Loving‐Kindness in the Treatment of Traumatized Refugees and Minority Groups: A Typology of Mindfulness and the Nodal Network Model of Affect and Affect Regulation

This article discusses how loving‐kindness can be used to treat traumatized refugees and minority groups, focusing on examples from our treatment, culturally adapted cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CA‐CBT). To show how we integrate loving‐kindness with other mindfulness interventions and why loving‐kindness should be an effective therapeutic technique, we present a typology of mindfulness states and the Nodal Network Model (NNM) of Affect and Affect Regulation. We argue that mindfulness techniques such as loving‐kindness are therapeutic for refugees and minority populations because of their potential for increasing emotional flexibility, decreasing rumination, serving as emotional regulation techniques, and forming part of a new adaptive processing mode centered on psychological flexibility. We present a case to illustrate the clinical use of loving‐kindness within the context of CA‐CBT.     

Posttraumatic stress disorder in outpatients with depression: Still a missed diagnosis

Comorbidity between major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a well-established fact but has been studied little among MDD patients and even less among outpatients. We assessed the prevalence and characteristics of comorbid MDD–PTSD patients in a sample of MDD outpatients in an effort to elucidate possible causes of MDD–PTSD comorbidity. A semistructured clinical interview was applied to 101 outpatients with MDD. Sociodemographic factors, psychiatric history, the presence of PTSD, and MDD–PTSD comorbidity were recorded. The prevalence of MDD–PTSD comorbidity was 38.6%, with 26.7% suffering currently from PTSD. The average duration of PTSD was 16 years, and in most cases (79.5%) PTSD started earlier than or simultaneously with MDD. Only 28.8% of patients with PTSD had a documented diagnosis in their medical record. The most significant factors predicting MDD–PTSD comorbidity were found to be chronic depression, a history of prolonged or repeated trauma, male gender, a younger age at onset of psychological symptoms, lower education, and a lower level of functioning. Our findings indicate that MDD–PTSD comorbidity still remains an overlooked fact. Prolonged trauma seems to be a major risk factor for MDD–PTSD comorbidity, predisposing subjects to PTSD and later on or simultaneously to comorbidity with MDD.     

Dissociation and Meditation

ABSTRCT

The purpose of the current paper is to compare meditational and dissociative states in terms of their effects on consciousness, attention, affect, cognition, identity, and pain sensitivity. To illustrate these dimensions of dissociation, a case example is presented of a veteran with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder who had particularly severe dissociation symptoms. The Classical Yoga literature is reviewed to examine these dimensions as they pertain to meditational states. Although dissociative and meditational states can involve alterations in consciousness, attention, affect, cognition, identity, and pain sensitivity, the nature of changes in these two states is distinct. Applications of meditation in treatment contexts have made use of some of the powerful techniques for attention control but do not incorporate the full range of practices because of the secular setting of treatment and the goal of symptom relief. The use of meditation as a treatment for dissociation has not been systematically evaluated.     

Current measures of PTSD for children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To review measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PSS) for children and adolescents. METHODS: We reviewed broad-based child mental health journals within the disciplines of pediatrics, child psychology, and trauma, from 1995 to 2004, to identify measures of PTSD and PSS for children and adolescents. The review includes a summary of the psychometric properties and associated features of the measures and the clinical domains and types of studies using each measure. RESULTS: Seven measures of PTSD and PSS were identified, including clinician-administered interviews and self-report questionnaires. Sixty-five articles containing the measures were categorized into eight trauma domains. We found there is little consensus over measures used within each trauma domain. CONCLUSIONS: Few measures of PTSD and PSS have been designed specifically for young people. Further directions for measurement of PTSD in this age group are discussed to prevent under-diagnosis and under-treatment for youth.     

正念疗法对产后抑郁患者干预效果的meta分析

目的:探讨正念疗法对产后抑郁患者的干预效果。方法:检索PubMed、Cochrane Library、EMbase、Web of Science、CNKI、万方数据库,检索正念疗法对产后抑郁患者疗效的相关文献,纳入随机对照试验,由2名研究人员根据纳入/排除标准提取数据,并根据Cochrane Handbook5.1.0手册进行文献质量评价。结果:共纳入6篇随机对照试验(RCT)和2篇自身对照研究的文献,合计404名患者。Meta分析结果显示,与常规护理方法相比,正念疗法能有效缓解产妇的抑郁和焦虑情绪。接受正念疗法的产后抑郁患者抑郁水平明显低于常规护理组[MD=3.01,95%CI(2.29,3.72),P<0.05]。结论:正念疗法能改善产后抑郁患者的焦虑、抑郁情绪。     

大学生童年期虐待与特质抑郁和正念的关系

目的:探讨大学生童年期虐待、特质抑郁和正念之间的关系。方法:选取大学生415名,采用童年期创伤问卷(CTQ)、状态-特质抑郁量表中特质抑郁分量表(T-DEP)和正念注意知觉量表(MAAS),分别测量大学生童年期虐待、特质抑郁和正念。结果:童年期虐待得分与特质抑郁得分呈正相关(r=0.4,P<0.01),与正念得分呈负相关(r=-0.37,P<0.01);正念在童年期虐待与特质抑郁得分关系中的调节作用有统计学意义(β_高=0.60、β_低=0.33,均P<0.001),与特质抑郁中快感缺失维度得分关系中的调节作用有统计学意义(β_高=0.75、β_低=0.31,均P<0.001)。结论:有童年期虐待经历的大学生表现出更高水平的特质抑郁,其特质抑郁受到正念的调节。     

Mindfulness-based touch therapy and mindfulness practice in persons with moderate depression

The goal of the study was to explore the effects of mindfulness-based touch therapy, a passive body-therapy intervention, in combination with the practice of mindfulness as an active meditative discipline, in patients with moderate recurring or episodic depression. The method under study is seen as a possible adjunct to psychotherapy and psychopharmacotherapy. The degree of depression before and after the therapy phase was determined according to Hamilton's scale. The outcome was a highly significant improvement in depressive illness, with a general alleviation of depressed mood, reduction in feelings of guilt, in suicidal thoughts and in sleep maintenance insomnia; increase in motivation in carrying out everyday activities; reduction in feelings of anxiety at both psychological and somatic levels and easing of general somatic symptoms. The results show that the method under study can serve persons suffering from depression as an adjunct to conventional therapeutic measures.     

Insomnia as predictor versus outcome of PTSD and depression among Iraq combat veterans

Objectives: The study conducted a longitudinal assessment of insomnia as an antecedent versus consequence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms among combat veterans. Design: Two postdeployment time points were used in combination with structural equation modeling to examine the relative strength of two possible directions of prediction: insomnia as a predictor of psychological symptoms, and psychological symptoms as a predictor of insomnia. Participants were active duty soldiers (N = 659) in a brigade combat team who were assessed 4 months after their return from a 12‐month deployment to Iraq, and then again eight months later. Results: Although both insomnia and psychological symptoms were associated at both time periods and across time periods, insomnia at 4 months postdeployment was a significant predictor of change in depression and PTSD symptoms at 12 months postdeployment, whereas depression and PTSD symptoms at 4 months postdeployment were not significant predictors of change in insomnia at 12 months postdeployment. Conclusions: Results support the role of insomnia in the development of additional psychological problems and highlight the clinical implications for combat veterans, to include the importance of longitudinal assessment and monitoring of sleep disturbances, and the need for early intervention. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 67:1–19, 2011.     

Posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms, alcohol use, and recurrent traumatic life events in a representative sample of hospitalized injured adolescents and their parents

OBJECTIVE: Few investigations have comprehensively assessed the scope of impairment of injured adolescents presenting to acute care inpatient settings. METHODS: Randomly sampled injured adolescent inpatients and their parents were screened for posttraumatic stress (PTS) and depressive symptoms, preinjury alcohol use, and preinjury trauma. Linear regression was used to assess which clinical, demographic, and injury characteristics were independently associated with increased levels of adolescent PTS and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Seventy percent of adolescent-parent dyads endorsed high levels of PTS or depressive symptoms and/or high preinjury alcohol use. Adolescent female gender, greater levels of preinjury trauma, greater subjective distress at the time of the injury, and greater parental depressive symptoms were independently associated with increased levels of adolescent PTS and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The adoption of early screening and intervention procedures that broadly consider the scope of impairment of injured adolescents and their family members could enhance the quality of acute care mental health service delivery.     

Brief report: quality of life is impaired in pediatric burn survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder

Objective This study assessed health-related quality of life(HRQOL) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in pediatricburn survivors and examined associations between PTSD and HRQOL.Methods Forty-three burn survivors, ages 7–16 years, wereinterviewed at an average of 4.4 years after their accidentusing the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Children andAdolescents and the TNO-AZL Child Quality of Life Questionnaire.Results Eight children (18.6%) met DSM-IV criteria for currentPTSD. While most dimensions of HRQOL were within normal limits,social functioning was impaired. Severity of PTSD was significantlyassociated with physical, cognitive, and emotional dimensionsof HRQOL. Children with PTSD reported an impaired overall HRQOLand limited physical (e.g., more bodily complaints) and emotionalfunctioning (e.g., more feelings of sadness). Conclusions Thisstudy provides tentative evidence for a considerably high prevalenceof PTSD in pediatric burn survivors and for a negative associationbetween PTSD and HRQOL.     

Association between intrusive negative autobiographical memories and depression: A meta‐analytic investigation

The study investigated several associations between depression and intrusive negative autobiographical memories. A systematic literature search identified 23 eligible studies (N = 2,582), which provided 59 effect sizes. Separate meta‐analyses indicated that depression was moderately, positively associated with intrusive memory frequency, memory distress, maladaptive memory appraisals, memory avoidance, and memory rumination. Intrusive memory vividness was not significantly associated with depression. There were insufficient data to examine the relationship between depression and memory vantage perspective. Between‐study heterogeneity was high for intrusive memory frequency and memory avoidance, and the percentage of females in studies significantly moderated the relationship between these variables and depression. An additional exploratory meta‐analysis (3 studies; N = 257) indicated that intrusive memories were experienced more frequently by those with posttraumatic stress disorder than those with depression. Overall, the findings suggest that intrusive memories warrant clinical attention as they may contribute to the maintenance of depressive symptomatology.