study aims to contribute to this gap in the literature by examining the impact maternal child abuse exposure has on youth and maternal psychopathology, as well as whether these associations are moderated by racial discrimination, in a sample of 224 Latinx mother-youth dyads. Hierarchical regressions revealed small but significant maternal child abuse exposure x racial discrimination interactions for youth depression and anxiety, but not maternal depression or anxiety, which were solely positively associated with maternal child abuse exposure. Findings highlight the multifarious, and at times convergent, nature of trauma and oppression among Latinx families, as well as the impact across generations. Future work is needed to further elucidate developmental pathways of intergenerational trauma in understudied populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyric N Russo
- University of California, 4201 Social and Behavioral Sciences Gateway, 92697, Irvine, CA, United States.
| | - Jose Arreola
- University of California, 4201 Social and Behavioral Sciences Gateway, 92697, Irvine, CA, United States
| | | | - Gina Torres
- Latino Health Access, Santa Ana, CA, United States
| | | | - Nancy Guerra
- University of California, 4201 Social and Behavioral Sciences Gateway, 92697, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Jessica L Borelli
- University of California, 4201 Social and Behavioral Sciences Gateway, 92697, Irvine, CA, United States.
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3
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Obenauf C, Owens GP, DeHart S. Medically unexplained symptoms and experiences with healthcare among emerging adults exposed to multiple types of potentially traumatic events. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0310335. [PMID: 39250482 PMCID: PMC11383226 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Experiencing multiple types of traumatic events can increase the risk of developing somatic and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS), or somatic symptoms that lack a distinct medical explanation, often coexist with PTSS in emerging adults and may be due to common underlying mechanisms. Coping strategies have been associated with PTSS, but have not been studied in trauma-exposed individuals with MUS. The current study examined the relationship between the number of types of potentially traumatic events experienced and MUS among emerging adults, considering the influence of PTSS and engagement and disengagement coping. A sample of 363 emerging adults (Mean = 18.91) completed self-report measures of trauma history, PTSS, MUS, experiences with healthcare providers, and coping strategies. Dissatisfaction with healthcare providers was reported by 11.3% of participants reporting MUS, with over half (52.8%) feeling their concerns were dismissed. Hierarchical linear regression showed that the number of types of traumatic events experienced did not predict MUS after accounting for PTSS. Moderation hypotheses linking traumatic events and coping strategies were not supported. Results suggest that PTSS explains the relationship between exposure to different traumatic events and MUS. Findings may have diagnostic and treatment implications for healthcare providers working with emerging adults who have experienced trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Obenauf
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
| | - Gina P Owens
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
| | - Sam DeHart
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States of America
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McGuire A, Singh M, Jackson Y. Let it go, let it go: Stop measuring child maltreatment as a binary yes/no. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 155:106994. [PMID: 39154601 PMCID: PMC11383741 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106994] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Numerous methods are used in the measurement of child maltreatment (CM) exposure. As a science, it is necessary that the field of CM research evaluate its measurement approaches periodically to ensure that the common approaches are the best approaches. A prominent method for measuring CM in research as a predictor variable is to conceptualize CM as a two-level, yes/no binary variable (e.g., 0 = No CM exposure, 1 = CM exposure). While there is no consensus on what method is the best approach for measuring CM, empirical evidence suggests that the binary measurement approach to CM has significant limitations. The current paper sought to progress the field of CM and trauma research forward by reviewing several lines of research demonstrating why the use of a binary yes/no CM measurement approach is problematic. As evidence for why a binary measurement of CM should be halted, this paper reviews research on: why the characteristics or details of CM exposure matter, risk of CM "contamination," and CM's relation with environmental or systemic factors. The ethical and clinical implications of a CM binary measurement approach are also discussed. Several recommendations for the field are provided on how researchers can improve the measurement of CM and ensure accurate and replicable studies are being published.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austen McGuire
- National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
| | - M Singh
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Dole Human Development Building, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Yo Jackson
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Chenji S, Sander B, Grummisch JA, Gordon JL. Biopsychosocial factors intersecting with weekly sleep difficulties in the menopause transition. Maturitas 2024; 189:108111. [PMID: 39241486 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2024.108111] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sleep difficulties are common in the menopause transition and increase risk for a variety of physical and psychological problems. The current study investigated potential interactions between psychosocial variables and within-person changes in ovarian hormones in predicting perimenopausal sleep problems as well as the potential interactions between poor sleep and psychosocial factors in predicting worsened mood, affect, and attention. STUDY DESIGN The sample included 101 perimenopausal individuals. Participants completed 12 weekly assessments of self-reported sleep outcomes, depressive mood and affect, and attention function, and of estrone glucuronide (E1G) and pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG) levels (urinary metabolites of estradiol and progesterone, respectively); they also had 24-h tracking of vasomotor symptoms. Other psychosocial variables such as trauma history and stressful life events were assessed at baseline. RESULTS A history of depression, baseline depressive symptoms, trait anxiety, and more severe and bothersome vasomotor symptoms predicted worsened sleep outcomes. Recent stressful life events, trauma history, and person-centred E1G and PdG changes did not predict sleep outcomes. However, there was an interaction whereby person-centred E1G decreases predicted lower sleep efficiency in those with higher baseline depressive symptoms. Higher baseline depression and trauma history also amplified the effect of vasomotor symptoms on sleep outcomes. In evaluating the effect of poor sleep on psychological and cognitive outcomes, stressful life events emerged as a moderating factor. Finally, trauma history and poor sleep interacted to predict worsened attention function. CONCLUSIONS The current study suggests that certain individuals may be at greater risk of perimenopausal sleep problems and the resulting negative effects on mood and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Chenji
- Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Canada
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Jones AC, Badour CL. Advancing the Measurement of Trauma-Related Shame Among Women With Histories of Interpersonal Trauma. Violence Against Women 2024; 30:2697-2720. [PMID: 36938626 DOI: 10.1177/10778012231163575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Shame is a predominant emotion for many interpersonal trauma (IPT) survivors and is associated with more severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Measurement challenges have led to difficulties in understanding the impact of trauma-related shame. The Trauma-Related Shame Inventory (TRSI) was developed to address this limitation, yet additional psychometric support is needed. The present study evaluated and provided psychometric support for the TRSI among women with IPT histories, although recommendations for improvement are discussed. The impact of trauma-related shame, relative to trait shame and trauma-related guilt, on PTSD symptoms was also studied, with results suggesting that trauma-related shame had the strongest association.
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Kerry N, White KC, O’Brien ML, Perry LM, Clifton JDW. Despite popular intuition, positive world beliefs poorly reflect several objective indicators of privilege, including wealth, health, sex, and neighborhood safety. J Pers 2024; 92:1129-1142. [PMID: 37614186 PMCID: PMC10988650 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We tested whether generalized beliefs that the world is safe, abundant, pleasurable, and progressing (termed "primal world beliefs") are associated with several objective measures of privilege. METHODS Three studies (N = 16,547) tested multiple relationships between indicators of privilege-including socioeconomic status, health, sex, and neighborhood safety-and relevant world beliefs, as well as researchers and laypeople's expectations of these relationships. Samples were mostly from the USA and included general population samples (Study 2) as well as focused samples of academic researchers (Study 1) and people who had experienced serious illness or trauma (Study 3). RESULTS Studies 1-2 found mostly negligible relationships between world beliefs and indicators of privilege, which were invariably lower than researcher predictions (e.g., instead of the expected r = 0.33, neighborhood affluence correlated with Abundant world belief at r = 0.01). Study 3 found that people who had experienced serious illness (cancer, cystic fibrosis) only showed modest differences in beliefs from controls. CONCLUSIONS While results do not preclude that some individuals' beliefs were meaningfully affected by life events, they imply that such changes are smaller or less uniform than widely believed and that knowing a person's demographic background may tell us relatively little about their beliefs (and vice versa).
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Ho JJ, Matinrad H, Arora A, Rau ME, Sevick A, Brown C. Fast Facts and Concepts #487 Trauma-Informed Care Part 1: Definitions and Screening. J Palliat Med 2024. [PMID: 39075041 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2024.0245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
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Henderson A, Jewell T, Huang X, Simpson A. Personal trauma history and secondary traumatic stress in mental health professionals: A systematic review. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs 2024. [PMID: 38972012 DOI: 10.1111/jpm.13082] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Caring for those who have been traumatized can place mental health professionals at risk of secondary traumatic stress, particularly in those with their own experience of personal trauma. AIM To identify the prevalence of personal trauma history and secondary traumatic stress in mental health professionals and whether there is an association between these two variables in mental health professionals. METHOD We preregistered the review with PROSPERO (CRD42022322939) and followed PRISMA guidelines. Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science and CINHAL were searched up until 17th August 2023. Articles were included if they assessed both personal trauma history and secondary traumatic stress in mental health professionals. Data on the prevalence and association between these variables were extracted. Quality assessment of included studies was conducted using an adapted form of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS A total of 23 studies were included. Prevalence of personal trauma history ranged from 19%-81%, secondary traumatic stress ranged from 19% to 70%. Eighteen studies reported on the association between personal trauma history and secondary traumatic stress, with 14 out of 18 studies finding a statistically significant positive relationship between these variables. The majority of studies were of fair methodological quality. DISCUSSION Mental health professionals with a personal history of trauma are at heightened risk of suffering from secondary traumatic stress. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Targeted support should be provided to professionals to prevent and/or address secondary traumatic stress in the workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Henderson
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
- Children & Adolescent Mental Health, Central North West London NHS, London, UK
| | - Tom Jewell
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, David Goldberg Building, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Xia Huang
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, David Goldberg Building, London, UK
- Mental Health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Alan Simpson
- Care in Long Term Conditions Research Division, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery & Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
- Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, Neuroscience King's College London, London, UK
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McFadden D, Davidson G, Butler M. Social support and trauma experiences of imprisoned men in Northern Ireland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LAW AND PSYCHIATRY 2024; 95:102005. [PMID: 38964262 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2024.102005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social Support has multiple benefits for health and mental wellbeing. Its existence, and the extent to which it can be beneficial, is dependent upon the context in which it is provided, and the recipients' view of it. Social support has long been established as a 'buffer' to the negative impact of stressful life experiences. Trauma can negatively impact upon social support, reducing the extent of social networks and ability of some trauma experienced individuals to sustain extensive social support networks. However, some trauma experiences can also strengthen social relationships. Imprisoned men are disproportionately likely to have experienced a traumatic event when compared with the general population. Past research has found that traumatic events can lead to a decrease in social support among imprisoned men but more research is needed to understand the variations in perceived social support experienced by imprisoned men and to determine how different types of trauma may be related to perceived social support. METHOD A cross-sectional survey of 384 adult men detained in the Northern Ireland Prison Service was conducted between November 2022 and January 2023. The survey collected data on the men's demographics, mental health, substance use, and criminal history. Respondents were also asked to complete a Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ) and the Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Regression analysis was then used to investigate the possible associations between individual characteristics, different types of trauma experiences and perceived social support. RESULTS Most types of trauma experiences were not associated with lower levels of perceived social support. Only those who had experienced crime related trauma were more likely to report lower levels of social support. Older imprisoned men and those using substances were more likely to report lower levels of perceived social support, while those who had served a sentence of less than one year reported higher levels of perceived social support. DISCUSSION Crime related trauma experiences were found to be associated with lower levels of perceived social support. There were no significant findings around perceived social support and any of the other trauma types i.e. physical, sexual and general disaster experiences. Trauma informed policy responses should be cognisant of this, as those with experiences of crime related victimisation are less likely to have the social support needed to buffer against future trauma experiences. The findings demonstrate that some individuals experience lower levels of perceived social support and several factors are associated with this including age, time served and substance use history. This will potentially impact upon them during release and affect their reintegration into society. Specific policies aimed at these groups should be considered to prevent them from experiencing a lack of support and any accompanying adversity upon release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel McFadden
- School of Social Sciences, Education & Social Work, 6. College Park, Queen's University Belfast, UK.
| | - Gavin Davidson
- School of Social Sciences, Education & Social Work, 6. College Park, Queen's University Belfast, UK
| | - Michelle Butler
- School of Social Sciences, Education & Social Work, 6. College Park, Queen's University Belfast, UK
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Moran V, Oberle A, Israel H. Evaluating the Efficiency of Survey Collection Methods to Trauma Patients. J Nurs Care Qual 2024; 39:246-251. [PMID: 38198651 DOI: 10.1097/ncq.0000000000000761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traumatic injury survivors often experience negative health consequences, impacting recovery. No studies have assessed the feasibility of evaluating the resiliency of hospitalized trauma patients using the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the most efficient method to collect survey responses on the CD-RISC-10. METHODS This cross-sectional study used a convenience sample of admitted patients with traumatic injury. Patients were randomized to complete the CD-RISC-10 using pen and paper, tablet, or workstation on wheels. RESULTS Of the 161 patient surveys, the tablet-based survey took the shortest time to complete (2 minutes, 21 seconds), and the paper survey resulted in the lowest percentage of missed questions (0.5%). Trauma patients reported high levels of resiliency. CONCLUSION The CD-RISC-10 can be easily administered to trauma patients. Clinicians should balance efficiency and patient preferences when deciding on a survey collection method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki Moran
- SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, St Louis, Missouri (Dr Moran); Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri (Dr Moran); Oberle Institute, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri (Mr Oberle); and Departments of Surgery-School of Medicine (Mr Oberle) and Orthopaedic Surgery (Dr Israel), Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri
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Monti E, D’Andrea W, Carroll LM, Norton K, Miron N, Resto O, Toscano K, Williams J, Harris D, Irene L, Maass A. Can perpetrators discern survivors from voice? Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2358681. [PMID: 38837122 PMCID: PMC11188952 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2358681] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Research has shown that potential perpetrators and individuals high in psychopathic traits tend to body language cues to target a potential new victim. However, whether targeting occurs also by tending to vocal cues has not been examined. Thus, the role of voice in interpersonal violence merits investigation.Objective: In two studies, we examined whether perpetrators could differentiate female speakers with and without sexual and physical assault histories (presented as rating the degree of 'vulnerability' to victimization).Methods: Two samples of male listeners (sample one N = 105, sample two, N = 109) participated. Each sample rated 18 voices (9 survivors and 9 controls). Listener sample one heard spontaneous speech, and listener sample two heard the second sentence of a standardized passage. Listeners' self-reported psychopathic traits and history of previous perpetration were measured.Results: Across both samples, history of perpetration (but not psychopathy) predicted accuracy in distinguishing survivors of assault.Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential role of voice in prevention and intervention. Gaining a further understanding of what voice cues are associated with accuracy in discerning survivors can also help us understand whether or not specialized voice training could have a role in self-defense practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Monti
- Voice and Trauma Research and Connection Group, Inc., New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychology, The New School for Social Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wendy D’Andrea
- Department of Psychology, The New School for Social Research, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Katherine Norton
- Department of Psychology, The New School for Social Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Noga Miron
- Department of Psychology, The New School for Social Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Olivia Resto
- Department of Psychology, The New School for Social Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kayla Toscano
- Voice and Trauma Research and Connection Group, Inc., New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychology, The New School for Social Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - John Williams
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Anne Maass
- Department of Psychology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
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Hood CO, Southward MW, Badour CL, Sauer-Zavala S. BPD Compass: Using a dimensional model of psychopathology to treat co-occurring borderline personality disorder and posttraumatic stress symptoms. J Trauma Stress 2024; 37:422-432. [PMID: 38502144 DOI: 10.1002/jts.23024] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
BPD Compass is a transdiagnostic psychotherapy that includes cognitive, behavioral, and mindfulness skills targeting the personality dimensions of negative affectivity, disinhibition, and antagonism. Given considerable symptom comorbidity and overlap in etiology between borderline personality disorder (BPD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this study investigated whether BPD Compass holds promise as an integrated approach to simultaneously treating co-occurring BPD features and PTSD symptoms. Participants included 84 trauma-exposed adults who participated in a two-phase clinical trial (Phase 1: randomized controlled trial of BPD Compass vs. waitlist [n = 43]; Phase 2: open trial of BPD Compass [n = 41]). Compared to waitlist, BPD Compass led to medium-to-large-sized, significant improvements in BPD features, βs = -.57 -.44, and facets of neuroticism, βs < -.55--.73, as well as small, nonsignificant improvements in self-reported, β = -.20, and clinician-rated PTSD symptom severity, β = -.19. During treatment, within-person improvements in PTSD symptoms predicted subsequent improvements in BPD features, β = .13, but not vice versa, β = .07. Within-person PTSD symptom reduction also predicted subsequent improvement in all personality dimensions, whereas only within-person improvement in despondence, β = .12, affective dysregulation, β = .11, and dissociative tendencies, β = .12, predicted PTSD symptom reductions. Findings offer preliminary support for the potential of BPD Compass to target BPD features and aspects of neuroticism and agreeableness among trauma-exposed adults. Moreover, PTSD symptom change predicting subsequent improvement in BPD features runs counter to current stage-based treatment models that emphasize BPD feature stabilization before engaging in trauma-focused therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn O Hood
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | | | - Christal L Badour
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Trierweiler EJ, Pashak TJ, Bradley SM. Yes, It's that Common and Yes, It's that Bad: An Estimation of the Prevalence and Psychological Correlates of Rape and Sexual Assault in College Women. Psychol Rep 2024; 127:1201-1213. [PMID: 36317938 DOI: 10.1177/00332941221137232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Rape myths play a role in rape denialism, in which individuals deny the prevalence and severity of sexual assault. This project aimed to address two common rape myths: that rape is uncommon and its effects are exaggerated. To test these claims, we explored two archival samples consisting of undergraduate women. Study 1, a 5-year chart review of university counseling center intake forms (n = 883), demonstrated that 30.2% of clients had experienced "sexual violence," "sexual contact without consent," or both. Study 2, a re-analysis of an emerging adulthood resilience survey dataset (n = 359), demonstrated that 20.6% of subjects had a history of sexual assault, and that those women reported lower life satisfaction and more severe psychological symptoms than those who did not. These findings are in line with previous literature debunking harmful rape myths that contribute to the perpetuation of rape culture. Our data help validate these rape notions as mythical; rape is indeed common and devastating.
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Mirabolfathi V, Choobin MH, Moradi AR, Sanambari F, Naeini S, Mahdavi M, Hitchcock C. Improving access to psychological intervention in low-middle income settings: Results from a waitlist-controlled, proof-of-concept trial of the MemFlex intervention for trauma-exposed Afghan youth. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38736135 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12473] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-intensity interventions targeting a range of mental health issues offer a scalable approach for young trauma survivors in low-middle income countries. AIMS Here, we present results from a proof-of-concept, randomized, waitlist-controlled trial evaluating MemFlex, an autobiographical memory-based intervention, for trauma-exposed Afghan youth residing in Iran. MemFlex seeks to reduce the negative and overgeneral memory biases which maintain and predict poor mental health. MATERIALS AND METHODS Young people aged 12-18 years (N = 40) with parents who had experienced forced migration from Afghanistan were recruited from high schools in Karaj City in Iran. All had experienced a traumatic event in the last year. Participants were randomized to receive four weeks of a group-based delivery of MemFlex or Waitlist. Our primary cognitive outcome was autobiographical memory flexibility, that is, the ability to deliberately retrieve any memory type on demand. Primary clinical outcome was emotional distress, measured on the Farsi version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. RESULTS Results indicated that MemFlex participants demonstrated large effect sizes for pre-to-post improvement in memory flexibility (d = 2.04) and emotional distress (d = 1.23). These improvements were significantly larger than Waitlist (ds < .49), and were maintained at three-month follow-up. DISCUSSION Positive benefits were observed for completion of MemFlex, and future comparison against an active intervention appears warranted. CONCLUSION Further evaluation of MemFlex in this context may offer a low-cost, and low-resource intervention to improve access to psychological intervention for young migrants in low-middle income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vida Mirabolfathi
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad H Choobin
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | | | - Mohamad Mahdavi
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran
| | - Caitlin Hitchcock
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Kahhale I, Farrise K, Das A, McPhee J, Galán CA, Park A. Recognizing the Impact of Racism-Based Traumatic Stress on Youth: Implications for Research and Clinical Practice. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024:S0890-8567(24)00242-9. [PMID: 38734405 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2024.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kaela Farrise
- University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California
| | | | - Jeanne McPhee
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Chardée A Galán
- The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania
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17
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Cohen M, Nakash O, Apter-Levy Y. Gender Differences in the Relationship between Lifetime Exposure to Trauma and the Development of Pathological Personality Traits. J Trauma Dissociation 2024; 25:394-407. [PMID: 38376101 DOI: 10.1080/15299732.2024.2320436] [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: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Gender differences in the prevalence, types and outcomes of traumas have consistently been reported in the literature. Other research has documented that exposure to trauma is associated with the development and maintenance of pathological personality traits. In the current study, we examined the moderating role of gender in the association between lifetime exposure to trauma and pathological personality traits. The sample included 148 clients who sought treatment at a community mental health clinic. All participants completed online questionnaires including demographic information, the Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ), and the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Brief Form (PID-5-BF) at the entry to treatment. Our findings documented a significant association between exposure to trauma and pathological personality traits in men, but not in women. Furthermore, this pattern of results was specifically evident within two personality domains: antagonism and detachment. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of the interplay between trauma, gender, and the development of pathological personality traits. They expand upon the growing knowledge about the mental health crisis among boys and men by shedding light on the unique vulnerabilities that men face in response to traumatic experiences and how these experiences can have a lasting impact on their adaptive functioning. Consequently, at the clinical level, the current study emphasizes the importance of paying particular attention to men's trauma histories and explicitly exploring these during the intake session.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Cohen
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel
- School for Social Work, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ora Nakash
- School for Social Work, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yael Apter-Levy
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel
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18
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Bengtson L, Aubuchon-Endsley N, Meotti S, Lynch S. Trauma History Questionnaire: validation with novel samples of incarcerated women and perinatal women. Women Health 2024; 64:380-391. [PMID: 38649698 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2024.2344503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Trauma exposure is associated with numerous negative outcomes, many of which are amplified within at-risk populations. Two under-researched and at-risk populations, incarcerated women and perinatal women, both report high rates of trauma, psychopathology, and PTSD compared to the general population. One common measure of trauma exposure in various populations, including incarcerated women and perinatal women, is the Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ). However, no known studies have validated the THQ within these two unique, understudied populations. Using data from two studies of incarcerated women and one study of perinatal women, researchers explored indices of THQ construct, predictive, and convergent validity. The study also included between-sample comparisons, highlighting differences in trauma incidence between the included samples. Analyses supported statistically significant relations between THQ scores and Severity of Violence Against Women Scale (SVAWS), depressive symptoms, PTSD, and psychological distress. Prenatal women's THQ scores were also predictive of later postpartum depressive symptoms. Significantly higher THQ scores were found within the incarcerated samples compared to the perinatal sample. The study results provide further information about trauma within incarcerated and perinatal populations, as well as increase understanding of the utility of trauma assessments within these vulnerable groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillian Bengtson
- Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA
| | | | - Sara Meotti
- Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA
| | - Shannon Lynch
- Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, USA
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19
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Drusko A, Renz M, Schmidt H, Rosin M, Simon J, Beiner E, Charalambides M, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Treede RD, Tost H, Tesarz J. Measuring interpersonal trauma: Development and validation of the German version of the victimization experience schedule (VES). J Psychosom Res 2024; 179:111626. [PMID: 38430794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111626] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Interpersonal victimization experiences (VEs) significantly affect mental and physical health, particularly in disorders associated with life-time adversities, like fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, assessing VEs comprehensively remains challenging due to limited tools that encompass sub-traumatic events, such as bullying or discrimination, and contextual dimensions. We aimed to address this gap by validating the Victimization Experience Schedule (VES) in German, examining its reliability, and assessing VEs in clinical populations with FMS and MDD. METHODS We investigated the relationship between VEs and clinical symptoms in individuals with FMS, MDD and healthy controls (N = 105) in a case-control study. We also analyzed correlations between different types of VEs and categories of early childhood abuse and posttraumatic-stress-disorder instruments. Additionally, we validated our findings in an independent sample of individuals with FMS (N = 97) from a clinical study. RESULTS We observed excellent inter-rater reliability (Kw = 0.90-0.99), and VEs assessed using the VES were in alignment with subcategories of early childhood abuse. The prevalence of VEs extended beyond the categories covered by traditional survey instruments and was higher in individuals with MDD (4.0 ± 2.6) and FMS (5.9 ± 3.1) compared to controls (1.5 ± 1.7). We consistently identified a significant association between the number of VEs, the associated subjective distress, and clinical scores. Furthermore, distinct correlation patterns between VEs and clinical outcomes emerged across different cohorts. CONCLUSION Our study emphasizes the VES's value in understanding VEs within MDD and FMS. These experiences span from traumatic to sub-traumatic and correlate with posttraumatic-stress and clinical symptoms, underscoring the VES's importance as an assessment tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Drusko
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Malika Renz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Hannah Schmidt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany; Department of Neurophysiology, MCTN, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Michelle Rosin
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joe Simon
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eva Beiner
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Monica Charalambides
- Hammersmith & Fulham Community Rehab, West London NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZPG (German Centre for Mental Health - Partner Site Heidelberg/ Mannheim/ Ulm), Germany
| | - Rolf-Detlef Treede
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany; Department of Neurophysiology, MCTN, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Heike Tost
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany; DZPG (German Centre for Mental Health - Partner Site Heidelberg/ Mannheim/ Ulm), Germany
| | - Jonas Tesarz
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; DZPG (German Centre for Mental Health - Partner Site Heidelberg/ Mannheim/ Ulm), Germany.
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20
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Benrimoh D, Fisher VL, Seabury R, Sibarium E, Mourgues C, Chen D, Powers A. Evidence for Reduced Sensory Precision and Increased Reliance on Priors in Hallucination-Prone Individuals in a General Population Sample. Schizophr Bull 2024; 50:349-362. [PMID: 37830405 PMCID: PMC10919780 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad136] [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] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence that people with hallucinations overweight perceptual beliefs relative to incoming sensory evidence. Past work demonstrating prior overweighting has used simple, nonlinguistic stimuli. However, auditory hallucinations in psychosis are often complex and linguistic. There may be an interaction between the type of auditory information being processed and its perceived quality in engendering hallucinations. STUDY DESIGN We administered a linguistic version of the conditioned hallucinations (CH) task to an online sample of 88 general population participants. Metrics related to hallucination-proneness, hallucination severity, stimulus thresholds, and stimulus detection rates were collected. Data were used to fit parameters of a Hierarchical Gaussian Filter (HGF) model of perceptual inference to determine how latent perceptual states influenced task behavior. STUDY RESULTS Replicating past results, higher CH rates were observed both in those with recent hallucinatory experiences as well as participants with high hallucination-proneness; CH rates were positively correlated with increased prior weighting; and increased prior weighting was related to hallucination severity. Unlike past results, participants with recent hallucinatory experiences as well as those with higher hallucination-proneness had higher stimulus thresholds, lower sensitivity to stimuli presented at the highest threshold, and had lower response confidence, consistent with lower precision of sensory evidence. CONCLUSIONS We replicate the finding that increased CH rates and recent hallucinations correlate with increased prior weighting using a linguistic version of the CH task. Results support a role for reduced sensory precision in the interplay between prior weighting and hallucination-proneness.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Benrimoh
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University School of Medicine, Montreal, Canada
| | - Victoria L Fisher
- Yale University School of Medicine and the Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rashina Seabury
- Yale University School of Medicine and the Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ely Sibarium
- Yale University School of Medicine and the Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Catalina Mourgues
- Yale University School of Medicine and the Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Doris Chen
- Yale University School of Medicine and the Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Albert Powers
- Yale University School of Medicine and the Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
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21
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Hahn C, Tilstra-Ferrell E, Salim S, Goodrum N, Rheingold A, Gilmore AK, Barber S, Moreland A. Web-Based Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for Traumatic Stress and Alcohol Misuse Among Survivors of Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence: Usability and Acceptability Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e49557. [PMID: 38358791 PMCID: PMC10905344 DOI: 10.2196/49557] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault (SA) are at a high risk for traumatic stress and alcohol misuse. IPV and SA survivors face barriers to services for traumatic stress and alcohol misuse and have low service utilization rates. One way to increase access to services for this population is the use of web-based screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT), an evidence-informed approach for early identification of traumatic stress and alcohol and drug misuse and connecting individuals to treatment. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the usability and acceptability of a web-based SBIRT called CHAT (Choices For Your Health After Trauma) tailored to address traumatic stress and alcohol misuse following past-year IPV, SA, or both. METHODS Phase 1 involved gathering feedback about usability and acceptability from focus groups with victim service professionals (22/52, 42%) and interviews with past-year survivors of IPV, SA, or both (13/52, 25%). Phase 2 involved gathering feedback about the acceptability of an adapted version of CHAT in an additional sample of recent survivors (17/52, 33%). Survey data on history of IPV and SA, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, alcohol and drug use, and service use were collected from survivors in both phases to characterize the samples. Qualitative content and thematic analyses of the interviews and focus group data were conducted using a coding template analysis comprising 6 a priori themes (usability, visual design, user engagement, content, therapeutic persuasiveness, and therapeutic alliance). RESULTS Six themes emerged during the focus groups and interviews related to CHAT: usability, visual design, user engagement, content, therapeutic persuasiveness, and therapeutic alliance. Phase 1 providers and survivors viewed CHAT as acceptable, easy to understand, and helpful. Participants reported that the intervention could facilitate higher engagement in this population as the web-based modality is anonymous, easily accessible, and brief. Participants offered helpful suggestions for improving CHAT by updating images, increasing content personalization, reducing text, and making users aware that the intervention is confidential. The recommendations of phase 1 participants were incorporated into CHAT. Phase 2 survivors viewed the revised intervention and found it highly acceptable (mean 4.1 out of 5, SD 1.29). A total of 4 themes encapsulated participant's favorite aspects of CHAT: (1) content and features, (2) accessible and easy to use, (3) education, and (4) personalization. Six survivors denied disliking any aspect. The themes on recommended changes included content and features, brevity, personalization, and language access. Participants provided dissemination recommendations. CONCLUSIONS Overall, CHAT was acceptable among victim service professionals and survivors. Positive reactions to CHAT show promise for future research investigating the efficacy and potential benefit of CHAT when integrated into services for people with traumatic stress and alcohol misuse after recent IPV and SA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Hahn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Emily Tilstra-Ferrell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Selime Salim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Nada Goodrum
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Alyssa Rheingold
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Amanda K Gilmore
- Department of Health Policy & Behavioral Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sara Barber
- South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Angela Moreland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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22
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Sales JM, Anderson KM, Livingston MD, Garbarino S, Hadera S, Rose ES, Carlson MS, Kalokhe AS. Experiences of childhood, intimate partner, non-partner, and hate crime-related violence among a sample of people living with HIV in the epicenter of the U.S. HIV epidemic. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1331855. [PMID: 38384880 PMCID: PMC10879432 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1331855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Experiences of violence among people living with HIV (PLWH) are thought to be highly prevalent but remain inadequately captured. As a first step toward acceptable, trauma informed practices that improve engagement and retention in care for PLWH, we must acquire more comprehensive understanding of violence experiences. We examined experiences of various forms of lifetime violence: adverse childhood experiences (ACES), intimate partner violence (IPV), non-partner violence (NPV), and hate crimes among diverse sample of PLWH in Atlanta, Georgia. Methods Cross sectional data collected from in- and out-of-care PLWH (N = 285) receiving care/support from Ryan White Clinics (RWCs), AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs), or large safety-net hospital, February 2021-December 2022. As part of larger study, participants completed interviewer-administered survey and reported on experiences of violence, both lifetime and past year. Participant characteristics and select HIV-related variables were collected to further describe the sample. Univariate and bivariate analyses assessed participant characteristics across types of violence. Results High prevalence of past violence experiences across all types (ACES: 100%, IPV: 88.7%, NPV: 97.5%, lifetime hate crimes 93.2%). People assigned male at birth who identified as men experienced more violence than women, with exception of non-partner forced sex. Participants identifying as gay men were more likely to have experienced violence. Conclusion Among our sample of PLWH at the epicenter of the United States HIV epidemic, histories of interpersonal and community violence are common. Findings emphasize need for RWCs, ASOs, and hospital systems to be universally trained in trauma-informed approaches and have integrated onsite mental health and social support services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M. Sales
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Katherine M. Anderson
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Melvin D. Livingston
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sophia Garbarino
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Selaem Hadera
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Eve S. Rose
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Madelyn S. Carlson
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ameeta S. Kalokhe
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
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23
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Wang CC, Difede J. A Two-Phased Telehealth Model to Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in a Health Care Worker due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Report. Telemed J E Health 2024; 30:601-606. [PMID: 37585569 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: We report a case describing the use of a two-step telehealth intervention to treat symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that developed in a frontline health care worker (HCW) during the COVID-19 pandemic. HCWs are at increased risk of adverse psychological outcomes, including PTSD, due to the nature of their work, which has been exacerbated by the global pandemic. Methods: This case represents the first successfully completed participant in a larger ongoing trial to address psychological distress, PTSD, and comorbidities in HCWs consequent to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a two-step intervention of self-directed narrative writing delivered entirely online followed by prolonged exposure therapy using videoconferencing, the HCW displayed significant improvement in symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use. Results: The treatment model described here offers preliminary support for a two-step remote delivery approach to meet the need for scalable self-directed distance technology-based mental health interventions for HCWs. This study is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04626050).
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal C Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
| | - JoAnn Difede
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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24
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Basso JC, Satyal MK, McKee KL, Lynn S, Gyamfi D, Bickel WK. Dissociation and other trauma symptomatology are linked to imbalance in the competing neurobehavioral decision systems. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1317088. [PMID: 38356995 PMCID: PMC10864435 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1317088] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Dissociation is a conscious state characterized by alterations in sensation and perception and is thought to arise from traumatic life experiences. Previous research has demonstrated that individuals with high levels of dissociation show impairments in cognitive-emotional processes. Therefore, using the Competing Neurobehavioral Decisions System (CNDS) theory, we used statistical modeling to examine whether dissociative experience and trauma symptoms are independently predicted by impulsivity, risk-seeking, affective state (i.e., anxiety, depression, stress, and negative affect), and trauma history. Method In this cross-sectional study design, data were collected via Amazon Mechanical Turk from a total of n = 557 English-speaking participants in the United States. Using Qualtrics, participants answered a series of self-reported questionnaires and completed several neurocognitive tasks. Three independent multiple linear regression models were conducted to assess whether impulsivity, risk seeking, affective state, and trauma history predict depersonalization, trauma symptoms, and PTSD symptoms. Results As hypothesized, we found that depersonalization and other trauma symptoms are associated with heightened impulsivity, increased risk-seeking, impaired affective states, and a history of traumatic experiences. Conclusion We demonstrate that an imbalanced CNDS (i.e., hyperimpulsive/hypoexecutive), as evidenced by decreased future valuation, increased risk seeking, and impaired affective states, predicts heightened depersonalization and other trauma and PTSD symptomatology. This is the first time that dissociation has been connected to delay discounting (i.e., the tendency to place more value on rewards received immediately compared to farther in the future). Interventions that positively impact areas of the CNDS, such as episodic future thinking or mindfulness meditation, may be a target to help decrease dissociative symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia C. Basso
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Center for Health Behaviors Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Medha K. Satyal
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Kevin L. McKee
- Center for Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Sarah Lynn
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Daphne Gyamfi
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Warren K. Bickel
- Center for Health Behaviors Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, United States
- Addiction Recovery Research Center, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, United States
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25
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Schindler-Gmelch L, Capito K, Steudte-Schmiedgen S, Kirschbaum C, Berking M. Hair Cortisol Research in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - 10 Years of Insights and Open Questions. A Systematic Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:1697-1719. [PMID: 37550910 PMCID: PMC11284720 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230807112425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cortisol is one of the most extensively studied biomarkers in the context of trauma/posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For more than a decade, hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) have been measured in this context, leading to a two-staged dysregulation model. Specifically, an elevated secretion during/immediately after trauma exposure eventually reverts to hyposecretion with increasing time since trauma exposure has been postulated. OBJECTIVE The aim of our systematic review was to re-evaluate the two-staged secretion model with regard to the accumulated diagnostic, prognostic, and intervention-related evidence of HCC in lifetime trauma exposure and PTSD. Further, we provide an overview of open questions, particularly with respect to reporting standards and quality criteria. METHOD A systematic literature search yielded 5,046 records, of which 31 studies were included. RESULTS For recent/ongoing (traumatic) stress, the predictions of cortisol hypersecretion could be largely confirmed. However, for the assumed hyposecretion temporally more distal to trauma exposure, the results are more ambiguous. As most studies did not report holistic overviews of trauma history and confounding influences, this may largely be attributable to methodological limitations. Data on the prognostic and intervention-related benefits of HCC remain sparse. CONCLUSION Over the last decade, important insights could be gained about long-term cortisol secretion patterns following lifetime trauma exposure and PTSD. This systematic review integrates these insights into an updated secretion model for trauma/PTSD. We conclude with recommendations for improving HCC research in the context of trauma/PTSD in order to answer the remaining open questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Schindler-Gmelch
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klara Capito
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Berking
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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26
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McClellan LS, van der Miesen AIR, Tishelman AC, Fischbach AL, Song M, Campos LA, Strang JF. Cognitive and Developmental Profiles Associated with Self-Reported Sexual and Gender Minority Stigmatization Among Binary Transgender Adolescents. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL FOR THE SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY, AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, DIVISION 53 2023:1-17. [PMID: 38118056 DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2023.2292045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sexual and gender minority (SGM) stigmatization is a key factor related to transgender adolescent mental health. While previous research has focused on direct associations between stigmatization and mental health, the present study of transgender youth, equitably recruited across the autism spectrum, examines cognitive and developmental factors in relation to the self-report of experienced and perceived SGM stigmatization. METHOD 65 binary transgender adolescents (43% transfeminine; ages 13-21 years) were intentionally recruited across the spectrum of autism traits from no traits to full criteria autism. Participants completed measures of autism-related social differences, cognitive abilities, and self-reported directly experienced and perceived SGM stigma. Autism-related social differences, cognitive abilities, and age were studied in relation to both SGM stigma factors. RESULTS Autism-related social differences were negatively associated with level of directly experienced SGM stigma but unassociated with perceived stigma. Greater cognitive ability was positively associated with level of perceived SGM stigma, but unassociated with report of directly experienced stigma. Older age was positively associated with level of perceived SGM stigma. There was a statistical trend toward older age positively associated with level of directly experienced stigma. CONCLUSIONS The present study identifies candidate cognitive and developmental influences on self-reported SGM stigmatization among transgender adolescents, evenly recruited across the autism spectrum. The factors which may impact the perception and experience of stigmatization have been notably under-explored in the mental health field. The examination of these individual characteristics may allow for more precise predictive models for research with transgender youth, and ultimately, in clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy S McClellan
- Center for Neuroscience, Children's National Research Institute, Children's National Hospital
| | - Anna I R van der Miesen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Vrije Universiteit
| | | | - Abigail L Fischbach
- Center for Neuroscience, Children's National Research Institute, Children's National Hospital
| | - Minneh Song
- Center for Neuroscience, Children's National Research Institute, Children's National Hospital
| | - Laura A Campos
- Center for Neuroscience, Children's National Research Institute, Children's National Hospital
| | - John F Strang
- Center for Neuroscience, Children's National Research Institute, Children's National Hospital
- Departments of Pediatrics, Neurology, and Behavioral Science, George Washington University School of Medicine
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Ng LC, Hook K, Hailemariam M, Selamu M, Fekadu A, Hanlon C. Experience of traumatic events in people with severe mental illness in a low-income country: a qualitative study. Int J Ment Health Syst 2023; 17:45. [PMID: 38053187 PMCID: PMC10699012 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-023-00616-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study describes the trauma experiences of people with severe mental illness (SMI) in Ethiopia and presents a model of how SMI and trauma exposure interact to reduce functioning and quality of life in this setting. METHODS A total of 53 participants living and working in a rural district in southern Ethiopia were interviewed: 18 people living with SMI, 21 caregivers, and 14 primary health care providers. RESULTS Many participants reported that exposure to traumatic and stressful events led to SMI, exacerbated SMI symptoms, and increased caregiver stress and distress. In addition, SMI symptoms and caregiver desperation, stress or stigma were also reported to increase the possibility of trauma exposure. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest it is incumbent upon health professionals and the broader health community to view trauma exposure (broadly defined) as a public health problem that affects all, particularly individuals with SMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren C Ng
- Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University, School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Kimberly Hook
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University, School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maji Hailemariam
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Flint, MI, USA
| | - Medhin Selamu
- Center for Innovative Drug Development, Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), Addis Ababa University, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abebaw Fekadu
- Center for Innovative Drug Development, Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), Addis Ababa University, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- Center for Innovative Drug Development, Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), Addis Ababa University, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Health Service and Population Research Department, Centre for Global Mental Health, King's College London, WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Research and Training, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
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Quinn EB, Hsiao CJ, Maisha FM, Mulligan CJ. Prenatal maternal stress is associated with site-specific and age acceleration changes in maternal and newborn DNA methylation. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2222473. [PMID: 37300821 PMCID: PMC10259347 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2222473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal maternal stress has a negative impact on child health but the mechanisms through which maternal stress affects child health are unclear. Epigenetic variation, such as DNA methylation, is a likely mechanistic candidate as DNA methylation is sensitive to environmental insults and can regulate long-term changes in gene expression. We recruited 155 mother-newborn dyads in the Democratic Republic of Congo to investigate the effects of maternal stress on DNA methylation in mothers and newborns. We used four measures of maternal stress to capture a range of stressful experiences: general trauma, sexual trauma, war trauma, and chronic stress. We identified differentially methylated positions (DMPs) associated with general trauma, sexual trauma, and war trauma in both mothers and newborns. No DMPs were associated with chronic stress. Sexual trauma was positively associated with epigenetic age acceleration across several epigenetic clocks in mothers. General trauma and war trauma were positively associated with newborn epigenetic age acceleration using the extrinsic epigenetic age clock. We tested the top DMPs for enrichment of DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHS) and found no enrichment in mothers. In newborns, top DMPs associated with war trauma were enriched for DHS in embryonic and foetal cell types. Finally, one of the top DMPs associated with war trauma in newborns also predicted birthweight, completing the cycle from maternal stress to DNA methylation to newborn health outcome. Our results indicate that maternal stress is associated with site-specific changes in DNAm and epigenetic age acceleration in both mothers and newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward B. Quinn
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Chu J. Hsiao
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Felicien M. Maisha
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Democratic Republic of Congo, HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, USA
- Democratic Republic of Congo, Maisha Institute, Goma, USA
| | - Connie J. Mulligan
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Hahn CK, Shapiro M, Rheingold AA, Gilmore AK, Barber S, Greenway E, Moreland A. Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Treatment for Alcohol Misuse Among Survivors and Victim Service Professionals Following Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence. VIOLENCE AND VICTIMS 2023; 38:645-663. [PMID: 37385667 PMCID: PMC11251445 DOI: 10.1891/vv-2022-0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Survivors of sexual assault (SA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) report high rates of alcohol misuse and often receive services from community agencies. We conducted a qualitative study to examine barriers and facilitators to treatment for alcohol misuse after experiences of SA/IPV among survivors (N = 13) and victim service professionals (VSPs; N = 22) at community-based agencies using semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Survivors discussed seeking treatment for alcohol misuse when alcohol is being used to cope with SA/IPV-related distress and when alcohol use becomes problematic. Survivors identified that stigma and acknowledgment of alcohol misuse are individual-level barriers and facilitators to treatment. System-level factors were also described including having access to treatment and sensitive providers. VSPs also discussed individual (e.g., stigma) and system (e.g., availability and quality of services) level barriers and facilitators to treatment for alcohol misuse. Results indicated several unique barriers and facilitators to treatment for alcohol misuse following SA/IPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine K Hahn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Mary Shapiro
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Alyssa A Rheingold
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Amanda K Gilmore
- Department of Health Policy and Behavioral Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sara Barber
- SC Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Emily Greenway
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Angela Moreland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Mirhosseini T, Guastello AD, Dale LP, Sambuco N, Allen BR, Mathews CA. Effects of COVID-19 stress, proximity, and adverse childhood experiences on healthcare workers' mental health. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1228515. [PMID: 37727750 PMCID: PMC10505740 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1228515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Past research has shown that healthcare workers (HCWs) experience high levels of psychological distress during epidemics and pandemics, resulting in cascading effects that have led to chronically understaffed hospitals and healthcare centers. Due to the nature of their responsibilities and workplace stress, HCWs are among vulnerable groups especially during global health crises. During COVID-19 many healthcare workers reported greater symptoms of anxiety, depression, and COVID-19 related worries. Furthermore, adverse childhood experiences increase vulnerability for psychological conditions, especially during pandemics. This study sets out to (1) investigate the moderating effects of adverse childhood experiences on healthcare workers' COVID-19 related stressors and depression/anxiety symptoms, and (2) investigate the moderating effects of adverse childhood experiences on proximity to the COVID-19 virus and depression/anxiety symptoms. Participants included 438 employed HCWs recruited from academic medical centers and smaller healthcare agencies in northcentral Florida between October to December 2020. Mean age of participants was 38.23 (SD = 11.5) with most of the HCWs being white (72.1%), non-Hispanic (86.8%) and female (82%). Healthcare workers completed several online questionnaires, including the Adverse Childhood Experiences scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, a COVID-19 specific worries scale, and a Social Proximity to COVID-19 scale. Healthcare workers experiencing specific COVID-19 worries reported experiencing anxiety and depressive symptoms. A significant positive interaction was seen between childhood adverse experiences globally and COVID-19 worries on anxiety symptoms. A significant positive interaction was observed between childhood maltreatment specifically and COVID-19 worries on depressive symptoms. Additionally, a positive interaction effect was seen between childhood adverse experiences and COVID-19 social proximity for both depression symptoms and anxiety symptoms. Findings from the present study indicate that adverse childhood experiences strengthen the relationship between COVID-19 worry/proximity and negative psychological symptoms. Vulnerable populations such as individuals who have experienced ACEs could benefit from targeted and specific interventions to cope with the collective trauma experienced globally due to COVID-19. As COVID-19 becomes endemic, hospital leadership and authorities should continue addressing COVID-19 worries and HCWs' psychological symptoms through mental health support and organizational interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tannaz Mirhosseini
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- UF Center for OCD, Anxiety, and Related Disorders, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Andrea D. Guastello
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- UF Center for OCD, Anxiety, and Related Disorders, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Lourdes P. Dale
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Nicola Sambuco
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- UF Center for OCD, Anxiety, and Related Disorders, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Brandon R. Allen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Carol A. Mathews
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- UF Center for OCD, Anxiety, and Related Disorders, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Schacht RL, Wenzel KR, Meyer LE, Mette M, Mallik-Kane K, Rabalais A, Berg SK, Fishman M. A pilot test of Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD in residential substance use treatment. Am J Addict 2023; 32:488-496. [PMID: 37329251 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.13442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly comorbid with substance use disorders (SUD) and can impede SUD recovery. Residential SUD treatment is a crucial opportunity to address PTSD. However, PTSD treatment is lacking in residential SUD care. METHODS We conducted a nonrandomized feasibility study of Written Exposure Therapy (WET), a brief, evidence-based treatment for PTSD, with patients in residential SUD treatment. We assessed attitudes towards treatment (Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire, Barriers to Treatment Participation Scale) and mental health indicators (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, Trauma Coping Self-Efficacy, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation-Short Form, and Brief Assessment of Recovery Capital). RESULTS Thirty of 49 eligible participants completed WET (61%) and 92% (n = 45) attended at least one WET session. Paired sample t-tests revealed significant posttreatment improvement across all mental health indicators, with medium to large effect sizes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Attendance and completion rates compared favorably to prior exposure-based treatment for PTSD in SUD settings. Although causality cannot be inferred without a randomized controlled trial, mental health indicators, including PTSD, improved significantly following WET. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE These findings provide evidence that PTSD can be successfully treated in short-term residential care using brief exposure-based interventions, which is a crucial clinical need that has been minimally studied in the past.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Schacht
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kevin R Wenzel
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Maryland Treatment Centers, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Laurel E Meyer
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Meghan Mette
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Samantha K Berg
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Marc Fishman
- Maryland Treatment Centers, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Brown LL, Wilkins ML, Pichon LC, Stewart JL, Sales JM, Audet CM, Hill SV, Pettit AC. Process Mapping to inform implementation of Trauma-Informed Care for youth aged 14-24 with HIV in the Southern United States. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3234952. [PMID: 37645914 PMCID: PMC10462242 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3234952/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Background Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is an evidence-based approach for improving health outcomes by providing systematic, trauma- sensitive and -responsive care. Because TIC adoption varies by setting and population, Implementation Science (IS) is particularly well-suited to guide roll-out efforts. Process Mapping (PM) is an IS model for creating shared visual depictions of systems as they are to identify rate-limiting steps of intervention adoption, but guidance on how to apply PM to guide TIC adoption is lacking. Authors of this study aimed to develop a novel method for conducting TIC-focused PM. Methods A real-life TIC implementation study is presented to show how TIC-focused PM was conducted in the case example of a pediatric HIV clinic in a Southern urban area with a high burden of psychological trauma among youth with HIV. A five-phase PM model was applied to evince clinic standards of care, including Preparation, planning and process identification; Data and information gathering; Map generation; Analysis; and Taking it forward. Practices and conditions from four TIC domains were assessed, including Trauma responsive services; Practices of inclusivity, safety, and wellness; Training and sustaining trauma responsiveness; and Cultural responsiveness. Results The TIC-focused PM method indicated the case clinic provided limited and non-systematic patient trauma screening, assessment, and interventions; limited efforts to promote professional quality of life and elicit and integrate patient experiences and preferences for care; no ongoing efforts to train and prepare workforce for trauma- sensitive or -responsive care; and no clinic-specific efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for patients and personnel. Conclusion Principles and constructs of resilience-focused TIC were synthesized with a five-phase PM model to generate a baseline depiction of TIC in a pediatric HIV clinic. Results will inform the implementation of TIC in the clinic. Future champions may follow the TIC-focused PM model to guide context-tailored TIC adoption.
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Hiser J, Heilicher M, Botsford C, Crombie KM, Bellani J, Azar A, Fonzo G, Nacewicz BM, Cisler JM. Decision-making for concurrent reward and threat is differentially modulated by trauma exposure and PTSD symptom severity. Behav Res Ther 2023; 167:104361. [PMID: 37393833 PMCID: PMC10370461 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2023.104361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Trauma exposure, particularly interpersonal violence (IPV) traumas, are significant risk factors for development of mental health disorders, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies attempting to disentangle mechanisms by which trauma confers risk and maintenance of PTSD have often investigated threat or reward learning in isolation. However, real-world decision-making often involves navigating concurrent and conflicting probabilities for threat and reward. We sought to understand how threat and reward learning interact to impact decision-making, and how these processes are modulated by trauma exposure and PTSD symptom severity. 429 adult participants with a range of trauma exposure and symptom severities completed an online version of the two stage Markov task, where participants make a series of decisions towards the goal of obtaining a reward, that embedded an intermediate threat or neutral image along the sequence of decisions to be made. This task design afforded the possibility to differentiate between threat avoidance vs diminished reward learning in the presence of threat, and whether these two processes reflect model-based vs model-free decision-making. Results demonstrated that trauma exposure severity, particularly IPV exposure, was associated with impairment in model-based learning for reward independent of threat, as well as with model-based threat avoidance. PTSD symptom severity was associated with diminished model-based learning for reward in the presence of threat, consistent with a threat-induced impairment in cognitively-demanding strategies for reward learning, but no evidence of heightened threat avoidance. These results highlight the complex interactions between threat and reward learning as a function of trauma exposure and PTSD symptom severity. Findings have potential implications for treatment augmentation and suggest a need for continued research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaryd Hiser
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | | | - Chloe Botsford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | - Kevin M Crombie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, USA
| | - Jaideep Bellani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
| | - Ameera Azar
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, USA; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, University of Texas at Austin, USA
| | - Greg Fonzo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, USA
| | | | - Josh M Cisler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, USA; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, University of Texas at Austin, USA.
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Pettus C, Fulmer R, Pederson SD, Eikenberry J. Study protocol paper for the multi-site feasibility evaluation of mobile and technology-assisted aftercare services for crisis stabilization units. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2023; 9:135. [PMID: 37525253 PMCID: PMC10388447 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-023-01361-8] [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: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Law enforcement frequently responds to substance abuse and mental health crises. Crisis stabilization units (CSUs) operate as a public-receiving facility to provide short-term stabilization services for individuals experiencing these crises and offer law enforcement an important alternative to arrest. However, there is limited understanding about how and when law enforcement decides to use CSUs. There is also the challenge of retaining individuals in treatment after CSU stabilization to prevent future crises and persistent engagement with police. This study will respond to these gaps by exploring CSU procedures and examining the feasibility and acceptability of a technology-assisted mobile aftercare intervention designed for individuals brought to a CSU by law enforcement. METHODS This study will consist of three aims. Aim 1 will include qualitative interviews with law enforcement and CSU-affiliated mental health staff (n=80) regarding CSU utilization and collaboration logistics between the groups. Findings from Aim 1 will be synthesized for the development of an implementation guide of our intervention, mobile, and technology-assisted aftercare, designed for individuals brought to a CSU by law enforcement, during Aim 2. During Aim 2, intervention services will be pilot-tested for 6 months through a small sample (n=24), randomized control trial (RCT). Control participants will receive standard services available for individuals discharging from a CSU. Treatment participants will receive the mobile aftercare intervention. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-recruitment for all study participants. Aims 1 and 2 will inform the design of a multi-site RCT to compare CSUs with and without mobile and technology-assisted aftercare (Aim 3). DISCUSSION The study will offer decision making and procedural insight into law enforcement use of CSUs as an alternative to jail and provide opportunities to inform that process. This research will provide outcome trends for those who go through standard CSU services compared to those who receive mobile and technology-assisted aftercare services. The current study will inform a larger RCT efficacy study of CSUs with and without technology-assisted aftercare services. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (reference #NCT04899934) on May 25, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Pettus
- Wellbeing and Equity Innovations, PO Box 14641, Tallahassee, FL, 32317, USA.
| | - Rachel Fulmer
- Wellbeing and Equity Innovations, PO Box 14641, Tallahassee, FL, 32317, USA
| | - Shelby D Pederson
- Institute for Justice Research and Development, Florida State University, 2010 Levy Ave, Suite 3400, Tallahassee, FL, 32310, USA
| | - Jacob Eikenberry
- Colorado Mesa University, 1100 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO, 81501-3122, USA
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Tubman JG, Moore C, Lee J, Shapiro AJ. Multivariate Patterns of Substance Use, Minority Stress and Environmental Violence Associated with Sexual Revictimization of Lesbian and Bisexual Emerging Adult Women. JOURNAL OF LESBIAN STUDIES 2023:1-21. [PMID: 37500604 DOI: 10.1080/10894160.2023.2240552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
This study documented between-group differences in factors associated with sexual revictimization histories in a sample of young sexual minority women. Diverse samples of lesbian (N = 204, ageM = 23.55 years) and bisexual (N = 249, ageM = 23.35 years) women from the United States were recruited using the CloudResearch platform to assess factors associated with recent experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV). Participants were categorized into four groups based on self-reports of sexual victimization (a) during childhood and (b) during adulthood in intimate relationships. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was used to model between-group differences in three variable domains: Past-year substance use involvement, minority stress, and violence in relationship and community settings. Lesbian women reporting sexual revictimization in adulthood reported significantly higher scores for measures of past-year substance use involvement and negative consequences, daily discrimination experiences, relational victimization, and criminal victimization, compared to their counterparts with no history of sexual victimization. Among bisexual women, sexual revictimization was associated with a similar pattern of between-group differences. The sexual revictimization experiences of sexual minority women appear to occur in the context of multivariate patterns of harmful substance use, minority stress, and violence in both relationship and community settings. Our findings have implications for how intervention services are provided to emerging adult sexual minority women who experience multiple episodes of sexual abuse during their lifespans. Recommendations include specialized training for counseling or intervention service providers, integrated trauma-informed services that address both substance use and sexual assault issues, and affirmative services for sexual minority women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Candace Moore
- Department of Psychology, American University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jacquie Lee
- Department of Psychology, American University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Avital J Shapiro
- Department of Psychology, American University, Washington, DC, USA
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Halverson CM, Penwell HL, Francomano CA. Clinician-associated traumatization from difficult medical encounters: Results from a qualitative interview study on the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes. SSM. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN HEALTH 2023; 3:100237. [PMID: 37426705 PMCID: PMC10328215 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2023.100237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Patients with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome often experience psychological distress resulting from the perceived hostility and disinterest of their clinicians. We conducted 26 in-depth interviews with patients to understand the origins of this trauma and how it could be addressed in practice. We found that the cumulative effects of numerous negative encounters lead patients to lose trust in their healthcare providers and the healthcare system, and to develop acute anxiety about returning to clinic to seek further care. We describe this as clinician-associated traumatization. Ultimately, our interviewees described the result of this traumatization as worse - but preventable - health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin M.E. Halverson
- Center for Bioethics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Anthropology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Heather L. Penwell
- Center for Bioethics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Clair A. Francomano
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Ludwig VU, Crone D, Clifton JDW, Rebele RW, Schor J, Platt ML. Resilience of primal world beliefs to the initial shock of the COVID-19 pandemic. J Pers 2023; 91:838-855. [PMID: 36156253 PMCID: PMC9538916 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12780] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People hold general beliefs about the world called primals (e.g., the world is Safe, Intentional), which are strongly linked to individual differences in personality, behavior, and mental health. How such beliefs form or change across the lifespan is largely unknown, although theory suggests that beliefs become more negative after disruptive events. The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to test whether dramatic world changes and personal adversity affect beliefs. METHOD In a longitudinal, quasi-experimental, pre-registered design, 529 US participants (51% female, 76% White) provided ratings of primals before and several months after pandemic onset, and information about personal adversity (e.g., losing family, financial hardship). Data were compared to 398 participants without experience of the pandemic. RESULTS The average person in our sample showed no change in 23 of the 26 primals, including Safe, in response to the early pandemic, and only saw the world as slightly less Alive, Interactive, and Acceptable. Higher adversity, however, was associated with slight declines in some beliefs. One limitation is that participants were exclusively American. CONCLUSION Primals were remarkably stable during the initial shock wrought by a once-in-a-century pandemic, supporting a view of primals as stable lenses through which people interpret the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera U. Ludwig
- Present address:
Department of NeurosciencePerelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Wharton Neuroscience InitiativeUniversity of Pennsylvania
| | - Damien Crone
- Present address:
Department of NeurosciencePerelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Positive Psychology CenterUniversity of Pennsylvania
| | | | - Reb W. Rebele
- Melbourne School of Psychological SciencesThe University of Melbourne
- Wharton People AnalyticsThe Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Jordyn Schor
- Present address:
Department of NeurosciencePerelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Michael L. Platt
- Present address:
Department of NeurosciencePerelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Wharton Neuroscience InitiativeUniversity of Pennsylvania
- Marketing DepartmentWharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and SciencesUniversity of Pennsylvania
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Xu Z, Hu J, Wang Y. Bilateral eye movements disrupt the involuntary perceptual representation of trauma-related memories. Behav Res Ther 2023; 165:104311. [PMID: 37037182 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2023.104311] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Bilateral eye movement (EM) is a critical component in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the role of bilateral EM in alleviating trauma-related symptoms is unclear. Here we hypothesize that bilateral EM selectively disrupts the perceptual representation of traumatic memories. We used the trauma film paradigm as an analog for trauma experience. Nonclinical participants viewed trauma films followed by a bilateral EM intervention or a static Fixation period as a control. Perceptual and semantic memories for the film were assessed with different measures. Results showed a significant decrease in perceptual memory recognition shortly after the EM intervention and subsequently in the frequency and vividness of film-related memory intrusions across one week, relative to the Fixation condition. The EM intervention did not affect the explicit recognition of semantic memories, suggesting a dissociation between perceptual and semantic memory disruption. Furthermore, the EM intervention effectively reduced psychophysiological affective responses, including the skin conductance response and pupil size, to film scenes and subjective affective ratings of film-related intrusions. Together, bilateral EMs effectively reduce the perceptual representation and affective response of trauma-related memories. Further theoretical developments are needed to elucidate the mechanism of bilateral EMs in trauma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenjie Xu
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310028, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jie Hu
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310028, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yingying Wang
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310028, Zhejiang, China.
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Son JJ, Schantell M, Picci G, Wang YP, Stephen JM, Calhoun VD, Doucet GE, Taylor BK, Wilson TW. Altered longitudinal trajectory of default mode network connectivity in healthy youth with subclinical depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2023; 60:101216. [PMID: 36857850 PMCID: PMC9986502 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The default mode network (DMN) plays a crucial role in internal self-processing, rumination, and social functions. Disruptions to DMN connectivity have been linked with early adversity and the emergence of psychopathology in adolescence and early adulthood. Herein, we investigate how subclinical psychiatric symptoms can impact DMN functional connectivity during the pubertal transition. Resting-state fMRI data were collected annually from 190 typically-developing youth (9-15 years-old) at three timepoints and within-network DMN connectivity was computed. We used latent growth curve modeling to determine how self-reported depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms predicted rates of change in DMN connectivity over the three-year period. In the baseline model without predictors, we found no systematic changes in DMN connectivity over time. However, significant modulation emerged after adding psychopathology predictors; greater depressive symptomatology was associated with significant decreases in connectivity over time, whereas posttraumatic stress symptoms were associated with significant increases in connectivity over time. Follow-up analyses revealed that these effects were driven by connectivity changes involving the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex subnetwork. In conclusion, these data suggest that subclinical depressive and posttraumatic symptoms alter the trajectory of DMN connectivity, which may indicate that this network is a nexus of clinical significance in mental health disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake J Son
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Giorgia Picci
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Yu-Ping Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | | | - Vince D Calhoun
- Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS), Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of technology, and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gaelle E Doucet
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Brittany K Taylor
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Tony W Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; Center for Pediatric Brain Health, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA; College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA; Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA.
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40
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Levy BR, Pietrzak RH, Slade MD. Societal impact on older persons' chronic pain: Roles of age stereotypes, age attribution, and age discrimination. Soc Sci Med 2023; 323:115772. [PMID: 36965204 PMCID: PMC10763575 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE In view of the severity and prevalence of chronic pain, combined with the limited success of long-term treatments, there is the need for a more expansive understanding of its etiology. We therefore investigated over time three societal-based potential determinants of chronic pain that were previously unexamined in this connection: negative age stereotypes, age attribution, and age discrimination. METHODS The cohort consisted of 1373 Americans aged 55 and older, who participated in four waves of the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, spanning seven years. RESULTS Consistent with the hypotheses, negative age stereotypes as well as age discrimination predicted chronic pain, and age attribution acted as a mediator between the negative age stereotypes and chronic pain. In a subset of participants who were free of chronic pain at baseline, those who had assimilated negative age stereotypes were 32% more likely to develop chronic pain in the next seven years than those who had assimilated positive age stereotypes. CONCLUSION Our finding that the three societal-based and modifiable predictors contributed to chronic pain refutes the widely held belief that chronic pain experienced in later life is entirely and inevitably a consequence of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Becca R Levy
- Social and Behavioral Science Department, Yale School of Public Health, USA; Psychology Department, Yale University, USA.
| | - Robert H Pietrzak
- Social and Behavioral Science Department, Yale School of Public Health, USA; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, USA
| | - Martin D Slade
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, USA
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Crombie KM, Azar A, Botsford C, Heilicher M, Moughrabi N, Gruichich TS, Schomaker CM, Dunsmoor JE, Cisler JM. Aerobic exercise after extinction learning reduces return of fear and enhances memory of items encoded during extinction learning. Ment Health Phys Act 2023; 24:100510. [PMID: 37065640 PMCID: PMC10104454 DOI: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2023.100510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Fear conditioning paradigms are widely used in laboratory settings to discover treatments that enhance memory consolidation and various fear processes (extinction learning, limit return of fear) that are relevant targets of exposure-based therapies. However, traditional lab-based paradigms often use the exact same conditioned stimuli for acquisition and extinction (typically differentiated with a context manipulation), whereas the opposite is true in clinical settings, as exposure therapy rarely (if ever) uses precisely the exact same stimuli from an individual's learning history. Accordingly, this study utilized a novel three-day category-based fear conditioning protocol (that uses categories of non-repeating objects [animals and tools] as conditioned stimuli during fear conditioning and extinction) to determine if aerobic exercise enhances the consolidation of extinction learning (reduces return of fear) and memory (for items encoded during extinction) during subsequent tests of extinction recall. Participants (n=40) completed a fear acquisition (day 1), fear extinction (day 2), and extinction recall (day 3) protocol. On day 1, participants completed a fear acquisition task in which they were trained to associate a category of conditioned stimuli (CS+) with the occurrence of an unconditioned stimulus (US). On day 2, participants were administered a fear extinction procedure during which CS+ and CS- categorical stimuli were presented in absence of the occurrence of the US. After completing the task, participants were randomly assigned to either receive moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (EX) or a light-intensity control (CON) condition. On day 3, participants completed fear recall tests (during which day 1, day 2, and novel CS+ and CS- stimuli were presented). Fear responding was assessed via threat expectancy ratings and skin conductance responses (SCR). During the fear recall tests, the EX group reported significantly lower threat expectancy ratings to the CS+ and CS- and exhibited greater memory of CS+ and CS- stimuli that were previously presented during day 2. There were no significant group differences for SCR. These results suggests that administration of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise following extinction learning contributes to reduced threat expectancies during tests of fear recall and enhanced memory of items encoded during extinction.
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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, Texas, United States of America 78712
| | - Ameera Azar
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, Texas, United States of America 78712
| | - Chloe Botsford
- University of Wisconsin – Madison, Department of Psychiatry, 6001 Research Park Boulevard, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America, 53719
| | - Mickela Heilicher
- University of Wisconsin – Madison, Department of Psychiatry, 6001 Research Park Boulevard, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America, 53719
| | - Nicole Moughrabi
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, Texas, United States of America 78712
| | - Tijana Sagorac Gruichich
- University of Wisconsin – Madison, Department of Psychiatry, 6001 Research Park Boulevard, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America, 53719
| | - Chloe M. Schomaker
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, Texas, United States of America 78712
| | - Joseph E. Dunsmoor
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, Texas, United States of America 78712
| | - Josh M. Cisler
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, Texas, United States of America 78712
- Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, 1601 Trinity Street, Building B, Austin, Texas, United States of America 78712
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42
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Barnicot K, Parker J, Kalwarowsky S, Stevens E, Iles J, Ramchandani P, Crawford M. Mother and clinician experiences of a trial of a video feedback parent-infant intervention for mothers experiencing difficulties consistent with 'personality disorder': A qualitative interview study. Psychol Psychother 2023; 96:480-503. [PMID: 36811224 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12453] [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: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We explored mothers' and clinicians' experiences of a video feedback intervention adapted for perinatal 'personality disorder' (VIPP-PMH) and the acceptability of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) examining its effectiveness. DESIGN In-depth qualitative interviews with participants from a two-phase feasibility study of the VIPP-PMH intervention. Participants were mothers experiencing enduring difficulties in managing emotions and relationships, consistent with a 'personality disorder', and their 6- to 36-month-old children. METHODS Forty-four qualitative interviews were conducted, including all nine mothers receiving VIPP-PMH during the pilot phase, 25 of the 34 mothers participating in the RCT (14 allocated to the VIPP-PMH arm and 9 from the control arm), 11 of the 12 clinicians delivering VIPP-PMH and one researcher. Interview data were thematically analysed. RESULTS Mothers described feeling motivated to take part in the research and understood the need for randomisation. Research visits were largely experienced positively, with some suggestions for improvement in questionnaire timing and accessibility. Almost all mothers initially felt anxious about being filmed, but reported positive experiences of the intervention, particularly valuing its non-judgemental, positive and child-focussed nature, their supportive relationship with the therapist and the insights they gained on their child. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate the likely feasibility and acceptability of undertaking a future definitive RCT of the VIPP-PMH intervention in this population. In designing a future trial, a positive and non-judgemental therapeutic relationship will be important to allay mothers' anxieties about being filmed, and careful consideration should be given to the timing and accessibility of questionnaires used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Barnicot
- Research and Development, Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Health Services Research and Management, City University of London, London, UK
| | - Jennie Parker
- Research and Development, Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sarah Kalwarowsky
- Research and Development, Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Eloise Stevens
- Research and Development, Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jane Iles
- Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | | | - Mike Crawford
- Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Karstoft KI, Armour C. What we talk about when we talk about trauma: Content overlap and heterogeneity in the assessment of trauma exposure. J Trauma Stress 2023; 36:71-82. [PMID: 36161361 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The accurate definition and assessment of trauma exposure is the foundation for replicable studies of mental health problems following trauma exposure. However, scales developed to assess trauma exposure might vary widely in terms of item content; overlap; and specifications of trauma intensity, frequency, duration, and timing. We compared eight frequently used self-report measures of trauma exposure to address content overlap and measurement heterogeneity. Combined, these measures assess 44 disparate exposures. Mean overlap across scales was moderate (M = 0.41, range: 0.25-0.48 across scales). Pairwise overlap between scales ranged from .19 to .59. We found 18 exposures (40.9%) that were included in one scale and three exposures (6.8%) that were included in all eight scales. Four of the included scales assess trauma frequency, five assess intensity or perceived danger, two assess duration, and four assess timing. The implications of measurement heterogeneity for clinical research as well as for comparability and replication of trauma-related research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chérie Armour
- Research Centre for Stress Trauma and Related Conditions (STARC), School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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Barnes GL, Emsley R, Garety P, Hardy A. Identifying victimisation profiles in people with psychosis and a history of childhood trauma: a latent class analysis. PSYCHOSIS 2023; 15:66-76. [PMID: 36896247 PMCID: PMC9988302 DOI: 10.1080/17522439.2021.2009903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Background People with psychosis experience higher rates of childhood victimisation compared to the general population, which may impact on mental health and recovery. This study aimed to identify childhood victimisation profiles in a clinical sample to inform recommendations for routine care. Methods Participants were 146 adults (ages 19-65 years; M = 42.2) with schizophrenia-spectrum diagnoses reporting trauma. Childhood trauma was assessed using two retrospective measures, and a latent class analysis (LCA) was performed on four trauma types (sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse and neglect). Multinomial logistic regression investigated demographic differences between the classes. Results Four distinct childhood trauma classes were identified: Emotional abuse/neglect (n = 29); physical abuse (n = 14); sexual abuse (n = 19); and poly-victimisation (n = 84). There were no differences between the classes in terms of age, ethnicity, relationship status, education or current employment (relative risk (RR) = 0.85-1.27, p > 0.05). Participants in the poly-victimisation class were significantly more likely to be female (RR = 0.22-0.28, p < 0.04). Discussion Adults with psychosis, particularly females, are likely to report poly-victimisation in childhood. This highlights the need to comprehensively but concisely assess experiences of abuse and neglect in clinical care, in line with trauma-informed approaches.
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45
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Barnes GL, Emsley R, Garety P, Hardy A. Investigating Specific Associations Between Childhood Victimization Profiles and Positive Psychosis Symptoms: The Mediating Roles of Anxiety, Depression, and Schema. SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN OPEN 2023; 4:sgad017. [PMID: 37398699 PMCID: PMC10313155 DOI: 10.1093/schizbullopen/sgad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Childhood trauma is a risk factor for psychosis. It is proposed this is due to traumatic events giving rise to psychological mechanisms that are implicated in the development and maintenance of symptoms. Investigation of the psychological mechanisms accounting for relationships between trauma and psychosis will be assisted by focusing on specific trauma profiles, hallucination modalities, and delusion subtypes. Study Design In 171 adults with schizophrenia-spectrum diagnoses and high-conviction delusions, associations between childhood trauma classes, and hallucination and delusion factors, were tested using structural equation models (SEMs). Anxiety, depression, and negative schema were examined as potential mediators of trauma class-psychosis symptom factor links. Study Results Significant associations were found between the emotional abuse/neglect and poly-victimization classes with persecutory delusions and delusions of influence, that were all mediated through anxiety (β = 1.24-0.23, P = < .05). There was an association between the physical abuse class and grandiose/religious delusions that was not explained by the mediators (β = 1.86, P = < .05). Trauma class was not significantly associated with any hallucination modality (β = 0.004-1.46, P = > .05). Conclusions In a sample of people with strongly held delusions, this study demonstrates that childhood victimization is associated with delusions of influence and grandiose beliefs, as well as with persecutory delusions in psychosis. Consistent with previous findings, the potent, mediating role of anxiety supports affective pathway theories and the utility of targeting threat-related processes when treating trauma effects in psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina L Barnes
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, London, UK
| | - Richard Emsley
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Philippa Garety
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, London, UK
| | - Amy Hardy
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, London, UK
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Mendlowicz V, Garcia-Rosa ML, Gekker M, Wermelinger L, Berger W, Luz MPD, Pires-Dias PRT, Marques-Portela C, Figueira I, Mendlowicz MV. Post-traumatic stress disorder as a predictor for incident hypertension: a 3-year retrospective cohort study. Psychol Med 2023; 53:132-139. [PMID: 33849680 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721001227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of the present study was to investigate the association between PTSD and the onset of hypertension in previously normotensive individuals in a population living in the stressful environment of the urban slums while controlling for risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS Participants were 320 normotensive individuals who lived in slums and were attending a family doctor program. Measurements included a questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, clinical status and life habits, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - Civilian Version, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Incident hypertension was defined as the first occurrence at the follow-up review of the medical records of (1) systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher, (2) the participant started taking antihypertensive medication, or (3) a new diagnosis of hypertension made by a physician. Differences in sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics between hypertensive and non-hypertensive individuals were compared using the χ2 and t tests. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Six variables - age, educational level, body mass, smoking, diabetes, and PTSD diagnosis - showed a statistically significant (p ≤ 0.20) association with the hypertensive status. In the Cox regression, only PTSD diagnosis was significantly associated with incident hypertension (multivariate HR = 1.94; 95% CI 1.11-3.40). CONCLUSIONS The present findings highlight the importance of considering a diagnostic hypothesis of PTSD in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Luiza Garcia-Rosa
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Universidade Federal Fluminense (MEB-UFF), Niteroi, Brazil
| | - Marcio Gekker
- Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - William Berger
- Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana Pires de Luz
- Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Carla Marques-Portela
- Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ivan Figueira
- Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mauro Vitor Mendlowicz
- Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Universidade Federal Fluminense (MSM-UFF), Niteroi, Brazil
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Mersky J, Plummer Lee C, Janczewski C. Adverse adult experiences and health outcomes: Racial and ethnic differences in a low-income sample. Stress Health 2022. [PMID: 36427247 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3212] [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: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Extending research on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), this study aimed to investigate whether the prevalence of and outcomes associated with adverse adult experiences vary among racial and ethnic subgroups. Survey data were collected from 1566 low-income women in Wisconsin using the Adult Experiences Survey (AES). Ten major adult adversities were assessed, including items that reference an intimate partner or household member (e.g., physical or emotional abuse, substance use) along with other social and economic stressors such as homelessness and discrimination. Adverse adult experiences were highly prevalent overall, but even more so among non-Hispanic Whites than their Black and Hispanic counterparts. The results reinforce prior research on ACEs in low-income populations. Lending further credence to these findings, tests of measurement invariance indicated that the AES demonstrated acceptable configural and scalar invariance across racial and ethnic groups. As expected, greater exposure to adult adversity was significantly related to poorer physical and mental health. These associations manifested cross-sectionally and longitudinally for observed and latent measures of adult adversity-even after controlling for ACEs. Associations between adult adversity and health were not moderated by race/ethnicity. In sum, adverse adult experiences were unequally distributed across racial/ethnic groups, but the consequences associated with adversity appeared to be evenly dispersed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Mersky
- Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, Institute for Child and Family Well-being, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - ChienTi Plummer Lee
- Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, Institute for Child and Family Well-being, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Colleen Janczewski
- Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, Institute for Child and Family Well-being, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Rankine J, Fuhrman B, Copperman E, Miller E, Culyba A. School Absenteeism Among Middle School Students With High Exposure to Violence. Acad Pediatr 2022; 22:1300-1308. [PMID: 35342032 PMCID: PMC9509495 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2022.03.012] [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: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chronic school absenteeism is linked to failure to graduate high school and poor health in adulthood. Contextual factors associated with absenteeism may be under-recognized in school and clinical settings. We examined the prevalence of self-reported absenteeism and violence exposure and their association among middle school students with identified risk of trauma. METHODS We analyzed baseline data from a dating violence prevention program. Participants completed surveys identifying lifetime exposure to 10 types of violence and past 30-day absence. Violence exposure and absenteeism were summarized and compared across demographic groups. Generalized linear models examined associations between 1) any history of violence exposure, 2) each type of violence exposure, and 3) summed exposures to different types of violence, and frequent absenteeism (≥2 absences in past 30 days). RESULTS Of all participants (overall n = 499), 45.5% reported frequent absenteeism and 71.5% reported violence exposure. Any self-reported violence exposure was associated with absenteeism (aRR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.06-1.92). However, no specific type of violence exposure predicted absenteeism. Comparing summed exposures to different types of violence to no violence exposure, exposure to 1 type of violence was associated with absenteeism (aRR = 1.59, 95%CI: 1.15-2.20), with no evidence of stronger associations with greater exposure (2-3 types: aRR = 1.37, 95%CI: 1.00-1.88; ≥4 types: aRR = 1.31, 95%CI: 0.98-1.74). CONCLUSIONS Youth in this sample reported both high rates of violence exposure and absenteeism. Prior violence exposure was associated with absenteeism. Resources and contextual support for youth exposed to family or community violence may play a role in school attendance, emphasizing need for trauma-sensitive approaches to absenteeism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelin Rankine
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 120 Lytton Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa.
| | - Barbara Fuhrman
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 120 Lytton Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Ethan Copperman
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 120 Lytton Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Elizabeth Miller
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 120 Lytton Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Alison Culyba
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 120 Lytton Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa
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The unseen epidemic: trauma and loneliness in urban midlife women. Womens Midlife Health 2022; 8:11. [PMID: 36289545 PMCID: PMC9608918 DOI: 10.1186/s40695-022-00080-z] [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: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Connectedness and attachment are vital parts of humanity. Loneliness, a state of distress in reaction to perceived detachment and isolation, is reported by over one-third of U.S. adults and is associated with numerous physical and mental health consequences. What contributes to loneliness, especially in women and minority populations, is poorly understood, but this population is also at greater risk for abuse and trauma. Our study aimed to further understand loneliness in urban midlife women and to explore the relationship that may exist with trauma(s). Methods To identify primacies for mental health care, female midlife participants (N=50) of a long-standing urban community-based cohort focused on health improvement completed a one-time audiotaped interview with both quantitative assessments and a qualitative interview. Loneliness was assessed by the UCLA 3-item Loneliness Scale. Using semi-structured interviews, open-ended questions facilitated a discussion regarding mental health needs and experiences. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed following a grounded theory methodology. Themes around loneliness and trauma emerged. The transcripts were coded using the same methodology and coders as the individual interviews. Twenty women participated in two optional focus groups. Results Participants had a mean age of 50, with the majority identifying as Black/African American (N=37) and unemployed (N=33). Three themes emerged regarding perceived causes of loneliness: trauma, the burden of responsibilities for others, and secondary to unhealthy relationships. Loneliness associated with trauma will be explored here; other themes are beyond the scope of this paper and will be discussed in subsequent analyses. Quantitative results suggest that physical abuse (loneliness scores 5.4 vs. 4.0, p=0.003), as well as emotional abuse and neglect (loneliness scores 5.6 vs. 4.4, p=0.01), were associated with greater loneliness. Conclusion In urban midlife low-income women, lifetime physical abuse and emotional abuse/neglect are associated with increased feelings of loneliness. Qualitative data provide insight into how participants viewed their traumatic histories, ways in which the trauma has ongoing influence, and how they experience loneliness. Though further investigation is needed, trauma-informed approaches should be considered in both primary care and mental health settings with a focus on mitigating loneliness and providing appropriate support and trauma treatment. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40695-022-00080-z.
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Sinko L, James R, Hughesdon K. Healing After Gender-Based Violence: A Qualitative Metasynthesis Using Meta-Ethnography. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2022; 23:1184-1203. [PMID: 33576327 DOI: 10.1177/1524838021991305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant violation of human rights, requiring specific understanding of how individuals heal and recover after these experiences. This article reports on findings of a qualitative metasynthesis that examined the nature of healing after GBV through the perspectives of female-identifying survivors. Empirical studies were identified by a search of peer-reviewed articles via electronic databases. Studies were included for review if they were available in the English language, reported on qualitative studies that directly engaged female-identifying survivors of GBV, and were aiming to understand the GBV healing journey, process, or goals. After our initial search, 1,107 articles were reviewed by title and abstract and 47 articles were reviewed for full text. Twenty-six peer-reviewed articles were included for the review and were analyzed using meta-ethnography. Key findings included the recovery journey as a nonlinear, iterative experience that requires active engagement and patience. Healing was composed of (1) trauma processing and reexamination, (2) managing negative states, (3) rebuilding the self, (4) connecting with others, and (5) regaining hope and power. "Shifts" or "turning points" are also mentioned which catalyzed healing prioritization. This article aggregates and examines the scientific literature to date on GBV healing and provides articulation of the limitations, gaps in evidence, and areas for intervention. The article considers implications for future research, policy, and practice and, in particular, focuses our attention on the need to expand our knowledge of alternative recovery pathways and mechanisms for healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sinko
- 14640Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Richard James
- Biomedical Library, 6572University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kathryn Hughesdon
- School of Nursing, 8759Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, USA
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