Psychological consequences of trauma in MVA perpetrators – Relationship between post-traumatic growth, PTSD symptoms and individual characteristics

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 565-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Merecz ◽  
Malgorzata Waszkowska ◽  
Agata Wezyk
Keyword(s):  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic

scholarly journals Post-Traumatic Growth Following Exposure to Memorial Reports of the 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake: The Moderating Roles of Self-Esteem and Long-Term PTSD Symptoms

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhihao Ma ◽  
Yiwei Xia ◽  
Zhongxuan Lin
Keyword(s):  
Media Exposure ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake ◽  
The Relationship

Media exposure during a traumatic event has been found to be associated with negative psychological consequences. However, the post-disaster role of the mass media and the possible positive psychological consequences of media exposure has received less attention. In the present study, we hypothesized that exposure to memorial media reports would lead to improved post-traumatic growth (PTG). Further, we evaluated the moderating role of self-esteem and long-term post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in the relationship between media exposure and PTG. Using a cross-sectional design, we surveyed individuals (N = 1000, mean age = 45.62, 43.5% male) who were recruited from disaster-affected communities ten years after the 5.12 Wenchuan earthquake which was the largest country-level trauma in the past three decades. Results revealed that individuals with lower self-esteem or lower PTSD symptoms would have higher psychological growth with greater exposure to memorial news reports. For individuals who reported having both high levels of self-esteem and PTSD symptoms, the relationship between media exposure and PTG was negative. These findings help present trauma in a new light, particularly regarding the rapid and instantaneous new coverage of the digital age. This study also has multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural, and clinical implications for the fields of psychology, public health, and communications.

Earthquake-related psychological distress and associated factors 4 years after the Parnitha earthquake in Greece

2005 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Livanou ◽  
Yiannis Kasvikis ◽  
Metin Başoğlu ◽  
Pashalia Mytskidou ◽  
Vivi Sotiropoulou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Subjective Distress ◽  
Psychological Treatments ◽  
Emotional Resilience ◽  
Post Traumatic

AbstractExposure to earthquakes has been associated with psychological distress and in particular the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Earthquake-related psychological distress can be longstanding. The present study involved 157 Greek survivors of the 1999 Parnitha earthquake assessed approximately 4 years after the earthquake. Assessments were based on the Traumatic Stress Symptom Checklist (TSSC). Using stringent calibrations for the estimation of symptom presence 25% of the survivors endorsed at least 5 and 12% at least 10 TSSC symptoms. Approximately 22% of the survivors reported subjective distress and 15% impaired adjustment due to their symptoms. Intensity of fear during the earthquake and participation in rescue operations related to greater post-earthquake psychological distress. The results suggest that the psychological consequences of earthquakes can be serious and long-standing even when the magnitude of the earthquake is moderate. Psychological treatments that have been proven to reduce fear and PTSD symptoms need to be made available to the survivors. Such treatments may also increase the survivors' psychological preparedness and emotional resilience in view of future earthquakes.

scholarly journals Kintsugi mind: clinicians can emerge from the pandemic whole

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-19
Author(s):  
Patricia Lynn Dobkin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
World View ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
The Public ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic

The Japanese practice an ancient art called Kintsugi. A craftsperson repairs broken pottery with gold or silver rendering it more beautiful than in its original state. Can clinicians engage in “Kintsugi Mind” and thereby emerge from this pandemic integrated and whole? Yuan et al. (2021) conducted a meta-analysis including 88 studies of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following earlier pandemics and COVID-19. Health care professionals had the highest prevalence (26.9%) compared to infected cases and the public. Another type of trauma is called secondary or vicarious; it occurs when a person bears witness to suffering and death but remains powerless to change it; countless clinicians have experienced this over the past year. It manifests as emotional depletion, anxiety, insomnia, and impaired interpersonal relationships. How can clinicians heal from their exposure to the pandemic? Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is defined as positive psychological changes following trauma. PTG manifests in five areas: appreciation of life, relating to others, personal strength, recognizing new possibilities, and spiritual change. A transformation in the person’s world view and their place in it ensues. For health care professionals who are experiencing emotional distress, insomnia, or manifest PTSD symptoms they may heal by engaging in the six “Rs.” These are: relating, resourcing, repatterning, reprocessing, reflecting, and rituals. Both PTG and these six practices may contribute to Kintsugi Mind. While this appears to place the onus on individuals, it is crucial that leaders in the health care system implement programs enabling HCPs to be restored, rather than broken by this crisis.  

scholarly journals Thinking about My Existence during COVID-19, I Feel Anxiety and Awe—The Mediating Role of Existential Anxiety and Life Satisfaction on the Relationship between PTSD Symptoms and Post-Traumatic Growth

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Tomaszek ◽  
Agnieszka Muchacka-Cymerman
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Traumatic Experience ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Existential Anxiety ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Relationship

Background: The global outbreak of COVID-19set new challenges and threats for every human being. In the psychological field it is similar to deep existential crises or a traumatic experience that may lead to the appearance or exacerbation of a serious mental disorder and loss of life meaning and satisfaction. Courtney et al. (2020) discussed deadly pandemic COVID-19 in the light of TMT theory and named it as global contagion of mortality that personally affected every human being. Such unique conditions activate existential fears as people start to be aware of their own mortality. Objective: The main aim of this study was to test the mediating effect of existential anxiety, activated by COVID-19 and life satisfaction (SWLS) on the relationship between PTSD symptoms and post-traumatic growth (PTG). We also examined the moderated mediating effect of severity of trauma symptoms on life satisfaction and existential anxiety and its associations with PTG. Method: We conducted an online survey during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak in Poland. The participants completed existential anxiety scale (SNE), life satisfaction scale (SWLS), IES-R scale for measuring the level of PTSD symptoms and post-traumatic growth inventory (PTGI). Results: The effect of PTSD on PTG was found to be mediated by existential anxiety and life satisfaction. We also confirmed two indirect effects: (1) the indirect effect of PTSD on PTG via existential anxiety and life satisfaction tested simultaneously; (2) the indirect effect of life satisfaction on PTG through severity of trauma symptoms. An intermediate or high level of PTSD level was related to less PTG when low and full PTSD stress symptoms strengthened PTG experiences. Conclusions: A therapeutic intervention for individuals after traumatic experience should attempt to include fundamental existential questions and meaning of life as well as the severity of PTSD symptoms. The severity of traumatic sensations may affect the relationship between life satisfaction and post-traumatic growth.

scholarly journals Protective Factors Associated With Post-traumatic Outcomes in Individuals With Experiences of Psychosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Campodonico ◽  
Katherine Berry ◽  
Gillian Haddock ◽  
Filippo Varese
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factors ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Growth Trait ◽  
Complex Ptsd ◽  
Adaptive Coping ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Traumatic Symptoms

Trauma and trauma-specific mental health difficulties (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) are highly prevalent in people with psychosis. However, not everyone develops post-traumatic symptoms, and some people even experience post-traumatic growth (PTG) following trauma. It is important to identify which protective factors are associated with less severe trauma symptoms and/or positive outcomes to inform the development and implementation of interventions fostering these variables. Eighty-five patients with experiences of psychosis took part in a cross-sectional study. They were administered questionnaires measuring exposure to traumatic events, symptoms of PTSD and complex PTSD and potential protective factors assumed to be associated with lower vulnerability for post-traumatic symptoms and higher post-traumatic growth (trait resilience, secure attachment, social support, adaptive coping, optimism, general self-efficacy). Multiple hierarchical regression showed that some of these protective factors, in particular optimism, were associated with lower post-traumatic symptoms, explaining 21% of the variance in complex PTSD symptoms and 16% of the variance in PTSD symptoms. However, the hypothesized protective factors, in particular resilience and adaptive coping, explained a considerably larger proportion of variance in PTG (44%). Our results suggest that whilst these variables provide only moderate protection from the vulnerability to experience post-traumatic stress, they may play an important role in allowing people to find meaning despite multiple traumas and subsequently lead more fulfilling lives. Therapies targeting the emotional and psychological consequences of trauma in people with psychosis might benefit from the integration of intervention strategies to enhance these additional psychological protective factors, which in turn may lead to positive treatment outcomes beyond the mere reduction of post-traumatic stress symptoms.

scholarly journals The Chinese version of Post-traumatic Growth and Depreciation Inventory – Expanded version (PTGDI-X) for cancer survivors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel M.Y. Ho ◽  
Chih-Tao Cheng ◽  
Shih-Ming Shih ◽  
Kanako Taku ◽  
Richard G. Tedeschi
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Posttraumatic Growth ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Chinese Version ◽  
National Study ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic

Abstract Many patients with cancer report positive changes often refer to as posttraumatic growth (PTG). Some of these self-reported PTG may represent maladaptive illusions created by individuals to cope with the illness. A recently established Post-traumatic Growth and Depreciation Inventory – Expanded version (PTGDI-X) includes both PTG and post-traumatic depreciation (PTD) items. This inventory may provide a more balanced picture on the phenomenological world of cancer survivors. We examined the Chinese version of the PTGDI-X’s applicability to cancer patients, and examine how PTG and PTD were related to posttraumatic stress symptoms. Two hundred sixty-five cancer survivors in Taiwan completed the Chinese version of the PTGDI-X, along with the PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 to measure post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the factor structure of the PTGDI-X established in a multi-national study fit our data from cancer patients modestly well. The PTD score had a significant and positive correlation with PTSD symptoms, whereas the PTG and PTSD showed a significant curvilinear relationship in the form of an inverted U-shape. This study’s results indicate that PTG and PTD are separated constructs with differential relationships with cancer outcomes. The Chinese version of the PTGDI-X is a viable instrument for psycho-oncological research. The PTD scores can provide useful information to guide cognitive interventions to reduce distorted cognitions. In contrast, the PTG scores can provide further information on the phenomenological world of cancer survivors. In this study, clinical implications and future studies were considered.

scholarly journals Dreams and Nightmares during the First and Second Wave of the COVID-19 Infection: A Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1375
Author(s):  
Serena Scarpelli ◽  
Valentina Alfonsi ◽  
Maurizio Gorgoni ◽  
Alessandro Musetti ◽  
Maria Filosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intensity ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Continuity Hypothesis ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Negative Tone ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Second Wave

Recent literature shows that the Coronovirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has provoked significant changes in dreaming. The current study intends to provide an update about dream variable changes during the second wave of COVID-19. A total of 611 participants completed a web survey from December 2020 to January 2021. Statistical comparisons showed that subjects had lower dream-recall frequency, nightmare frequency, lucid-dream frequency, emotional intensity, and nightmare distress during the second than the first wave of the pandemic. Dreams had a higher negative tone during the second than first wave. We revealed significant differences concerning post-traumatic growth, sleep-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and sleep measures between groups obtained as a function of the changes in the oneiric frequency between the first and second waves. We also found significant correlations between qualitative/emotional dream features and COVID-19-related factors (job change, forced quarantine, having COVID-19 infected relatives/friends, or asking for mental health help). Overall, we found that the second wave affected fewer quantitative features of dream activity and there was less emotional intensity. Moreover, we confirmed the relationship between nightmares and the high risk of PTSD when subjects were grouped as a function of the increasing/decreasing frequency. Finally, our findings are partly coherent with the continuity hypothesis between oneiric and waking experiences.

scholarly journals Model of Post-traumatic Growth in Newly Traumatized vs. Retraumatized Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Pazderka ◽  
Matthew RG. Brown ◽  
Caroline Beth McDonald-Harker ◽  
Andrew James Greenshaw ◽  
Vincent IO. Agyapong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Trauma History ◽  
Stress Sensitization ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Prior Trauma

Background: In our analysis of adolescents affected by the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, we observed many negative mental health effects in individuals with a prior history of psychological trauma. Elevated rates of depression and markers of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were observed, consistent with the hypothesis that prior trauma may reduce sensitivity thresholds for later psychopathology (stress sensitization). Surprisingly, levels of anxiety did not differ based on prior trauma history, nor were retraumatized individuals at increased risk for recent (past month) suicidal ideation. These results are more suggestive of inoculation by prior trauma than stress sensitization. This led us to consider whether individuals with a prior trauma history showed evidence of Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), a condition in which the experience of a previous trauma leads to areas of sparing or even improvement.Method: To investigate this issue, we generated a structural equation model (SEM) exploring the role of anxiety in previously traumatized (n = 295) and wildfire trauma alone (n = 740) groups. Specifically, models were estimated to explore the relationship between hopelessness, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, self-efficacy and potential protective factors such as friend and family support in both groups. The model was tested using a cross-sectional sample of affected youth, comparing effects between the two groups.Results: While both models produced relatively good fit, differences in the effects and chi-squared values led us to conclude that the groups are subject to different causal specifications in a number of areas, although details warrant caution pending additional investigation.Discussion: We found that adolescents with a prior trauma history appear to have a more realistic appraisal of potential difficulties associated with traumatic events, and seem less reactive to potentially unsettling PTSD symptoms. They also seemed less prone to overconfidence as they got older, an effect seen in the adolescents without a history of trauma. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that the construct of anxiety may work differently in newly traumatized and retraumatized individuals, particularly in the context of mass trauma events.

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