Secondary traumatization in Dutch couples of World War II survivors

This study examined whether signs of secondary traumatic stress were present in a community sample of couples who experienced World War II. The authors hypothesized that symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in either spouse may be predicted not only by his or her own war experiences but also by the war experiences and posttraumatic symptoms of the partner. Approximately 50 years after the end of World War II, 444 couples from a community sample of elderly Dutch citizens answered a questionnaire. A multilevel regression analysis was performed with symptoms of PTSD as the dependent variable. The most important predictors of PTSD symptoms were the number of war events reported by the participant and the current level of PTSD symptoms of his or her spouse. The results lend empirical support to the notion that posttraumatic stress reactions of both members of a couple are not independent from each other. Several explanations of the findings are discussed.     

Posttraumatic stress symptoms in parents of children with acute burns

OBJECTIVE: To develop a model of risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in parents of children with burns. METHODS: Immediately following the burn and 3 months later, parents reported on their children's and their own psychological functioning and traumatic stress responses. RESULTS: Approximately 47% of the parents reported experiencing significant posttraumatic stress symptoms 3 months after the burn. Our model indicates three independent pathways to PTSD symptoms (i.e., parent-child conflict, parents' dissociation, and children's PTSD symptoms). Additionally, parents' anxiety predicted increased parent-child conflict, conflict with extended family and size of the burn predicted parents' dissociation, and size of the burn and children's dissociation predicted children's PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that many parents of children with burns suffer from posttraumatic stress symptoms. Interventions that target factors such as family conflict, children's symptoms, and parents' acute anxiety and dissociation may diminish the risk for PTSD.     

Longitudinal association between infant disorganized attachment and childhood posttraumatic stress symptoms

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether children with a history of disorganized attachment in infancy were more likely than children without a history of disorganized attachment to exhibit symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at school age following trauma exposure. The sample consisted of 78 8.5-year-old children from a larger, ongoing prospective study evaluating the effects of intrauterine cocaine exposure (IUCE) on children's growth and development from birth to adolescence. At the 12-month visit, children's attachment status was scored from videotapes of infant-caregiver dyads in Ainsworth's strange situation. At the 8.5-year visit, children were administered the Violence Exposure Scale-Revised, a child-report trauma exposure inventory, and the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents by an experienced clinical psychologist masked to children's attachment status and IUCE status. Sixteen of the 78 children (21%) were classified as insecure-disorganized/insecure-other at 12 months. Poisson regressions covarying IUCE, gender, and continuity of maternal care indicated that disorganized attachment status at 12 months, compared with nondisorganized attachment status, significantly predicted both higher avoidance cluster PTSD symptoms and higher reexperiencing cluster PTSD symptoms. These findings suggest that the quality of early dyadic relationships may be linked to differences in children's later development of posttraumatic stress symptoms following a traumatic event.     

Reported trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression among primary care patients.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is a necessary diagnostic criterion for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the nature of traumas experienced (e.g. assaultive versus non-assaultive) may influence whether any mental disorder will arise. Traumatic experiences may also be associated with other mental disorders, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD). This report examines the relationship of trauma history to the likelihood of full or partial PTSD and MDD. In addition, the study examines the frequency with which assaultive and non-assaultive traumas are reported by patients with full or partial PTSD and MDD. METHODS: Three hundred eighty-six primary care patients completed psychiatric symptom measures during their clinic visit. A subset of 132 participants completed a diagnostic interview within 2 weeks following the screening. RESULTS: Most patients reporting traumas did not meet criteria for a mental disorder. Patients reporting traumas were more likely to experience current MDD (27.8%) than current full or partial PTSD (20.0%) although a high percentage of patients with traumas (41.1%) had experienced full or partial PTSD diagnosis in their lifetime. Respondents reporting assaultive events as their most severe trauma, when compared with those whose most severe trauma was non-assaultive, were more likely to have met criteria for either full or partial PTSD in their lifetime, and were more likely to have current MDD. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that trauma history is often not associated with psychopathology, and when it is, trauma is often associated with major depression rather than PTSD. The likelihood of psychopathology is increased for individuals reporting assaultive traumas.     

Peritraumatic Dissociation and Emotions as Predictors of PTSD Symptoms Following Childbirth

ABSTRACT

The current study investigated the contributive role of perinatal dissociative and perinatal emotional responses to the development of PTSD symptoms following childbirth. Method: Using a prospective, longitudinal design, 140 women were studied who were followed from the first week after delivery to three months postpartum. Results: Three women (2.1%) met criteria for PTSD and 21.4% reported a traumatic childbirth experience. Both perinatal negative emotional reactions and perinatal dissociative reactions were the predictors of PTSD symptoms at three months postpartum. The effect of perinatal dissociation, however, was partially mediated by perinatal emotional reactions. Conclusion: Posttraumatic stress disorder can be a consequence of the experience of childbirth. Women who reported high levels of negative emotions during and shortly after childbirth were more likely to develop PTSD symptoms than women who did not. Women who experienced an instrumental delivery and also reported higher levels of psychoform perinatal dissociation, were at higher risk than women who reported higher levels of perinatal dissociation during a spontaneous delivery. These findings add to the growing body of literature regarding traumatic childbirth and indicate that perinatal dissociative and emotional phenomena are associated with posttraumatic stress.     

Commentary on Braude's “Dissociation and Latent Abilities

ABSTRACT

This retrospective study investigated peritraumatic predictors (peritraumatic dissociation, negative emotions and physical anxiety symptoms experienced at the time of the traumatic event) of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among 98 French-speaking university students. Participants rated their lifetime experiences of traumatic events and, in response to their “most stressful” event, completed measures of PTSD symptoms and peritraumatic reactions. Approximately 67% of respondents (N = 75) reported at least one traumatic event. Negative emotions, peritraumatic dissociation, and physical anxiety symptoms at the time of the trauma were strong predictors of PTSD symptoms. These variables explained 38% of the variance in PTSD symptoms. Results are discussed with respect to immediate reactions to traumatic events as potential precursors of PTSD symptomatology.     

Brief report: the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder in mothers of children diagnosed with pediatric cancer and type I diabetes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of and predictors of enduring and late-onset posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among mothers of children diagnosed with type I diabetes and cancer. METHOD: Mothers (N = 99) of children diagnosed with cancer or diabetes for at least 12 months completed a structured clinical interview for PTSD and self-report measures of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stressful life events. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the rate of PTSD between the two groups. Overall, fewer mothers (7%) met criteria for PTSD on the structured clinical interview than those on a self-report measure of PTSD (17%). Mothers who reported more depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stressful life events tended to report significantly more PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The findings extend prior research regarding the prevalence rate and predictors of PTSD and PTSD symptoms in pediatric populations. It is recommended that clinicians exercise caution when interpreting prevalence rates for PTSD that are derived from self-report measures.     

The Role of Anxiety Control and Treatment Implications of Informant Agreement on Child PTSD Symptoms

The goal of this study is to examine parent and child agreement of child posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms pre- and posttreatment, as well as potential moderators of agreement including treatment responder status, child anxiety control, and parent self-reported PTSD symptoms. We examined child self-reported and parent-reported child PTSD symptoms from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children. Of the 141 parent–child pairs, the mean age of children was 12.72 (SD = 3.40), 53% were female, and 54% were Black. A subsample of participants (n = 47) was assessed after completion of a cognitive behavioral therapy treatment for PTSD. Moderate levels of agreement were found at baseline, though Criterion D (increased arousal) symptoms had lower levels of agreement than the other symptom clusters. Symptom agreement was lower at posttreatment. Treatment responders had higher levels of baseline informant agreement than treatment nonresponders. Child perceived anxiety control significantly moderated informant agreement, such that pairs with children who had high levels of perceived control of their anxiety had lower PTSD symptom agreement where children reported lower symptoms relative to their parents. Contrary to expectations, parent self-reported PTSD did not moderate parent–child symptom agreement. Factors associated with higher parent–child agreement of child PTSD symptoms were being a PTSD treatment responder and children with lower perceived anxiety control. These findings have potential implications for determining those who may benefit from greater symptom monitoring over the course of intervention and potential alternative intervention approaches.     

CBT for Child PTSD is Associated with Reductions in Maternal Depression: Evidence for Bidirectional Effects

Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques are empirically supported for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in youth, but the role of parents in such treatments is less clear. Theoretically there may be a reciprocal relationship such that as children improve, their parents may feel better, and conversely as parents feel better, psychologically the child may improve or improve at a greater rate. This study tested if there were indirect effects of change in child PTSD symptoms on change in parent depression symptoms, and vice versa, across treatment sessions. The data came from a randomized trial of treatment for PTSD and included youth (N = 47) 7–18 years old (51.1% female; ethnicity was reported as 40.4% White and 40.4% Black, with the remainder reporting Mixed [17%] or other ethnicity [2.1%]) who had been exposed to trauma and experienced significant PTSD symptoms. Maternal depression and child PTSD symptoms were assessed at each session. Maternal perceptions of who changed first were also assessed at posttreatment. Maternal depression significantly decreased over the course of treatment, and maternal depression had an indirect effect on child PTSD symptom change. Evidence for the reciprocal relationship, child symptom change having an indirect effect on parent symptom change, was also found. Age, gender, and treatment condition did not moderate these indirect effects. Findings highlight the potential benefits of child therapy on parents and the reciprocal benefits of improved parent symptoms on the child.     

The psychological effects of political and domestic violence on Central American and Mexican immigrant mothers and children

The goal of this study was to compare the psychosocial adjustment of 70 immigrant mothers and their children from Mexico and countries in Central America. In particular, we traced the effects of political violence on Central American refugee families and domestic violence on resettled Mexican women and children. Mothers and children were interviewed about political and domestic violence they had witnessed and experienced, and their current mental health, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Central American refugee children appeared indistinguishable on mental health indices from Mexican children residing in violent homes. Both groups of children had elevated psychological symptoms when compared to Mexican immigrant children from nonviolent backgrounds. Central American mothers were most likely to meet the clinical criteria of post-traumatic stress disorder. We examined whether the mothers' post-traumatic stress symptoms, fathers' demise, or general stressors mediated the effects of violence on the children's mental health. The overall effects of war on children are mediated by maternal mental health and the specific associated risk of having lost a father to violent death. Mexican immigrant children were additionally affected by their mothers' employment. Our findings show similar effects on children of growing up with different forms of violence.     

Psychological Consequences of Human Trafficking: Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Trafficked Children

Trafficked children are frequently exposed to multiple traumatic events, including during their recruitment, transit, and exploitation. It has been hypothesized that such exposures can lead to the development of Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Complex PTSD includes (in addition to the core PTSD symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal) disturbances in affect regulation, dissociation, self-concept, interpersonal relationships, somatization, and systems of meaning. This historical cohort study aimed to investigate Complex PTSD in trafficked children with a diagnosis of PTSD and compare these with nontrafficked controls exposed to single or multiple trauma. Trafficked children were identified by keyword searches of the electronic health records of more than 250,000 mental health service users; a matched cohort of nontrafficked children was randomly selected. Regression models compared the number of Complex PTSD symptoms in trafficked children and non-trafficked children who had experienced multiple or single trauma. Fifty-one trafficked children were identified: eleven with a diagnosis of PTSD (22%). A high proportion of trafficked children with PTSD had Complex PTSD symptoms. Trafficked and non-trafficked children with PTSD who had been exposed to multiple trauma showed a greater number of Complex PTSD symptoms compared to nontrafficked children with PTSD exposed to single-event traumas. Somatic symptoms were noted for almost two-thirds of the trafficked children but only 10%–11% of the nontrafficked children. Child trafficking and multiple trauma exposure are associated with more complex posttraumatic presentations. A thorough clinical assessment at intake is crucial to ensure additional symptoms can be meaningfully incorporated into treatment plans.     

Posttraumatic stress disorder following high‐ and low‐ magnitude stressors in psychotherapeutic inpatients

High‐magnitude stressors and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are frequently in psychiatric patients. In contrast, the role of low‐magnitude stressors has rarely been studied. We assessed a consecutive series of 78 psychiatric inpatients taking part in our psychotherapy programme for potentially traumatic events and PTSD with a structured interview. All participants completed self‐report questionnaires on PTSD‐symptomatology, dissociative and general psychopathology (DES, SCL‐90). A distressing event was reported by 48 patients (61.5%) and 27 (34.6%) met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Of these, 16 reported a low‐magnitude stressor, while 11 had experienced a high‐magnitude stressor. There were no significant differences in PTSD symptoms, dissociative and general psychopathology between patients with PTSD due to a minor trauma and those with a major trauma. Our preliminary findings suggest that low‐magnitude stressors can also lead to PTSD. We discuss the possible implications with regard to psychotherapy. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

PTSD and somatization in women treated at a VA primary care clinic

The authors examined the association between trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and somatization in 264 women attending a Department of Veterans Affairs primary care clinic. Using a structured computerized interview (Composite International Diagnostic Interview), they found that traumatic events were reported by 81% of the women. The lifetime prevalence of PTSD was 27%; for somatization it was 19%. PTSD was the best predictor of somatization after control for demographic variables, veteran status, and other mood and anxiety disorders. Psychological numbing symptoms of PTSD emerged as a particularly strong predictor of somatization. The link between PTSD and somatization deserves further study.     

Current posttraumatic stress disorder and history of trauma in trichotillomania

Though some researchers and clinicians postulate that trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be implicated in the etiologic underpinnings of trichotillomania (TTM), very little research to date has examined such postulations. To address this gap in the literature, the current study assessed the prevalence of trauma and PTSD in 42 individuals seeking treatment for TTM. Relations between symptoms of PTSD and TTM also were examined, as were differences in TTM symptoms between those with and without PTSD. Findings revealed that approximately 76% reported a history of at least one traumatic event, and 19% met criteria for PTSD. Furthermore, negative correlations were demonstrated between symptoms of PTSD and characteristics of TTM, and the PTSD group reported less severe TTM characteristics. Findings suggest that the prevalence of PTSD in TTM may be higher than in the general population and that a history of greater number of types of traumas is associated with a longer duration of hair pulling as well as the scalp as the primary pulling site. The authors also speculate that in traumatized individuals, TTM may represent a form of coping vis-à-vis self-soothing or self-harm.     

Identification of traumatic stress reactions in women at increased risk for breast cancer

It has been shown that the diagnosis and treatment of cancer may constitute a traumatic event that generates in patients and some of their family members traumatic reactions that are consistent with the symptom profile of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study was conducted to establish the degree to which women at increased familial risk for breast cancer showed such traumatic reactions and to establish which demographic or psychological variables may contribute to the experience of such traumatic reactions in at-risk individuals. Seventy-three women from the Revlon UCLA Breast Center High Risk Clinic were assessed for traumatic reactions that might be consistent with the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD. The results showed that women at increased risk for breast cancer exhibited traumatic responses similar to those reported by cancer patients. When the authors used a self-report instrument that maps onto DSM-IV criteria, 4% of the study subjects reported symptoms consistent with criteria for a potential diagnosis of PTSD, and an additional 7% of the subjects reported symptoms consistent with potentially subclinical levels of PTSD, according to DSM-IV criteria.     

Premilitary antecedents of post-traumatic stress disorder in an Oregon cohort.

The role of premilitary factors in the development of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder is unclear. A longitudinal survey of 52 Vietnam veterans, 48 Vietnam Era veterans (who served in the military, but not in Vietnam), and 51 nonveterans from an Oregon cohort suggests that while post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms are associated with exposure to combat, level of combat is related to premilitary factors such as family SES and high school experience. Respondents from lower-social-class backgrounds were more likely to fail in school, and those who failed in school were more likely to enlist in the military and be sent to Vietnam. Those who experienced high levels of combat are more likely to have PTSD symptoms as long as 10 years after their return.     

Relationships among childhood trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, and dissociation in men living with HIV/AIDS

This study examined the relationships among dissociation, childhood trauma and sexual abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in HIV-positive men. Data were collected from 167 men enrolled in a randomized clinical trial that examined a group therapy intervention to decrease HIV-related risk behavior and trauma-related stress symptoms. Participants completed the Trauma History Questionnaire, the Impact of Events Scale-Revised, and the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire. Overall, 35.3% of the participants reported having experienced childhood sexual abuse. A total of 55.7% of the sample met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. The intensity of dissociative symptoms that participants endorsed was positively associated with experience of childhood sexual abuse (r?=?.20, p < .01). Dissociative symptoms were also positively associated with specific PTSD symptoms, notably hyperarousal (r?=?.69, p < .001). Hierarchical regression indicated that hyperarousal symptoms accounted for more of the variance in dissociation than childhood sexual abuse. These results suggest that childhood sexual abuse may be involved in the development of dissociative symptoms in the context of adulthood stress reactions. Furthermore, the pattern of the association between dissociation and PTSD is consistent with the possibility of a dissociative PTSD subtype among HIV-positive men.     

Trauma exposure and mental health outcomes among Central American and Mexican children held in immigration detention at the United States–Mexico border

We explored the associations between early-life adversity and migration-related stress on the mental health of Central American and Mexican migrating children held in United States immigration detention facilities. Migrating children have high rates of trauma exposure prior to and during migration. Early-life adversity increases risk for developing mental health disorders. Forced separation of migrating children from their parents at the United States–Mexico border potentially exacerbates this risk. We sought to determine whether exposure to trauma prior to immigration and specific features of immigration detention were associated with posttraumatic stress symptomatology. We interviewed parents of 84 migrating children (ages 1–17) after families were released from immigration detention facilities to assess children's migration- and detention-related experiences. A modified version of the University of California Los Angeles Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Reaction Index was administered to assess children's PTSD symptoms and document trauma exposure. A total of 97.4% of children experienced at least one premigration traumatic event. PTSD symptom severity was most strongly predicted by premigration trauma and duration of parent–child separation. This study contributes to a growing empirical literature documenting that early-life adversity increases risk of developing mental health disorders, particularly following additional stress exposure, and that remaining with parents during immigration detention may help mitigate children's stress response.     

Posttraumatic stress disorder and self-reported physical health status among U.S. Military personnel serving during the Gulf War period: a population-based study

The objective of this study was to investigate the relation between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and perceived physical health. Participants included 3,682 Gulf War veterans and control subjects of the same era who completed a telephone survey about their health status. PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Checklist-Military Version. Veterans screening positive for PTSD reported significantly more physical health symptoms and medical conditions than did veterans without PTSD. They were also more likely to rate their health status as fair or poor and to report lower levels of health-related quality of life. The results of this study are consistent with studies of other combat veterans and provide further support for an association between PTSD and adverse physical health outcomes. Stressful or traumatic life events, such as those encountered during a rapid military deployment and conflict, are associated with a variety of adverse health effects. These health effects may manifest themselves in both psychological and physical outcomes. Health care providers must be attentive to recognize and evaluate both of these dimensions.     

Posttraumatic stress disorder: somatic comorbidity and effort tolerance

To explore psychological and somatic distress following trauma, the authors compared 50 combat veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with 48 age-matched combat veterans without PTSD. Both groups were evaluated on symptom reports, physical examination findings, and laboratory tests. Subjects with PTSD reported significantly more symptoms, but they did not differ from controls on their physical examination and laboratory test findings. Adverse health practices (smoking, alcohol use, and deregulation of food intake) were significantly more frequent in the PTSD group. Low effort tolerance, as has been reported in panic disorder patients, was observed in the PTSD group.