Experiential Avoidance as a Risk Factor for PTSD Symptoms Following a Mass Shooting

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Orcutt ◽  
Ruth Varkovitzky ◽  
Mandy Hattula ◽  
Mandy Rabenhorst ◽  
David Valentiner
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Mass Shooting

Relationship Between PTSD Symptoms, Physical Health, and Experiential Avoidance

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Stalnaker ◽  
Rebecca Pasillas ◽  
Jason C. Deviva ◽  
Andrew Santanello ◽  
Melissa Decker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms

Smaller hippocampal volume as a vulnerability factor for the persistence of post-traumatic stress disorder

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (13) ◽  
pp. 2737-2746 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. H. van Rooij ◽  
M. Kennis ◽  
R. Sjouwerman ◽  
M. P. van den Heuvel ◽  
R. S. Kahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Successful Treatment ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Hippocampal Volume ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Left Hippocampus ◽  
Post Traumatic

BackgroundSmaller hippocampal volume has often been observed in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there is no consensus whether this is a result of stress/trauma exposure, or constitutes a vulnerability factor for the development of PTSD. Second, it is unclear whether hippocampal volume normalizes with successful treatment of PTSD, or whether a smaller hippocampus is a risk factor for the persistence of PTSD.MethodMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and clinical interviews were collected from 47 war veterans with PTSD, 25 healthy war veterans (combat controls) and 25 healthy non-military controls. All veterans were scanned a second time with a 6- to 8-month interval, during which PTSD patients received trauma-focused therapy. Based on post-treatment PTSD symptoms, patients were divided into a PTSD group who was in remission (n = 22) and a group in whom PTSD symptoms persisted (n = 22). MRI data were analysed with Freesurfer.ResultsSmaller left hippocampal volume was observed in PTSD patients compared with both control groups. Hippocampal volume of the combat controls did not differ from healthy controls. Second, pre- and post-treatment analyses of the PTSD patients and combat controls revealed reduced (left) hippocampal volume only in the persistent patients at both time points. Importantly, hippocampal volume did not change with treatment.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that a smaller (left) hippocampus is not the result of stress/trauma exposure. Furthermore, hippocampal volume does not increase with successful treatment. Instead, we demonstrate for the first time that a smaller (left) hippocampus constitutes a risk factor for the persistence of PTSD.

scholarly journals PTSD Among Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Study Raises Concern for Non-medical Staff in Low-Risk Areas

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruike Zhang ◽  
Tianya Hou ◽  
Xiangyu Kong ◽  
Guibin Wang ◽  
Hao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of sleep quality and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms of healthcare workers (HCWs) and identify the determinants for PTSD symptoms among HCWs in high-risk and low-risk areas during the COVID-19 outbreak in China.Methods: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Impact of Event Scale were used to assess sleep quality and symptoms of PTSD of 421 Chinese HCWs, respectively, from January 30 to March 2, 2020. The influencing factors of PTSD symptoms were identified by univariate analysis and multiple regression.Results: The incidence of HCWs getting PTSD symptoms were 13.2%. HCWs from high-risk areas had significantly poorer sleep quality (p < 0.001). Poor sleep quality was the risk factor of PTSD symptoms for HCWs from high-risk (p = 0.018) and low-risk areas (p < 0.001). Furthermore, non-medical staff were found to be the risk factor for PTSD symptoms only in low-risk areas.Discussion: HCWs in Hubei had poorer sleep quality. Non-medical HCWs from low-risk areas were associated with more severe PTSD symptoms. Mental health programs should be considered for HCWs, especially those who are often overlooked.

Compassionate Goals Predict Social Support and PTSD Symptoms Following a University Shooting: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oxana L. Stebbins ◽  
Jamie L. Tingey ◽  
Erin K. Verdi ◽  
Thane M. Erickson ◽  
Adam P. McGuire
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Moderated Mediation ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Stress Buffering ◽  
Compassionate Goals ◽  
Mass Shooting

Introduction: Social support is known to buffer posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, but the stress-buffering properties of striving to help and support others (compassionate goals) have received less attention. Recent research suggests that compassionate goals shape social support processes and dampen stress responses following social threat, but their relevance to trauma have not been examined. The present study tested whether, in the aftermath of a university mass shooting, compassionate goals concurrently and prospectively predicted lower PTSD symptoms indirectly via higher social support, and whether this mediation would be stronger with higher proximity to the trauma. Method: Participants (N = 369) completed measures four months post-shooting (Time 1), and a subset (n = 85) repeated outcome variables at eight months (Time 2). Results: As hypothesized, there was a significant moderated mediation, with trauma proximity moderating the indirect effect of compassionate goals on PTSD symptoms at Time 1 (B = −0.88, SE = 0.28, 95% CI [−1.47, −0.37]) and prospectively at Time 2 (B = −1.12, SE = 0.77, 95% CI [−3.16, −0.03]), although not when controlling for Time 1 symptoms. The indirect effects were greatest for those with higher trauma proximity, suggesting particular relevance for individuals most at risk for trauma-related difficulties. Discussion: These findings suggest the need for further research into compassionate goals and strategies for fostering them, particularly in the context of social or community traumas.

scholarly journals A longitudinal study of several potential mediators of the relationship between child maltreatment and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad E. Shenk ◽  
Frank W. Putnam ◽  
Joseph R. Rausch ◽  
James L. Peugh ◽  
Jennie G. Noll
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Private Events ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Sinus Arrhythmia ◽  
Maltreated Children ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractChild maltreatment is a reliable predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, not all maltreated children develop PTSD symptoms, suggesting that additional mediating variables explain how certain maltreated children develop PTSD symptoms and others do not. The current study tested three potential mediators of the relationship between child maltreatment and subsequent PTSD symptoms: (a) respiratory sinus arrhythmia reactivity, (b) cortisol reactivity, and (c) experiential avoidance, or the unwillingness to experience painful private events, such as thoughts and memories. Maltreated (n = 51) and nonmaltreated groups (n = 59) completed a stressor paradigm, a measure of experiential avoidance, and a semistructured interview of PTSD symptoms. One year later, participants were readministered the PTSD symptoms interview. Results of a multiple mediator model showed the set of potential mediators mediated the relationship between child maltreatment and subsequent PTSD symptoms. However, experiential avoidance was the only significant, specific indirect effect, demonstrating that maltreated children avoiding painful private events after the abuse were more likely to develop a range of PTSD symptoms 1 year later. These results highlight the importance of experiential avoidance in the development of PTSD symptoms for maltreated children, and implications for secondary prevention and clinical intervention models are discussed.

The Phenomenology and Correlates of Flashbacks in Individuals With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne L. Malaktaris ◽  
Steven Jay Lynn
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Emotional Intensity ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Considerable Controversy ◽  
And Control

Reexperiencing symptoms are a hallmark of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Relatively little research has examined flashbacks in individuals with PTSD, and theoretical attempts to define and conceptualize flashbacks continue to be marked by considerable controversy. We compared individuals with PTSD or subthreshold PTSD symptoms (PTSS) with ( n = 45) and without flashbacks ( n = 32) to trauma-exposed controls ( n = 33) and control participants without trauma exposure ( n = 33). We compared the qualities of flashbacks of individuals with PTSS to those simulated by individuals without flashbacks. As predicted, individuals with PTSS reported significantly greater sleep disturbances, experiential avoidance, and lower trait mindfulness than those without PTSS. Individuals without PTSS underestimated the vividness, emotional intensity, distress, and functional impact associated with flashbacks. Consistent with basic-mechanisms theory, we did not find evidence of fragmentation of flashbacks in individuals with PTSS. Additional implications and future directions are discussed.

Subthreshold post-traumatic stress disorder as a risk factor for post-traumatic stress disorder: results from a sample of USA veterans

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Robert H. Pietrzak ◽  
Frances G. Javier ◽  
John H. Krystal ◽  
Steven M. Southwick
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Relative Risk Ratio ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cognitive Difficulties ◽  
National Cohort ◽  
Post Traumatic

Subthreshold post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more prevalent than PTSD, yet its role as a potential risk factor for PTSD is unknown. To address this gap, we analysed data from a 7-year, prospective national cohort of USA veterans. Of veterans with subthreshold PTSD at wave 1, 34.3% developed PTSD compared with 7.6% of trauma-exposed veterans without subthreshold PTSD (relative risk ratio 6.4). Among veterans with subthreshold PTSD, specific PTSD symptoms, greater age, cognitive difficulties, lower dispositional optimism and new-onset traumas predicted incident PTSD. Results suggest that preventive interventions targeting subthreshold PTSD and associated factors may help mitigate risk for PTSD in USA veterans.

scholarly journals Is Experiential Avoidance a Mediating, Moderating, Independent, Overlapping, or Proxy Risk Factor in the Onset, Relapse and Maintenance of Depressive Disorders?

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Spinhoven ◽  
Jolijn Drost ◽  
Mark de Rooij ◽  
Albert M. van Hemert ◽  
Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Depressive Disorders

scholarly journals Relationship of service members’ deployment trauma, PTSD symptoms, and experiential avoidance to postdeployment family reengagement.

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Callie Brockman ◽  
James Snyder ◽  
Abigail Gewirtz ◽  
Suzanne R. Gird ◽  
Jamie Quattlebaum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Avoidance ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Relationship Of
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