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Elklit A, Vangsgaard LAG, Olsen ASW, Ali SA. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms in Secondary Stalked Children of Danish Stalking Survivors-A Pilot Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16050725. [PMID: 30823416 PMCID: PMC6427628 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16050725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There is a lack of research examining secondary stalking and its effect on children who, in many cases, can be direct targets, or secondary survivors, of the stalking of their parent. The present study examines trauma reactions in children of stalking survivors in a Danish sample. It investigates the differences and similarities of such reactions across three age groups. Fifty-seven children were divided into groups depending on their age. The symptoms of the youngest group, 0–6-year-olds, were investigated by way of a maternal diagnostic interview. The two older groups, 7–11- and 12–19-year-olds completed the age-appropriate questionnaires, “Darryl” and “HTQ”, respectively, online. Twenty-two percent of the youngest group met the criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Eighty-five percent of the middle age group and 58% of the older age group met PTSD diagnostic criteria. The findings illustrate that reactions to secondary stalking were predominantly within the arousal cluster of PTSD symptomology, with sleep disturbances and irritability commonly reported. The overall prevalence of children meeting PTSD diagnostic criteria in the sample was 56%. Future studies will benefit from larger samples and from knowledge of any pre-existing relationship between parent and stalker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ask Elklit
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.
| | | | - Anne Sophie Witt Olsen
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.
| | - Sara Al Ali
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.
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Dai W, Liu A, Kaminga AC, Deng J, Lai Z, Yang J, Wen SW. Prevalence of acute stress disorder among road traffic accident survivors: a meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2018; 18:188. [PMID: 29895273 PMCID: PMC5998549 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-018-1769-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Road traffic accident (RTA), an unexpected traumatic event, may not only lead to death and serious physical injuries, but also could put survivors at an increased risk for a wide range of psychiatric disorders, particularly acute stress disorder (ASD). Early assessment of trauma-related psychological responses is important because acute trauma responses in the early post-traumatic period are among the robust predictors of long-term mental health problems. However, estimates of the prevalence of ASD among RTA survivors varied considerably across studies. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to identify the pooled prevalence of ASD among RTA survivors. METHODS A systematic literature search in the databases of PubMed, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Embase and Web of Science was performed from their inception dates to December 2017. Subject headings were used to identify relevant articles, and the search strategy was adjusted across databases. Heterogeneity across studies was evaluated by Cochran's χ2 test and quantified by the I2 statistic. Subgroup analyses were performed to identify the pooled prevalence in relation to the country of study, instrument used to identify ASD, age, gender and traumatic brain injury. When significant heterogeneity was observed, the influence of some potential moderators was explored using meta-regression analyses. RESULTS Thirteen eligible studies conducted in 8 countries were included. A total of 2989 RTA survivors were assessed, of which 287 were identified with ASD. The overall heterogeneity was high across studies (I2=96.8%, P < 0.001), and the pooled prevalence of ASD among RTA survivors was 15.81% (95% confidence interval: 8.27-25.14%). Subgroup analyses indicated that the prevalence of ASD among RTA survivors differed significantly with regard to the country of study, instrument used to identify ASD, age and gender (P < 0.05). Meta-regression analyses showed that mean age of participants and quality assessment score were significant moderators for heterogeneity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Nearly one-sixth of RTA survivors suffer from ASD, indicating the need for regular assessment of early trauma responses among RTA survivors, as well as the importance of implementing early psychological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Dai
- 0000 0001 0379 7164grid.216417.7Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China ,0000 0001 2182 2255grid.28046.38OMNI Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Canada ,0000 0000 9606 5108grid.412687.eOttawa Hospital Research Institute, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa, ON Canada ,0000 0001 2182 2255grid.28046.38School of Epidemiology, Public Health, and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Aizhong Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Atipatsa C. Kaminga
- 0000 0001 0379 7164grid.216417.7Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China ,grid.442592.cDepartment of Mathematics, Mzuzu University, Mzuzu, Malawi
| | - Jing Deng
- 0000 0001 0379 7164grid.216417.7Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China
| | - Zhiwei Lai
- Immunization Programme Department, Hunan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Changsha, Hunan China
| | - Jianzhou Yang
- grid.254020.1Department of Preventive Medicine, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi China
| | - Shi Wu Wen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,OMNI Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. .,Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa, ON, Canada. .,School of Epidemiology, Public Health, and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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Murphy S, Elklit A, Murphy J, Hyland P, Shevlin M. A Cross-Lagged Panel Study of Dissociation and Posttraumatic Stress in a Treatment-Seeking Sample of Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse. J Clin Psychol 2017; 73:1370-1381. [DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Shevlin M, Boyda D, Elklit A, Murphy S. Adult attachment styles and the psychological response to infant bereavement. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2014; 5:23295. [PMID: 24839541 PMCID: PMC4023106 DOI: 10.3402/ejpt.v5.23295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on Bowlby's attachment theory, Bartholomew proposed a four-category attachment typology by which individuals judged themselves and adult relationships. This explanatory model has since been used to help explain the risk of psychiatric comorbidity. OBJECTIVE The current study aimed to identify attachment typologies based on Bartholomew's attachment styles in a sample of bereaved parents on dimensions of closeness/dependency and anxiety. In addition, it sought to assess the relationship between the resultant attachment typology with a range of psychological trauma variables. METHOD The current study was based on a sample of 445 bereaved parents who had experienced either peri- or post-natal death of an infant. Adult attachment was assessed using the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS) while reaction to trauma was assessed using the Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC). A latent profile analysis was conducted on scores from the RAAS closeness/dependency and anxiety subscales to ascertain if there were underlying homogeneous attachment classes. Emergent classes were used to determine if these were significantly different in terms of mean scores on TSC scales. RESULTS A four-class solution was considered the optimal based on fit statistics and interpretability of the results. Classes were labelled "Fearful," "Preoccupied," "Dismissing," and "Secure." Females were almost eight times more likely than males to be members of the fearful attachment class. This class evidenced the highest scores across all TSC scales while the secure class showed the lowest scores. CONCLUSIONS The results are consistent with Bartholomew's four-category attachment styles with classes representing secure, fearful, preoccupied, and dismissing types. While the loss of an infant is a devastating experience for any parent, securely attached individuals showed the lowest levels of psychopathology compared to fearful, preoccupied, or dismissing attachment styles. This may suggest that a secure attachment style is protective against trauma-related psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Shevlin
- School of Psychology and Psychology Research Institute, University of Ulster at Magee, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
| | - David Boyda
- School of Psychology and Psychology Research Institute, University of Ulster at Magee, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
| | - Ask Elklit
- National Centre of Psychotraumatology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Siobhan Murphy
- School of Psychology and Psychology Research Institute, University of Ulster at Magee, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
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Murphy S, Shevlin M, Elklit A. Psychological Consequences of Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death in a Sample of Bereaved Parents. JOURNAL OF LOSS & TRAUMA 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/15325024.2012.735531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Ditlevsen DN, Elklit A. Gender, trauma type, and PTSD prevalence: a re-analysis of 18 nordic convenience samples. Ann Gen Psychiatry 2012; 11:26. [PMID: 23107002 PMCID: PMC3494556 DOI: 10.1186/1744-859x-11-26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2011] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to examine a possible trauma type related variance in the gender difference of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence. METHODS An analysis was conducted on 18 convenience sample studies including data from a total of 5220 participants. The studies all applied the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire - part IV to assess PTSD. Cohen's d was used to measure variance in gender differences. Trauma types included disasters and accidents, violence, loss, chronic disease and non-malignant diseases. RESULTS The results showed an overall gender difference in PTSD prevalence similar to previous findings. Thus, women had a two-fold higher prevalence of PTSD than men. Besides categorical analyses, dimensional analyses of PTSD severity were also performed; the latter were associated with twice as large effect sizes. Females were more vulnerable to PTSD after disasters and accidents, followed by loss and non-malignant diseases. In violence and chronic disease, the gender differences were smallest. CONCLUSIONS The findings support the existence of a trauma type related variance in gender differences in PTSD prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel N Ditlevsen
- National Centre for Psychotraumatology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense M, DK, 5230, Denmark
| | - Ask Elklit
- National Centre for Psychotraumatology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense M, DK, 5230, Denmark
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Semb O, Strömsten LM, Sundbom E, Fransson P, Henningsson M. Distress after a Single Violent Crime: How Shame-Proneness and Event-Related Shame Work Together as Risk Factors for Post-Victimization Symptoms. Psychol Rep 2011; 109:3-23. [DOI: 10.2466/02.09.15.16.pr0.109.4.3-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
To increase understanding of post-victimization symptom development, the present study investigated the role of shame- and guilt-proneness and event-related shame and guilt as potential risk factors. 35 individuals ( M age = 31.7 yr.; 48.5% women), recently victimized by a single event of severe violent crime, were assessed regarding shame- and guilt-proneness, event-related shame and guilt, and post-victimization symptoms. The mediating role of event-related shame was investigated with structural equation modeling (SEM), using bootstrapping. The guilt measures were unrelated to each other and to post-victimization symptoms. The shame measures were highly intercorrelated and were both positively correlated to more severe post-victimization symptom levels. Event-related shame as mediator between shame-proneness and post-victimization symptoms was demonstrated by prevalent significant indirect effects. Both shame measures are potent risk factors for distress after victimization, whereby part of the effect of shame-proneness on post-victimization symptoms is explained by event-related shame.
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Boccellari A, Alvidrez J, Shumway M, Kelly V, Merrill G, Gelb M, Smart S, Okin RL. Characteristics and psychosocial needs of victims of violent crime identified at a public-sector hospital: data from a large clinical trial. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2007; 29:236-43. [PMID: 17484941 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2007.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2006] [Revised: 01/10/2007] [Accepted: 01/12/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study explores the feasibility of recruiting acutely injured public-sector crime victims into a research protocol and identifies baseline characteristics associated with posttraumatic distress in the enrolled sample (N=541). METHOD Assertive research tracking methods were used to enroll participants, who completed baseline interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to define characteristics of the sample and prevalence of psychosocial problems and posttraumatic distress. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of posttraumatic distress. RESULTS A high percentage (78%) of eligible victims completed baseline interviews within 1 month of victimization. The sample was largely male, ethnic minority, unemployed and living below the poverty level. Trauma symptoms were highly prevalent, with three quarters having significant posttraumatic distress. Female gender, preexisting psychiatric disorder, trauma history, case management needs and employment status were predictive of greater symptomatology. Stabbing victims had lower distress. CONCLUSIONS Comprehensive mental health and case management services that proactively engage disadvantaged victims are needed to meet the complex problems of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Boccellari
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.
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Sarkar NN, Sarkar R. Sexual assault on woman: Its impact on her life and living in society. SEXUAL AND RELATIONSHIP THERAPY 2005. [DOI: 10.1080/14681990500249502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Elklit A, Brink O. Acute stress disorder as a predictor of post-traumatic stress disorder in physical assault victims. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2004; 19:709-726. [PMID: 15140320 DOI: 10.1177/0886260504263872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The authors' objective was to examine the ability of acute stress disorder (ASD) and other trauma-related factors in a group of physical assault victims in predicting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 6 months later. Subjects included 214 victims of violence who completed a questionnaire 1 to 2 weeks after the assault, with 128 participating in the follow-up. Measures included the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, the Trauma Symptom Checklist, and the Crisis Support Scale. Twenty-two percent met the full PTSD diagnosis and 22% a subclinical PTSD diagnosis. Previous lifetime shock due to a traumatic event happening to someone close, threats during the assault, and dissociation explained 56% of PTSD variance. Inability to express feelings, hypervigilance, impairment, and hopelessness explained another 15% of PTSD variance. The dissociative, the reexperiencing, the avoidant, and the arousal criteria of the ASD diagnosis correctly classified 79% of the subsequent PTSD cases.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptation, Psychological
- Adult
- Crime Victims/psychology
- Crime Victims/statistics & numerical data
- Denmark/epidemiology
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Life Change Events
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prognosis
- Severity of Illness Index
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/diagnosis
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/etiology
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology
- Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute/complications
- Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute/epidemiology
- Stress, Psychological/etiology
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Survivors/psychology
- Survivors/statistics & numerical data
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Affiliation(s)
- Ask Elklit
- Institute of Psychology, University of Aarhus, Denmark
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