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1.
J Clin Psychol ; 80(8): 1754-1766, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38581701

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Moral transgressions (MTs), events that violate one's moral code, are associated with the moral emotions of guilt and shame. However, there may be different patterns by which people experience guilt and shame that affect distress following MTs. METHOD: Undergraduates (N = 1371) exposed to anĀ MT completed self-report assessments. This study used latent profile analysis (LPA) to examine profiles based on guilt cognitions, internalized shame, and distress in relation to a reported MT. Cognitive flexibility, years since the MT, and deliberate and intrusive rumination were examined as variables to determine how these factors predicted profile membership. RESULTS: Results from the LPA revealed a three-profile solution: a low moral distress profile (n = 1002), a moderate moral distress profile (n = 262), and a shame prominent profile (n = 107). Results indicated that higher levels of deliberate and intrusive rumination and lower levels of cognitive flexibility significantly increased the likelihood of belonging to the moderate moral distress or shame prominent profiles compared to the low moral distress profile. Higher levels of intrusive rumination and lower levels of cognitive flexibility also significantly increased the likelihood of belonging to the shame prominent profile over the moderate distress profile. CONCLUSION: Three different profiles emerged, with the shame prominent profile being driven primarily by internalized shame. Results suggest that intrusive rumination and cognitive inflexibility are risk factors to experiencing adverse responses to MTs.


Subject(s)
Guilt , Morals , Shame , Humans , Female , Male , Young Adult , Adult , Adolescent , Psychological Distress , Rumination, Cognitive/physiology
2.
Psychosom Med ; 85(8): 682-690, 2023 Oct 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37506294

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed whether different types of childhood maltreatment (i.e., abuse versus neglect) had differential relationships with heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity. In addition, this study tested the indirect effect of maltreatment subtypes on adult mood-related psychopathology via HRV, and whether these relationships differed in those with HRV above and below established clinical cutoffs. METHODS: Secondary analysis was performed using the Midlife Development in the United States data set ( N = 967; Mage = 55; 58.4% female; 75.9% White). In a single study visit, autonomic measurements were captured at rest, during two cognitive stressors (Stroop and MATH tasks), and during recovery after the tasks. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the relationships between key variables during all three measurement periods. RESULTS: Resting pathways from abuse and neglect to baroreflex sensitivity were nonsignificant, as was the pathway from HRV to mood-related pathology. Notably, greater abuse was significantly predictive of lower HRV (standardized Ɵ = -0.42, p = .009), whereas greater neglect was significantly predictive of higher HRV (standardized Ɵ = 0.32, p = .034). In addition, higher abuse was significantly predictive of greater adult symptoms (standardized Ɵ = 0.39, p < .001), but neglect was not found to be related to adult mood-related pathology. Significant relationships between variables were only found in those with low HRV. CONCLUSIONS: Although cross-sectional, our findings provide further evidence that low HRV may be a transdiagnostic endophenotype for mood-related pathology and suggest that greater differentiation between abuse and neglect is appropriate when investigating the impact of childhood maltreatment on adult health outcomes.


Subject(s)
Child Abuse , Humans , Adult , Female , Child , United States , Male , Cross-Sectional Studies , Child Abuse/psychology
3.
Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol ; 323(2): G61-G70, 2022 08 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35638693

ABSTRACT

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder, resulting from exposure to traumatic events. Current recommended first-line interventions for the treatment of PTSD include evidence-based psychotherapies, such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT). Psychotherapies are effective for reducing PTSD symptoms, but approximately two-thirds of veterans continue to meet diagnostic criteria for PTSD after treatment, suggesting there is an incomplete understanding of what factors sustain PTSD. The intestine can influence the brain and this study evaluated intestinal readouts in subjects with PTSD. Serum samples from controls without PTSD (n = 40) from the Duke INTRuST Program were compared with serum samples from veterans with PTSD (n = 40) recruited from the Road Home Program at Rush University Medical Center. Assessments included microbial metabolites, intestinal barrier, and intestinal epithelial cell function. In addition, intestinal readouts were assessed in subjects with PTSD before and after a 3-wk CPT-based intensive treatment program (ITP) to understand if treatment impacts the intestine. Compared with controls, veterans with PTSD had a proinflammatory intestinal environment including lower levels of microbiota-derived metabolites, such as acetic, lactic, and succinic acid, intestinal barrier dysfunction [lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-binding protein], an increase in HMGB1, and a concurrent increase in the number of intestinal epithelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles. The ITP improved PTSD symptoms but no changes in intestinal outcomes were noted. This study confirms the intestine is abnormal in subjects with PTSD and suggests that effective treatment of PTSD does not alter intestinal readouts. Targeting beneficial changes in the intestine may be an approach to enhance existing PTSD treatments.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study confirms an abnormal intestinal environment is present in subjects with PTSD. This study adds to what is already known by examining the intestinal barrier and evaluating the relationship between intestinal readouts and PTSD symptoms and is the first to report the impact of PTSD treatment (which improves symptoms) on intestinal readouts. This study suggests that targeting the intestine as an adjunct approach could improve the treatment of PTSD.


Subject(s)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic , Veterans , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods , Humans , Intestines , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/therapy , Treatment Outcome , Veterans/psychology
4.
J Trauma Stress ; 35(3): 901-913, 2022 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35218235

ABSTRACT

Most survivors of sexual assault who disclose their experience do so within their social network. Prior research on disclosure among individuals who experience sexual trauma has mainly focused on childhood sexual abuse, college-aged women, or disclosure to formal sources of support (e.g., treatment providers). There is limited research on disclosure among veteran survivors of military sexual assault (MSA). The current qualitative study aimed to explore the disclosure experiences of treatment-seeking survivors of MSA. Participants were 17 veterans (n = 13 women, n = 4 men), aged 33-65 years, who reported experiencing MSA. During semistructured interviews, participants were asked about their experiences disclosing MSA to informal support persons (e.g., family members, partners, friends). A narrative thematic analysis identified 11 themes that emerged throughout different aspects of the disclosure, including (a) preparation and reason for disclosure (reactive or spontaneous disclosures, disclosure as an explanation/obligation), (b) expectations about the disclosure experience (no expectations, negative expectations grounded in socialized beliefs, positive expectations based on specific relationships, mismatch between experience and expectation), (c) the actual disclosure experience (negative experiences of personalization, supportive responses, share shame), and (d) military context (disclosing to another member of the military, reporting dynamics). Additional subthemes were nested within these categories. The findings indicated common experiences across participants, particularly regarding disclosure rationale. Key differences were largely influenced by contextual factors (e.g., response of the disclosure recipient). These findings hold implications for clinicians working with survivors of MSA who are preparing for and coping with the consequences of disclosure.


Subject(s)
Crime Victims , Sex Offenses , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic , Child , Disclosure , Female , Humans , Male , Qualitative Research , Survivors , Young Adult
5.
J Community Psychol ; 50(8): 3746-3759, 2022 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35460583

ABSTRACT

Mental health concerns have been well studied among youth experiencing homelessness, yet few studies have explored factors that contribute to well-being in this population. The current cross-sectional study examined rates and correlates of well-being among youth experiencing homelessness. This is a descriptive, secondary analysis of the baseline data from a clinical intervention study. Ninety-nine youth (aged 16-25) who were experiencing homelessness were recruited in Chicago. Approximately 40% of the sample reported average or above average well-being relative to existing benchmarks. Having medical insurance, a mobile phone, and a history of more severe childhood trauma were unique cross-sectional predictors of worse well-being (all ps < 0.034). A significant portion of our sample experienced well-being. Having access to certain resources may be counterintuitive indicators of poorer well-being among youth experiencing homelessness, perhaps because they are indicators of greater need or increased social comparison among these youth.


Subject(s)
Homeless Youth , Ill-Housed Persons , Adolescent , Cross-Sectional Studies , Ill-Housed Persons/psychology , Homeless Youth/psychology , Humans , Mental Health , Social Problems
6.
Depress Anxiety ; 38(11): 1182-1190, 2021 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34010494

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Poor sleep is prevalent among individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) and may negatively affect exposure therapy outcomes. Poor sleep may impair memory and learning, and thus compromise fear extinction learning thought to take place in exposure therapy. We examined poor sleep as a predictor of exposure therapy outcomes for SAD and the moderating role of d-cycloserine (DCS) on this relationship. METHODS: Participants were 152 individuals with a primary diagnosis of SAD. As part of a randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of DCS for enhancing the effects of exposure therapy, they completed self-report baseline measure of sleep quality, and self-report sleep diaries assessing sleep duration (total sleep time [TST]) and sleep quality the nights before and after treatment sessions. RESULTS: Poorer baseline sleep quality was significantly associated with slower improvement over time and worse symptom outcomes at the end of treatment and follow-up after controlling for baseline symptoms of depression and social anxiety. Greater TST the night before treatment predicted lower SAD symptoms at the next session, after controlling for symptoms at the previous session. There was no relation between prior or subsequent night sleep quality on symptoms at the next session. No associations were moderated by DCS. CONCLUSIONS: We replicated and extended findings indicating that poor sleep quality is associated with poorer exposure therapy outcomes for SAD. Assessing for sleep difficulties before treatment initiation and incorporating sleep interventions into treatment may enhance exposure therapy outcomes for SAD.


Subject(s)
Implosive Therapy , Phobia, Social , Adult , Extinction, Psychological , Fear , Humans , Phobia, Social/drug therapy , Sleep Quality , Treatment Outcome
7.
Dev Psychobiol ; 63(5): 1225-1240, 2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33403675

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to assess whether positive emotional exchanges (i.e., emotion coregulation) within the mother-child dyad play a protective role in children's physiological response to a distressing task. Specifically, we test whether positive emotion coregulation among mothers and their preschool-aged children is associated with children's respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) at baseline, during, and following a frustration task. One hundred Singaporean mother-child dyads (Mchildage Ā =Ā 3.5Ā years) participated in a standardized "Laughing Task" in which positive emotional constructs were measured. Children also participated in a frustration task while RSA was continuously monitored. Hierarchical linear regressions revealed that greater maternal positive emotional responses to children were associated with child RSA at baseline and in recovery from frustration, but not during frustration. These findings have implications for the important role that positive emotion responsivity from mothers may play in children's developing autonomic response systems, and underscore the need for longitudinal work on this topic.


Subject(s)
Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia , Autonomic Nervous System/physiology , Child, Preschool , Emotions/physiology , Female , Frustration , Humans , Mothers , Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia/physiology
8.
J Trauma Stress ; 33(4): 598-599, 2020 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32598507

ABSTRACT

The literature on moral injury (MI) is currently undermined by the lack of clear boundaries regarding the construct and a dearth of research on the processes by which potentially morally injurious events lead to MI. The heuristic continuum model of moral stressors proposes ways of distinguishing between moral frustrations, moral distress, and MI. In this commentary, we highlight five testable principles that can be derived from the heuristic model and evaluated using well-established constructs. Specifically, we describe meaningful distinctions between guilt and shame and address how these moral emotions can be used to distinguish between moral distress and MI. We also describe the potential role of event-related rumination, shame proneness, and cognitive flexibility in the development of MI following exposure to potentially morally injurious events. We believe that these principles offer critical next steps for the advancement of the MI field and illustrate how MI research can be generalized beyond the military context.


Subject(s)
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Guilt , Heuristics , Humans , Morals , Rumination, Cognitive , Shame
9.
J Trauma Stress ; 33(4): 521-527, 2020 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32216141

ABSTRACT

Previous research has demonstrated that sleep disturbances show little improvement with evidence-based psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, sleep improvements are associated with PTSD treatment outcomes. The goal of the current study was to evaluate changes in self-reported insomnia symptoms and the association between insomnia symptoms and treatment outcome during a 3-week intensive treatment program (ITP) for veterans with PTSD that integrated cognitive processing therapy (CPT), mindfulness, yoga, and other ancillary services. As part of standard clinical procedures, veterans (N = 165) completed self-report assessments of insomnia symptoms at pre- and posttreatment as well as self-report assessments of PTSD and depression symptoms approximately every other day during treatment. Most veterans reported at least moderate difficulties with insomnia at both pretreatment (83.0%-95.1%) and posttreatment (69.1-71.3%). Statistically significant reductions in self-reported insomnia severity occurred from pretreatment to posttreatment; however, the effect size was small, d = 0.33. Longitudinal mixed-effects models showed a significant interactive effect of Changes in Insomnia Ɨ Time in predicting PTSD and depression symptoms, indicating that patients with more improvements in insomnia had more positive treatment outcomes. These findings suggest that many veterans continued to struggle with sleep disruption after a 3-week ITP, and successful efforts to improve sleep could lead to better PTSD treatment outcomes. Further research is needed to establish how adjunctive sleep interventions can be used to maximize both sleep and PTSD outcomes.


Subject(s)
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/complications , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/therapy , Veterans/psychology , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods , Female , Humans , Male , Mindfulness , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/psychology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/complications , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Treatment Outcome , Yoga
10.
Cogn Behav Pract ; 27(2): 126-135, 2020 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33041618

ABSTRACT

Although evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), have been developed and widely disseminated, the rate of veterans engaging in and completing these therapies is low. Alternative methods of delivery may be needed to help overcome key barriers to treatment. Delivering evidence-based therapies intensively may address practical barriers to treatment attendance as well as problems with avoidance. This report details the case of a combat veteran who received 10 sessions of Cognitive Processing Therapy delivered twice per day over a single, five-day work week (CPT-5). Post-treatment, the veteran reported large and clinically meaningful decreases in PTSD and depression symptom severity as well as in guilt cognitions, which is a purported mechanism of successful treatment. These effects persisted six weeks after treatment ended. Despite the intensive nature of the treatment, the veteran found CPT-5 tolerable and could cite many benefits to completing therapy in one work week. In conclusion, CPT-5 holds promise as a way to efficiently deliver an evidence-based therapy that is both clinically effective and acceptable to patients, although more rigorous clinical trials are needed to test this treatment delivery format.

11.
Depress Anxiety ; 36(7): 617-624, 2019 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30995350

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have poor uptake and remission rates, suggesting that alternative treatments are needed. Morning bright light may be an effective treatment for PTSD given its established effects on mood and sleep, however, there are no published trials. METHODS: We conducted a placebo-controlled pilot trial of a wearable light device, the Re-timerĀ®, for individuals with probable PTSD. Individuals were randomly assigned to the active Re-timerĀ® (n = 9) or a placebo Re-timerĀ® dimmed with neutral density filters (n = 6). Participants self-administered the treatment at home 1 hr each morning over 4 weeks. PTSD and depression symptoms were assessed at pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS: The Re-timerĀ® was well tolerated and the perceived benefit was high, though treatment adherence was only moderate. Those in the active group were more likely to achieve a minimal clinically important change in PTSD and depression symptoms and had larger symptom reductions than those in the placebo group CONCLUSIONS: A wearable morning light treatment was acceptable and feasible for patients with probable PTSD. This study provides initial proof-of-concept that light treatment can improve PTSD. A larger trial is warranted to establish treatment efficacy. NCT#: 03513848.


Subject(s)
Depression/complications , Depression/therapy , Phototherapy/instrumentation , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/complications , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/therapy , Wearable Electronic Devices , Adult , Depression/physiopathology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Sleep/physiology , Sleep/radiation effects , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/physiopathology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Treatment Outcome
12.
BMC Psychiatry ; 18(1): 242, 2018 07 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30053860

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intensive delivery of evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is becoming increasingly popular for overcoming barriers to treatment for veterans. Understanding how and for whom these intensive treatments work is critical for optimizing their dissemination. The goals of the current study were to evaluate patterns of PTSD and depression symptom change over the course of a 3-week cohort-based intensive outpatient program (IOP) for veterans with PTSD, examine changes in posttraumatic cognitions as a predictor of treatment response, and determine whether patterns of treatment outcome or predictors of treatment outcome differed by sex and cohort type (combat versus military sexual trauma [MST]). METHOD: One-hundred ninety-one veterans (19 cohorts: 12 combat-PTSD cohorts, 7 MST-PTSD cohorts) completed a 3-week intensive outpatient program for PTSD comprised of daily group and individual Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), mindfulness, yoga, and psychoeducation. Measures of PTSD symptoms, depression symptoms, and posttraumatic cognitions were collected before the intervention, after the intervention, and approximately every other day during the intervention. RESULTS: Pre-post analyses for completers (N = 176; 92.1% of sample) revealed large reductions in PTSD (d = 1.12 for past month symptoms and d = 1.40 for past week symptoms) and depression symptoms (d = 1.04 for past 2 weeks). Combat cohorts saw a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms over time relative to MST cohorts. Reduction in posttraumatic cognitions over time significantly predicted decreases in PTSD and depression symptom scores, which remained robust to adjustment for autocorrelation. CONCLUSION: Intensive treatment programs are a promising approach for delivering evidence-based interventions to produce rapid treatment response and high rates of retention. Reductions in posttraumatic cognitions appear to be an important predictor of response to intensive treatment. Further research is needed to explore differences in intensive treatment response for veterans with combat exposure versus MST.


Subject(s)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Veterans/psychology , Adult , Aged , Cognition , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mindfulness , Psychotherapy, Group/methods , Sex Offenses/psychology , Yoga
13.
Child Psychiatry Hum Dev ; 49(2): 209-216, 2018 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28660407

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to examine: (1) the relationship between parental psychopathology and child psychopathology in military families and (2) parenting sense of competence as a mediator of the relationship between veteran psychopathology and child psychopathology. As part of their standard clinical evaluations, 215 treatment-seeking veterans who reported having a child between the ages of 4 and 17 were assessed for psychopathology (posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and stress), their sense of competence as a parent, and their child's psychopathology (internalizing, externalizing, and attentional symptoms). A path analysis model examining parenting sense of competence as a mediator of the relationship between veteran psychopathology and child psychopathology showed significant indirect effects of veteran depression on all child psychopathology outcomes via parenting sense of competence. Parental sense of competence may be a critical mechanism linking veteran depression and child psychopathology, and may therefore be an important target for intervention.


Subject(s)
Anxiety Disorders/psychology , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Parents/psychology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Veterans/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Anxiety Disorders/diagnosis , Child , Child, Preschool , Depressive Disorder/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Male , Parent-Child Relations , Parenting/psychology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/diagnosis
14.
Cogn Behav Pract ; 25(3): 377-390, 2018 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30147290

ABSTRACT

Moral injury refers to acts of commission or omission that violate individuals' moral or ethical standards. Morally injurious events are often synonymous with psychological trauma, especially in combat situations; thus, morally injurious events are often implicated in the development of PTSD for military service members and veterans. Although Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) have been well-established as effective treatments for veterans who are struggling with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it has been suggested that these two evidence-based therapies may not be sufficient for treating veterans whose PTSD resulted from morally injurious events. The purpose of this manuscript is to detail how the underlying theories of PE and CPT can account for moral-injury based PTSD and to describe two case examples of veterans with PTSD stemming from morally injurious events who were successfully treated with PE and CPT. The manuscript concludes with a summary of challenges that clinicians may face when treating veterans with PTSD resulting from moral injury using either PE or CPT.

15.
J Trauma Stress ; 30(6): 698-703, 2017 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29140560

ABSTRACT

Exposure to potentially morally injurious events has been shown to be associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms in military personnel. Few studies have examined factors that help to explain how potentially morally injurious events may contribute to the development of trauma-related psychopathology. Negative posttrauma cognitions are thought to play a role in the etiology of PTSD and depression following trauma; however, it is unclear whether more global beliefs about the self, others, and world play a role in the development of PTSD and depression due to morally injurious events. Using structural equation modeling, we tested whether morally injurious experiences were indirectly related to trauma-related psychopathology (PTSD and depression) through negative posttrauma cognitions in a sample of veterans seeking treatment for PTSD. An indirect effects only model best fit the data and showed that morally injurious experiences, specifically perceived transgressions by oneself and perceived betrayal, were indirectly associated with trauma-related psychopathology through negative posttrauma cognitions, Ɵ = .17; 95% CI [.04, .31] and Ɵ = .25; 95% CI [.11, .41], respectively. Our findings suggest that negative posttrauma cognitions may be an important mechanism linking exposure to morally injurious events and trauma-related psychopathology.


Subject(s)
Cognition , Depression/etiology , Morals , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/etiology , Veterans/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Afghan Campaign 2001- , Aged , Checklist , Depression/epidemiology , Depression/psychology , Humans , Iraq War, 2003-2011 , Middle Aged , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States , Young Adult
16.
J Clin Psychol ; 73(10): 1327-1342, 2017 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27906447

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To develop a more reliable and comprehensive version of the Parental Facilitation of Mastery Scale (PFMS) METHOD: In Study 1, 387 undergraduates completed an expanded PFMS (PFMS-II) and measures of parenting, perceived control, responses to early life challenges, and psychopathology. In Study 2, 182 trauma-exposed community participants completed the PFMS-II and measures of perceived control, psychopathology, and well-being RESULTS: In Study 1, exploratory factor analysis of the PFMS-II revealed two factors. These factors replicated in Study 2; one item was removed to achieve measurement invariance across race. The final PFMS-II comprised a 10-item overprotection scale and a 7-item challenge scale. In both samples, this measure demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity and was more reliable than the original PFMS. Parental challenge was a unique predictor of perceived control in both samples CONCLUSION: The PFMS-II is a valid measure of important parenting behaviors not fully captured in other measures.


Subject(s)
Internal-External Control , Mental Disorders/psychology , Parenting/psychology , Parents/psychology , Personal Satisfaction , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales/standards , Psychometrics/instrumentation , Self Efficacy , Surveys and Questionnaires/standards , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Reproducibility of Results , Young Adult
17.
J Trauma Stress ; 29(3): 268-72, 2016 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27121865

ABSTRACT

This pilot study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of tailored cognitive-behavioral resilience training (TCBRT) for trauma-exposed individuals with a variety of subsyndromal psychological symptoms. TCBRT is a brief, flexible intervention that allows individuals to select the areas they wish to target using common cognitive-behavioral change principles. There were 14 individuals (78.6% female) who were recruited from a major medical center and enrolled in the 5-session intervention. There were 12 (85.7%) who completed all TCBRT sessions, and 2 (14.3%) who dropped out after 3 sessions. All participants reported that they received benefit from, were engaged in, and were satisfied with the intervention. Of the 12 with postintervention data, 5 of the participants demonstrated reliable increases in resilience and 6 demonstrated reliable decreases in anxiety. These improvements appeared to be maintained at 2-month follow-up; of the 11 participants with follow-up data, 5 demonstrated reliable increases in resilience and 6 demonstrated reliable decreases in anxiety. Our findings suggested that TCRBT was acceptable to trauma-exposed individuals with varying types of subthreshold distress.


Subject(s)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/methods , Resilience, Psychological , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Adult , Aged , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects
18.
Psychooncology ; 24(11): 1529-35, 2015 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25628257

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Despite the potentially life-saving effects of stem cell transplant (SCT), many transplant patients experience traumatic stress reactions due to mortality threat, interpersonal isolation, financial and occupational loss, and invasive medical procedures. Emerging evidence suggests that trauma-related stress symptoms (TSS) predict significant health complications following SCT. The aim of the current prospective study was to examine TSS in the acute aftermath of SCT as a predictor of neutrophil recovery following SCT, a crucial component of immune defense against infection. METHODS: Fifty-one autologous SCT recipients were assessed for TSS 7 days after SCT. Patients' absolute neutrophil counts were collected from medical charts for the first 30 days following SCT. Hierarchical linear growth modeling was used to test the hypothesis that TSS at day 7 would be associated with delayed recovery of neutrophil counts from days 9 to 30 post SCT, that is, when neutrophil counts began to recover. RESULTS: As hypothesized, TSS measured 7 days after SCT was significantly associated with slower neutrophil recovery even after pre-existing TSS, depression, distress related to physical symptoms, and potential medical confounds were statistically controlled. Exploratory analyses showed that of the TSS symptom clusters, re-experiencing symptoms and hyperarousal symptoms predicted neutrophil recovery, whereas avoidance symptoms did not. CONCLUSION: Though traumatic stress symptoms may be a normative response to SCT, our findings suggest that TSS following SCT may interfere with neutrophil recovery and overall health. These results provide further insight as to potential mechanisms by which traumatic stress translates to poor medical outcomes for SCT patients.


Subject(s)
Neutrophils/physiology , Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects , Stem Cell Transplantation/psychology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/physiopathology , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Transplantation, Autologous
19.
Curr Psychiatry Rep ; 17(4): 560, 2015 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25749748

ABSTRACT

Several psychotherapies have been established as effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) including prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, and cognitive therapy for PTSD. Understanding the key mechanisms of these treatments, i.e., how these treatments lead to therapeutic benefits, will enable us to maximize the efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency of these therapies. This article provides an overview of the theorized mechanisms for each of these treatments, reviews the recent empirical evidence on psychological mechanisms of these treatments, discusses the ongoing debates in the field, and provides recommendations for future research. Few studies to date have examined whether changes in purported treatment mechanisms predict subsequent changes in treatment outcomes. Future clinical trials examining treatments for PTSD should use study designs that enable researchers to establish the temporal precedence of change in treatment mechanisms prior to symptom reduction. Moreover, further research is needed that explores the links between specific treatment components, underlying change mechanisms, and treatment outcomes.


Subject(s)
Cognition , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/psychology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/therapy , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/trends , Humans , Treatment Outcome
20.
Br J Psychiatry ; 204: 335-40, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24785767

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It is unclear how many children and adolescents develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after trauma. AIMS: To determine the incidence of PTSD in trauma-exposed children and adolescents as assessed with well-established diagnostic interviews and to examine potential moderators of the estimate. METHOD: A systematic literature search identified 72 peer-reviewed articles on 43 independent samples (n = 3563). Samples consisting only of participants seeking or receiving mental health treatment were excluded. Main analyses involved pooled incidence estimates and meta-analyses of variance. RESULTS: The overall rate of PTSD was 15.9% (95% CI 11.5-21.5), which varied according to the type of trauma and gender. Least at risk were boys exposed to non-interpersonal trauma (8.4%, 95% CI 4.7-14.5), whereas girls exposed to interpersonal trauma showed the highest rate (32.9%, 95% CI 19.8-49.3). No significant difference was found for the choice of assessment interview or the informant of the assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Research conducted with the best available assessment instruments shows that a significant minority of children and adolescents develop PTSD after trauma exposure, with those exposed to interpersonal trauma and girls at particular risk. The estimates provide a benchmark for DSM-5 and ICD-11.


Subject(s)
Life Change Events , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Prevalence
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