Affective experiences during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and posttraumatic growth: A 1-year longitudinal study in France.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in major restrictions on daily life that are undeniably detrimental to individual wellbeing. Nevertheless, there may be positive psychological changes over the longer term, particularly in the form of posttraumatic growth (PTG). METHODS: A total of 1075 individuals representative of the French population took part in an online survey during the first lockdown (T1: March to May 2020) and 1 year later (T2). Their affective experiences at T1 were analyzed, together with the development of PTG at T2. RESULTS: Three affective profiles were identified at T1: one associated with feelings of loneliness and depressive symptoms (Loneliness cluster), one with positive feelings (Happiness cluster), and one with rather negative feelings of anger and fear, but also a feeling of happiness (Negative-moderate cluster). PTG was generally low at T2, with the Negative-moderate cluster achieving the highest score. LIMITATIONS: This study was based on an online survey, and an exploratory cluster analysis was conducted. Complementary studies should be conducted to determine the predictive value of our findings. CONCLUSIONS: Within the space of 1 year following the first lockdown due to COVID-19, people living in France, especially those who had experienced a mixture of feelings during lockdown, appeared to develop some form of PTG. Nevertheless, PTG was rather weak overall.

[Posttraumatic growth in survivors of intimate partner violence: A French pilot study]. / La croissance post-traumatique chez les victimes de violences conjugales : une étude pilote dans la Vienne.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to: (1) evaluate posttraumatic growth in survivors of intimate partner violence, (2) compare and characterize this posttraumatic growth with the one measured in survivors of other types of violence, and (3) evaluate post-traumatic stress disorder and its relationship with posttraumatic growth in our clinical population. METHODS: We realized a monocentric pilot study in Poitiers (Vienne, France) recruiting 17 survivors of intimate partner violence and 42 survivors of other types of violence from two medical departments: the Unit of Forensic Medicine, where victims are oriented following complaints, and the Psychotrauma Center. Participants were administrated questionnaires comprising socio-demographics data and specific scales, namely the PTGI and PCL-5. RESULTS: We found a higher prevalence of posttraumatic growth in survivors of intimate partner violence (82 %), when compared with survivors of sexual assault and other interpersonal types of violence (52 % and 53 %, respectively). Posttraumatic growth was low to moderate, and faster as it was detected in victims recruited in the Unit of Forensic Medicine. All domains of posttraumatic growth were positively affected, i.e. higher scores from the PTGI were recorded in survivors of intimate partner violence. No difference was found when results were compared between groups from the Psychotrauma Center. We were unable to identify socio-demographic predictors of posttraumatic growth. À posttraumatic stress disorder was found in survivors of intimate partner violence, and negatively related to posttraumatic growth. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study comparing post-traumatic growth across such conditions and using specific and recognized scales. Our pilot study demonstrated that survivors of intimate partner violence were able to develop low to moderate posttraumatic growth faster than survivors of other types of violence. All domains of posttraumatic growth were affected, demonstrating the ability of survivors to withstand adversity. Scientific data regarding the link between posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress disorder is unclear, probably depending on the trauma, the circumstances, the timing of the measurement. In our study, we found a clear negative correlation between the two parameters. Our results underline the necessity to provide overall and rapid intervention in survivors of intimate partner violence, comprising legal, psychological, social and medical approaches, to facilitate the development of posttraumatic growth.

[Acculturation orientations and psychosocial adaptation among adolescents with immigrant background]. / Orientations d'acculturation et adaptation psychosociale des adolescents issus de l'immigration.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to explore the typology of adolescents with immigrant background based on the orientations of acculturation and to estimate the psychosocial adaptation of the various subtypes. METHOD: A sample of 228 French high school students with an immigrant background completed a questionnaire assessing acculturation orientations (Immigrant Acculturation Scale; Barrette et al., 2004), antisocial behaviors, depressive symptoms and self-esteem. Cluster analysis based on acculturation orientations was performed using the k-means method. RESULTS: Cluster analysis produced four distinct acculturation profiles: bicultural (31%), separated (28%), marginalized (21%), and assimilated-individualistic (20%). Adolescents in the separated and marginalized clusters, both characterized by rejection of the host culture, reported higher levels of antisocial behavior. Depressive symptoms and self-esteem did not differ between clusters. DISCUSSION: Several hypotheses may explain the association between separation and delinquency. First, separation and rejection of the host culture may lead to rebellious behavior such as delinquency. Conversely, delinquent behavior may provoke rejection or discrimination by peers or school, or legal sanctions that induce a reciprocal process of rejection of the host culture and separation. The relationship between separation and antisocial behavior may be bidirectional, each one reinforcing the other, resulting in a negative spiral. This study confirms the interest of the study of the orientations of acculturation in the understanding of the antisocial behavior of adolescents with immigrant background.

[Premature delivery: a traumatic birth? Posttraumatic stress symptoms and associated features]. / L'accouchement prématuré : une naissance traumatique ? Symptômes de stress posttraumatique et variables associées.

OBJECTIVES: While researches focusing on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following childbirth tend to develop, few studies have been conducted on French samples. The aim of the current study was to explore the prevalence rate of women developing postpartum PTSD following preterm birth and highlighting associated features. PATIENTS AND METHOD: In the 4weeks following the preterm infant's hospital discharge, a sample of 110 French women (mean age [SD]=29.5 [4.3]years) who delivered prematurely completed questionnaires assessing PTSD symptoms (Impact of Event Scale-Revised) postpartum depressive symptomatology (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), quality of marital relationship (Dyadic Adjustment Scale) and partner support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support). Sociodemographic and gynecologic data were also gathered. RESULTS: Thirty percent of our sample reported a score on the IES-R highlighting a probable posttraumatic stress disorder. Increased postpartum depressive symptoms (ß=0.47, P<0.05), having undergone a caesarian section (ß=0.24, P<0.05), and prior traumatic event (ß=0.20, P<0.05), were independently associated with the intensity of PTSD symptoms. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Given the traumatic impact of preterm birth on mothers, further studies focusing on the trauma of premature delivery are warranted.

[French validation of the Revised Paranormal Belief Scale]. / Validation française de la Revised Paranormal Belief Scale.

INTRODUCTION: For the last decades, many researchers have focused on paranormal beliefs. Beliefs in the existence of paranormal phenomena would be common and studies conducted in westernized countries have highlighted a high prevalence of individuals believing in the existence of such phenomena. Tobacyk and Milford (1984) developed the Revised Paranormal Belief Scale (RPBS) for assessing beliefs in paranormal phenomena. This 26-item self-reported questionnaire, measuring beliefs in phenomena such as witchcraft or superstition, is one of the most widely used questionnaires to assess such beliefs. While studies focusing on paranormal beliefs tend to develop, there is no French self-report instrument to assess this construct. Researchers have tried to identify specific variables that might be linked to such beliefs, and some have focused on personalities of individuals who believe in the paranormal. Schizotypy has been reported to be significantly and positively correlated with paranormal beliefs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was a) to validate the French version of the RPBS and b) to explore the relationship between Schizotypal Personality Disorder traits and paranormal beliefs. METHODS: After being recruited using the Internet and social networks (e.g. facebook), a sample of 313 participants (mean [SD] age=31.12 [11.62]; range 18-58years) completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ-B), assessing Schizotypal Personality Disorder traits and the Revised Paranormal Belief Scale assessing paranormal beliefs. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to test the proposed 7-factor structure of the RPB developed by Tobacyk. Several adjustment indices were used to evaluate the model. As the first model did not fit the original one, others models were tested. Our findings indicated that a seven-factor solution, excluding 2 items, best described the item structure: (1) spiritualism, (2) superstition, (3) witchcraft, (4) precognition, (5) traditional religious belief, (6) psi, (7) and extraordinary life forms. Relationships between paranormal beliefs and Schizotypal Personality Disorder traits were also explored. Correlations between some subscales of the SPQ-B and some dimensions of the RPBS were found. The "cognition-perception" subscale was strongly correlated with the "witchcraft", "spirituality", "precognition" and "psi" subscales. Nevertheless, this subscale was lightly correlated with the "traditional religious belief" and "extraordinary life forms" dimensions. No correlation was found between the others dimensions of schizotypy as "disorganized" and "interpersonal" and dimensions of paranormal beliefs. DISCUSSION: The initial model developed by Tobacyk and Milford did not fit the data from the French population. The low internal consistencies regarding both superstition and extraordinary life forms dimensions highlighted some cultural differences that have to be acknowledged. This result emphasizes that beliefs in some extraordinary life forms as Loch Ness monster are not an important dimension to take into account in a French population. Our findings also indicate that the RPBS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing paranormal beliefs in a French population. Our findings also highlight that such beliefs are associated with Schizotypal Personality Disorder traits. Developing research on the association between Schizotypal Personality Disorder traits and such beliefs appears of prime importance. Future studies focusing on features associated with paranormal beliefs are also warranted.

[Cannabis use and antisocial behaviors in high-school students]. / Consommation de cannabis et comportements antisociaux dans un échantillon d'adolescents scolarisés.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the contribution of cannabis to the prediction of delinquent behaviors. METHOD: Participants were 312 high-school students who completed self-report questionnaires measuring antisocial behaviors, the frequency of cannabis and alcohol use, psychopathic traits using the Youth Psychopathic traits Inventory, borderline traits, depressive symptoms, socio-economic status, life events, attachment to parents, and low academic achievement. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to investigate the contribution of cannabis use and potential confounding variables to antisocial behaviors. RESULTS: Boys reported a greater number of delinquent behaviors than girls (10.2±9.2 vs. 5.4±5.3, t=9.2, P<0.001). Thirty-seven percent of boys and 24 % of girls reported having used cannabis at least once during the last six months (P<0.001). Among cannabis users, boys reported a greater frequency of use than girls: average use for boys was 2-3 times per month whereas average use for girls was once a month (3.4±2.3 vs. 2.6±2, t=2.9, P=0.004). Cannabis users reported a greater number of antisocial behaviors than non-users (13.2±9.9 vs. 6.1±6.3, t=13.6, P<0.001). Multiple regression analyses showed that cannabis use was a significant independent predictor of antisocial behaviors in both gender (ß=.35, P<.001 in boys, ß=.29, P<.001 in girls) after adjustment for alcohol use, psychopathological and sociofamilial variables. DISCUSSION: The unique and independent association between frequency of cannabis use and antisocial behaviors does not indicate the causal direction of the relationship. It may be that cannabis use induces antisocial behaviors by enhancing impulsivity or irritability or by the need for money to buy cannabis. Conversely, antisocial behaviors may lead to cannabis use either through becoming used to transgressions or through the influence of delinquent peers using cannabis. This link is probably bidirectional, cannabis use and antisocial behaviors influencing mutually in a negative interactive spiral. This association suggests that these two problems are to be jointly approached when treating adolescents using cannabis or having antisocial behaviors.