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This study investigates the psychological trauma (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout) that is experienced by EMS personnel in their working environment and its effects on marital satisfaction. It is hypothesized that EMS personnel experience psychological trauma at their workplace and these trauma has a negative effects on marital satisfaction. The study was conducted in Capricorn district – Limpopo Province (South Africa). A total of 200 participants Male=152, Female=48, aged between 19 to 65 years and who are working with traumatized people. The measuring instruments that are utilized to measure psychological trauma and marital satisfaction are PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C), Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL-R III) and Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire for Older Persons (MSOFOP). The findings indicate that the majority of EMS personnel incur Secondary Traumatic Stress and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a result of their work. The findings also indicate that EMS personnel do not experience burnout at their workplace. Findings further show significant positive correlation between psychological trauma (secondary traumatic stress and posttraumatic stress disorder) and marital satisfaction. This implies that EMS personnel who are traumatized by helping as part of their work are dissatisfied with their marriage. The theoretical and clinical implications of these results were discussed

BACKGROUND: Intrusive memories of psychologically traumatic events bring distress both sub-clinically and clinically. This parallel-group, two-arm randomised controlled trial evaluated the effect of a brief behavioural intervention on reducing intrusive memories in frontline healthcare workers exposed to traumatic events during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Participants with at least two intrusive memories of work-related trauma in the week before recruitment were randomised 1:1 to an imagery-competing task intervention (n = 73) or attention-based control task (n = 71). The number of intrusive memories was assessed at baseline and 5 weeks after the guided session (primary endpoint). RESULTS: The intervention significantly reduced intrusive memory frequency compared with control [intervention Mdn = 1.0 (IQR = 0-3), control Mdn = 5.0 (IQR = 1-17); p < 0.0001, IRR = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.17-0.53] and led to fewer post-traumatic stress-related symptoms at 1, 3 and 6 month follow-ups (secondary endpoints). Participants and statisticians were blinded to allocation. Adverse events data were acquired throughout the trial, demonstrating safety. There was high adherence and low attrition. CONCLUSIONS: This brief, single-symptom, repeatable digital intervention for subclinical-to-clinical samples after trauma allows scalability, taking a preventing-to-treating approach after trauma. TRIAL REGISTRATION: 2020-07-06, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04460014.

Objective: To compare the number and severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and associated caregiver distress between those with and without a noted history of psychological trauma among those referred to a specialised national dementia NPS support service. Methods: This was a 5-year retrospective observational study of records from the Dementia Support Australia NPS support service. NPS were reported by formal or informal caregivers at service entry using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Nursing Home version or Questionnaire version. A history of psychological trauma was recorded in the person's social or medical history and/or endorsed as a contributor to NPS by a trained dementia consultant after a comprehensive clinical review. Regression was used to examine the impact of a recorded history of psychological trauma on NPS severity and associated caregiver distress, controlling for age and sex. Results: Among 41,876 eligible referrals with dementia, 6% (n = 2529) had some reference in their records to a history of psychological trauma. Referrals with a recorded history of psychological trauma were rated with a higher rate of both NPS severity (mean = 12.0) and associated caregiver distress (mean = 16.5) at service entry than those without a recorded history of psychological trauma (means = 10.7 and 14.5, respectively). A recorded history of psychological trauma was associated with higher odds of psychotic symptoms, agitation/aggression, irritability, disinhibition, affective symptoms and night-time behaviours. Conclusions: Traumatic stress symptoms may represent a neglected target for intervention to reduce the impact of NPS in people with dementia.

BACKGROUND: According to scientific literature, burnout can be described as a multidimensional syndrome with three fundamental dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment. Every day, clown -doctors, play therapists, teachers and volunteers, such as ceramic art therapists, work in pediatric cancer wards to improve the quality of life of hospitalized children and activate positive resources during their therapeutic journey. METHODS: This study investigated burnout levels and the relationship between work -related stress and resilience in a total of 36 operators (clown -doctors, in -hospital teachers, play therapists, and ceramic art therapists), working at the Unit of Pediatric Oncology of IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation in Rome, Italy. All participants completed a battery of questionnaires to evaluate burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory) and resilience (Connor -Davidson Resilience Scale). RESULTS: The results of this study show that these workers are exposed to work -related stress and that the burnout levels are not homogeneous across the various groups considered. The results also show the need to provide non -health hospital workers with a psychological support service or ensure the presence of a mental health professional to help them avoid the risk of burnout. CONCLUSIONS: The heavy emotional burden endured by these operators makes them vulnerable and exposes them to burnout.

Adverse childhood and adult experiences can affect health outcomes throughout life and across generations. The perinatal period offers a critical opportunity for obstetric clinicians to partner with patients to provide support and improve outcomes. This article draws on stakeholder input, expert opinion, and available evidence to provide recommendations for obstetric clinicians' inquiry about and response to pregnant patients' past and present adversity and trauma during prenatal care encounters. Trauma-informed care is a universal intervention that can proactively address adversity and trauma and support healing, even if a patient does not explicitly disclose past or present adversity. Inquiry about past and present adversity and trauma provides an avenue to offer support and to create individualized care plans. Preparatory steps to adopting a trauma-informed approach to prenatal care include initiating education and training for practice staff, prioritizing addressing racism and health disparities, and establishing patient safety and trust. Inquiry about adversity and trauma, as well as resilience factors, can be implemented gradually over time through open-ended questions, structured survey measures, or a combination of both techniques. A range of evidence-based educational resources, prevention and intervention programs, and community-based initiatives can be included within individualized care plans to improve perinatal health outcomes. These practices will be further developed and improved by increased clinical training and research, as well as through broad adoption of a trauma-informed approach and collaboration across specialty areas.

Historical, cultural, and social trauma, along with social determinants of health (SDOH), shape health outcomes, attitudes toward medicine, government, and health behaviors among communities of color in the United States (U.S.). This study explores how trauma and fear influence COVID-19 testing and vaccination among Black/African American, Latinx/Indigenous Latin American, and Native American/Indigenous communities. Leveraging community-based participatory research methods, we conducted 11 virtual focus groups from January to March of 2021 with Black/African American (n = 4), Latinx/Indigenous Latin American (n = 4), and Native American/Indigenous (n = 3) identifying community members in Inland Southern California. Our team employed rapid analytic approaches (e.g., template and matrix analysis) to summarize data and identify themes across focus groups and used theories of intersectionality and trauma to meaningfully interpret study findings. Historical, cultural, and social trauma induce fear and mistrust in public health and medical institutions influencing COVID-19 testing and vaccination decisions in communities of color in Inland Southern California. This work showcases the need for culturally and structurally sensitive community-based health interventions that attend to the historical, cultural, and social traumas unique to racial/ethnic minority populations in the U.S. that underlie fear and mistrust of medical, scientific, and governmental institutions.

The article explores the representation of psychological traumas afflicted by war in contemporary literary writing by Burundian (African) and Ukrainian (European) authors who were witnesses of the events described in their works. Based on the existing linguistic and psychological theoretical approaches to the phenomenon of a mental wound, a comparative perspective is provided on the nature, literary, and linguistic manifestations of psychological trauma in Burundian novels by Antoine Kaburahe and Marie-Therese Toyi, presenting the tragic, but stoic experience during the civil war in the East African country, and the shocked, but resilient experience of Ukrainian civilians during the full-scale aggression of the russian federation in the Ukrainian diary (Serhiy Zhadan) and essay writing (Ilya Kaminsky, Ludmila Khersonsky, Zarina Zabrisky, Elena Andreychykova, Andrei Krasniashikh) available in English translation. The implemented analysis allows for a deeper understanding of the effects of wartime psychological trauma on the lives of an individual. Due to a more distant time perspective, the protagonists of Burundian texts reveal both the tragedy of the interethnic civil war conflict and the importance of addressing the causes of the conflict to prevent its replication in the future. In the Ukrainian texts, the initial stage of psychological trauma obtaining can be observed, which accounts for a range of the related emotional states among the characters who do not fully realize yet the traumatization process they have been going through during the first days and weeks of the russian military invasion. The narrative structure of the Burundian and Ukrainian texts was also highlighted, which helped identify traces of oral story-telling tradition (African texts) and broad allusions to the historical and cultural phenomena (Ukrainian texts).

The article argues that Sara Colangelo’s Worth (2020) problematizes the monetization of the terror disaster. It explores the hegemonic politics involved in terming some lives more (un)grievable in monetary terms. The film highlights that the loss of lives and bodily injuries in a terror disaster cannot be converted into tangible monetary value. Instead, it emphasizes that all lives are equally grievable irrespective of their economic loss value. There needs to be democratic mourning that grieves the loss of all lives equally. The article draws on the works of trauma and memory studies theorists to analyze the primary data. The paper explores the social and economic aspects of trauma and the psychological perspective. It argues that mourning requires a democratic approach, particularly one that acknowledges and laments the loss of every life with equal weight. Worth exposes the inequitable treatment of victims and questions the underlying power dynamics in society by questioning the monetization of terrorist events. In the end, this paper promotes a more open-minded and sympathetic attitude to collective and individual trauma and raises an understanding of the intricate and multifaceted nature of mourning.

Backed by both research and practice, the organizational psychology field has come to value emotional intelligence (EI) as being vital for leader and employee effectiveness. While this field values EI, it has paid little attention to the antecedents of emotional intelligence, leaving the EI domain without clarity on (1) why EI might vary across individuals, and (2) how to best develop EI. In this article, we rely on neuroscience and psychology research to make the case that past psychological trauma impacts later EI capabilities. Specifically, we present evidence that psychological trauma impairs the brain areas and functions that support EI. Establishing psychological trauma has valuable theoretical and practical implications that include providing an explanation of why EI might vary across individuals and providing a focus for improving EI: healing from past trauma. Further theoretical and practical implications for the field of organizational psychology are provided.

The present article studies war-related trauma and its effects on children living in the Gaza Strip, 6 months after the attack launched by the Israeli army on July 8, 2014, which lasted for 51 days. The objective was twofold: (a) to identify the prevalence of exposure to traumatic events and (b) to examine the symptoms of traumatic stress in children as described by their parents or tutors using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ). Data from 1,850 male and female children aged between 6 and 15 years living in the Gaza Strip were collected throughout the months of February and April 2015, that is 6 months after the attack. Results showed that the majority of the children were exposed to bombardments and residential area destruction (83.51%), were confined at home unable to go outside (72.92%), were witness to the profanation of mosques (70.38%), were exposed to combat situations (66.65%), and saw corpses (59.95%). A sample of 275 males (28.3%) and 232 females (26.5%) showed diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Gender and age were independent of PTSD. The presence of this pathology was positively related to the number of trauma events experienced. The type of traumatic experience was hardly related to age and gender. A greater protection on behalf of the families against exposure to traumatic events could explain these differences., Depto. de Psicología Experimental, Procesos Cognitivos y Logopedia, Depto. de Personalidad, Evaluación y Psicología Clínica, Fac. de Psicología, TRUE, pub

This essay deals with the footprint left by civil-military governments on the societies of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. A systematic study of the reciprocal action between human rights and mental health was carried out.Central questions: 1.- Is it possible to formulate and express, clearly and concisely the characteristics of psychosocial injury? 2.- Is the experiential dimension of those affected and their social environment ac-cessible to understanding? and 3.- Are there promising ways of social and cultural interaction to overcome the effects of integral damage?Elements of psychosocial injury studied: a) Kidnapping and “forced disappearance” of opponents of the regime; b) Systematic torture c) Control and manipulation of the media and d) Exile and forced dis-placement of people.Based on field and documentary research, this essay gives rise to an analysis of the circumstances of harm in individuals and communities at that time and their treatment in each society., Este ensayo aborda la impronta de los gobiernos cívico-militares en las sociedades de Argentina, Chile y Uruguay. Se plantea un estudio sistemático de la acción recíproca entre derechos humanos y salud mental. Preguntas centrales: 1.- ¿Es posible expresar en forma clara y concisa las características de lesión psi-cosocial? 2.- ¿Es accesible a la comprensión la dimensión vivencial de los afectados y su entorno social? y 3.- ¿Existen vías de interacción social y cultural promisorias para superar los efectos de daño integral?Elementos estudiados de lesión psicosocial: a) Secuestro y “Desaparición forzada” de opositores al régi-men; b) Tortura física y psicológica sistemática c) Control y manipulación de los medios de comunicación y d) Exilio y desplazamiento forzado de personas.Basado en investigaciones de campo y documentales, este ensayo da curso a un análisis de las circunstan-cias de daño en individuos y comunidades en esa época y de su trato en cada sociedad.

Addressing the mental health needs of healthcare staff exposed to psychologically traumatic events at work during the COVID-19 pandemic is a pressing global priority. We need to swiftly develop interventions to target the psychological consequences (e.g., persistent intrusive memories of trauma). Interventions for healthcare staff must be brief, flexible, fitted around the reality and demands of working life under the pandemic, and repeatable during ongoing/further trauma exposure. Intervention delivery during the pandemic should be remote to mitigate risk of infection; e.g., here using a blend of digitalized self-administered materials (e.g., video instructions) and guided (remote) support from a researcher. This parallel groups, two-arm, randomised controlled trial (RCT) with healthcare staff working during the COVID-19 pandemic is the first evaluation of whether a digitalized form of a brief cognitive task intervention, which is remotely-delivered (guided), reduces intrusive memories. Healthcare staff (target N = 130 completers) who experience intrusive memories of work-related traumatic event(s) during the COVID-19 pandemic (≥2 in the week before inclusion) will be randomly allocated (1:1) to receive either the cognitive task intervention or an active (attention placebo) control, and followed up at 1-week, 1-month, 3-months, and 6-months post-intervention. The primary outcome will be the number of intrusive memories reported during Week 5; secondary and other outcomes include the number of intrusive memories reported during Week 1, and other intrusive symptoms. Findings will inform further development and dissemination of a brief cognitive task intervention to target intrusive memories.

Violence is an antisocial behaviour which is intended to hurt and inflict pain on victims. This study therefore empirically investigated the librarians’ perception of violence on the student librarians. The study employed descriptive survey design while the study was guided by five research questions based on the objectives of the study as well as one null hypothesis. The sampled population for the study was 132 librarians made up of 97 male and 36 female whereas, the primary instrument used to obtain data was a 34-item librarian perception of violence on the student-librarian questionnaire developed by the researcher. The data collected were analyzed using mean scores, standard deviation while student t-test was used to test the formulated null hypothesis. The outcome of the study reveals that librarians have adequate perception of the nature and manifestation of violence on the student librarian. On the other hand, the librarians’ perception of violence on the student-librarian was restricted to physical and not psychological violation on the student-librarian’s right. The study also discovered the need to define violence on the student-librarian as to embrace any violation of the student’s right that may impede the health, total development and academic performance of the student. It is against these backdrops and more that recommendations were made which include that training programmes and workshops should be organized for librarians to address psychological conceptions of violence on the student-librarian.

Background Women with a history of physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). Meta-analyses report that cognitive behavioural therapies (CBTs), followed by eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are the most studied psychotherapies for trauma treatment. Focus primarily lies on individual therapy – even though some studies on group therapy for trauma treatment also exist. Few studies exist regarding other alternative therapy forms, such as art-based psychotherapies or body-focused therapies. Aim This study investigated effects from the group music and imagery (GrpMI) method – a type of receptive music therapy – on trauma-related symptoms in women suffering from PTSD or CPTSD after physical, psychological, and/or sexual abuse. Material and methods Using a randomized controlled parallel-group design, a sample of 45 women were either assigned to a treatment group (T) who received 12 weekly treatment sessions of GrpMI or to a waiting list control group (WLC). Self-report scales were administered immediately before and after the intervention and at a three-month follow-up Results A two-way mixed ANOVA showed a large group-by-time interaction effect on PTSD symptom severity (F(1, 42) = 8.68, p = .005 and Cohen's d = 0.94). A repeated-measures ANOVA showed a large effect within the T group (F(1, 20) = 16.6, p = .001, dav = 1.02), and the improvement remained at follow-up. The drop-out rate in the T group was as low as 4.5%. Conclusion The findings suggest that GrpMI may be efficacious for treating women with PTSD/CPTSD, but further controlled studies with larger samples are warranted. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Registration number: NCT03503526)

Idag finns ett starkt forskningsstöd som visar att små barn utvecklar PTSD eller andra stressrelaterade symtom i samband med trauma i lika eller högre grad än äldre barn, ungdomar och vuxna. De yngsta barnens starka beroende av sina vårdnadshavare för överlevnad och skydd i kombination med deras utvecklingsmässiga omognad gör de minsta barnen till en särskilt utsatt och sårbar grupp. Syftet med denna litteraturöversikt är att undersöka forskningsstödet för olika psykoterapeutiska metoder för små barn (noll till fem år) med trauma. Översikten omfattar 29 artiklar med olika metodologiska tillvägagångssätt. Sammanfattningsvis visar litteraturöversikten att det saknas forskning om behandling av små barn samt att det finns studier som påtalar behov av att anpassa behandlingen till barnens ålder och behov. Detta inkluderar till exempel att involvera barnets primära omsorgsperson/er, att använda lek som metod, att ge åldersanpassad psykoedukation samt att identifiera känslor utifrån ålder och mognad. Framtida forskning om små barn har flera frågeställningar som behöver besvaras; Hur går en evidensbaserad diagnostisk process till för de små barnen? Vilka symtom behöver premieras i behandlingen? Vilka barn bör erbjudas behandling och hur kan effekten av terapin mätas? Ytterligare studier med fokus på genomförbarhet och enhetliga utfallsmått rekommenderas., There is ample evidence to suggest that infants and small children can develop PTSD and other stress-related symptoms as a result of trauma, to an equal or greater degree than older children, adolescents and adults. Particularly, their strong reliance and dependence on their caregivers for protection and survival, in combination with their developmental immaturity, makes them an especially vulnerable group. This review aims to investigate the evidence base for varying psychotherapeutic methods specifically targeting small children zero to five years of age who have experienced trauma. A structured search was conducted using two databases; PsychInfo and Web of Science. The results includes 29 articles with diverse methodological approaches. In essence, the discussion highlights that there is sparse research concerning small children and the treatment of trauma. Studies that exist, put forward the need to conduct therapy with the small children and their caregivers, so called “dyadic therapy” regardless of psychotherapeutic orientation. Also, adapting therapy to suit the small children's cognitive, language and social development is imperative. This is done, for example, through the use of play, by providing age appropriate psychoeducation, and identifying emotions based on age and maturity. Still, there are many questions remaining that may need to be answered in order to provide evidence-based treatment to small children and their families, for example; How do we best conduct an evidence-based assessment of trauma in small children? Which trauma-symptoms should be treated and how should the treatment outcome be measured? Further studies are recommended.

Acts of terrorism, being highly prevalent across the world, disrupt community and social functioning and can lead to negative psychological reactions in individuals. However, positive outcomes can also be evoked after adverse experiences. The current study aimed to explore two salutogenic or positive outcomes—resilience and posttraumatic growth (PTG)—following exposure to terrorist attacks. The sample included 331 university students who were exposed to a terrorist attack in Turkey during the last 18 months prior to data collection. Participants responded to the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, and a participant information form. The relationship between resilience and PTG was examined through correlation analysis and regression analyses with linear and quadratic components. Resilience and PTG were positively correlated. Tendency toward spirituality was the only resilience domain that was significantly correlated with all domains of growth. Total score of resilience was significantly associated with scores on all subscales of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory except appreciation of life. Results indicated that only linear relationships existed between domains of resilience and PTG in the study sample. The positive and linear association between resilience and PTG suggests that resilience may be an important tool for facilitating growth. After terrorist attacks, mental health care planning should adopt a patient-centered approach that acknowledges the possibility of positive outcomes following traumatic events and focuses on the impact as well as recovery phases in traumatized individuals. © 2020 American Psychological Association

Acts of terrorism, being highly prevalent across the world, disrupt community and social functioning and can lead to negative psychological reactions in individuals. However, positive outcomes can also be evoked after adverse experiences. The current study aimed to explore two salutogenic or positive outcomes—resilience and posttraumatic growth (PTG)—following exposure to terrorist attacks. The sample included 331 university students who were exposed to a terrorist attack in Turkey during the last 18 months prior to data collection. Participants responded to the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, and a participant information form. The relationship between resilience and PTG was examined through correlation analysis and regression analyses with linear and quadratic components. Resilience and PTG were positively correlated. Tendency toward spirituality was the only resilience domain that was significantly correlated with all domains of growth. Total score of resilience was significantly associated with scores on all subscales of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory except appreciation of life. Results indicated that only linear relationships existed between domains of resilience and PTG in the study sample. The positive and linear association between resilience and PTG suggests that resilience may be an important tool for facilitating growth. After terrorist attacks, mental health care planning should adopt a patient-centered approach that acknowledges the possibility of positive outcomes following traumatic events and focuses on the impact as well as recovery phases in traumatized individuals. © 2020 American Psychological Association

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected a significant number of individuals worldwide, is generating serious mental health issues. Recovered COVID-19 patients have experienced traumatic events related to their symptoms, isolation, possible hospitalization, bereavement, fear of infecting loved ones and the physical consequences of COVID-19. One effective psychological treatment for these patients is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). The aim of this paper is to describe the therapeutic intervention and effects of EMDR in a pool of COVID-19 survivors referred to an integrated psychological/psychiatric outpatient service. Twelve patients, comprising of nine males and three females, underwent EMDR psychotherapy from October 2020 to February 2022. Each patient received 8–16 weekly treatment sessions. The standard EMDR protocol of eight stages was administered to enable desensitization and reprocessing of four main targets: first positive swab, hospitalization, isolation and fear for relatives' health. Efficacy of EMDR was demonstrated by the significant improvement at clinical scale for subjective distress caused by traumatic events. For the therapists, carrying out these treatments was an intense and challenging experience. In fact, the perceived distance between therapist and patient was less defined than in other hospital settings because the pandemic affects everyone equally. However, with the widespread availability of vaccines and although the pandemic is still ongoing with the emergence of new variants, a window of improvement in the mental health landscape is starting to open up.

Aim: Millions of Ukrainian children have been internally displaced or fled to other countries because of the Russian war. This systematic review focused on their health needs and future challenges for clinicians. Methods: A systematic literature search of the Medline, Embase and MedRxiv databases from 1 January 2010 to 31 March 2022 identified 1628 papers on the health of Ukrainian children and 112 were relevant to this review. Results: In 2019, under-5 mortality was 8 per 1000 live births in Ukraine. Underweight and adverse childhood experiences, including child abuse, were frequent compared to other European countries, while childhood obesity seemed less common. Alcohol consumption was common in women of reproductive age, including during pregnancy, risking foetal alcohol syndrome. Neonatal screening programmes provided low coverage. Vaccine hesitancy was common and vaccination rates were low. Other concerns were measles, HIV, antibiotic resistance and multi-resistant tuberculosis. Many children are expected to suffer from psychological and physical trauma due to the war. Other healthcare challenges include low COVID-19 vaccination rates and a preference for secondary and tertiary care, rather than primary care. Many people cannot afford medication. Conclusion: Ukrainian children often have poor health and host countries need to be aware of their needs.

The present work sought to examine the relationship between stress of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) disease, psychological trauma, and burnout, and whether subjective well-being (SWB), sense of coherence (SOC), and posttraumatic growth (PTG) mediated the relationship between the three constructs in a group of professional healthcare workers engaged on the frontline during the outbreak in Palestine. Results indicated that SWB, SOC, and PTG mediated the association between the stress of COVID, symptoms of trauma, and burnout. The psychological burdens of the ongoing military occupation have been exacerbated by the COVID outbreak, exposing health workers to additional stressors during their work and everyday life. However, a SOC associated with SWB and PTG might be a protective factor for trauma during the pandemic. Implications for health-care providers empowerment are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: The current study describes insomnia precipitating events reported by women Veterans and examines differences in sleep and psychological distress variables in those who endorsed traumatic, nontraumatic, or no insomnia precipitating events. PARTICIPANTS: Baseline data were collected from 347 women Veterans enrolled in a behavioral sleep intervention study (NCT02076165). METHODS: Participants completed self-report measures of insomnia symptoms, sleep quality, sleep efficiency (SE), nightmare frequency, and depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms; SE was also assessed by wrist actigraphy. Participants responded to 2 open-ended questions assessing stressful life events and health changes that coincided with insomnia symptom onset. Responses were coded as traumatic, nontraumatic, and no events. Analyses of covariance examined the effect of insomnia precipitating event type on sleep and psychological symptom variables after controlling for sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Overall, 25.80% of participants endorsed traumatic events, 65.80% endorsed only nontraumatic events, and 8.41% endorsed no events. Participants who endorsed traumatic events reported more severe insomnia (p = .003), PTSD (p = .001), and depression symptoms (p = .012), and poorer quality of sleep (p = .042) than participants who endorsed no events. Participants who endorsed traumatic events reported more severe PTSD symptoms (p = .004), a longer duration of sleep problems (p = .001), and poorer quality of sleep (p = .039) than participants who endorsed nontraumatic events. Participants who endorsed nontraumatic events reported more severe insomnia (p = .029) and PTSD (p = .049) symptoms than participants who endorsed no events. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma as a precipitant for insomnia may be related to higher symptom severity in women Veterans. Implications for treatment engagement and effectiveness remain unstudied.

The current worldwide so-called 'refugee crisis' has led to an unprecedented increase in migration globally. Because of stigma and language barriers, mental health care for refugees is limited. There is a need for novel, scalable psychological interventions. We investigated whether a brief behavioural intervention involving a memory reminder cue and Tetris gameplay on a smartphone reduces intrusive memories in refugees using a single case (N = 4) ABAB withdrawal design. The baseline phase (A) included a no-intervention week; the intervention phase (B) included an in-person session with the researchers, comprised of the behavioural intervention followed by self-guided use in daily life the following week. All participants reported a decrease in intrusive memories after the intervention, as well as functional improvements (e.g., in concentration). Importantly, participants rated the intervention as feasible and acceptable. As one in-person session was effective in persistent intrusion reduction, ABAB proved not to be the optimal design as intrusions did not rebound in the withdrawal phase. Findings are promising and highlight the need for further evaluation of novel interventions for mental health problems in refugees., https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2489

On the basis of converging research, we concluded that the controversial topic of unconscious blockage of psychological trauma (i.e., repressed memory) remains very much alive in clinical, legal, and academic contexts. In his commentary, Brewin (this issue, p. 443) conducted a cocitation analysis and concluded that scholars do not adhere to the concept of unconscious repression. Furthermore, he argued that previous survey research did not specifically assess unconscious repression. Here, we present critical evidence that runs counter to his claims. First, we inspected his cocitation analysis and found that some scholars support notions that are closely related to unconscious repression. Furthermore, we conducted another analysis on the basis of articles' similarity. Again, we found examples of scholars specifically endorsing unconscious repressed memories. Second, as opposed to what Brewin reports, recent survey research now exists that bears directly on people's beliefs regarding unconscious repression. This work reveals that large percentages of people (e.g., students and eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing [EMDR] clinicians) endorse the concept of unconscious repressed memories. The belief in unconscious repressed memory can continue to contribute to harmful consequences in clinical, legal, and academic domains (e.g., false accusations of abuse).

Creating a healthy psychological environment in the family is a guarantee of the child's harmonious development and allows him to fully discover his potential, that is, his inner potential. Under what conditions will these be successful? That's a lot It depends on the attitude of parents to the birth of a child in need of special assistance in the family, what path and method of raising him, to understand the peculiarities of the child's development and to maintain mutual respect between family members. In parents who know that their children are not like everyone else, the emotional response to the situation develops in several stages.

It is well known that psychological stress and trauma in a person is a reality that we encounter in our social life. In recent years, around the world the scale of women who are under the pressure and at the result of it, go through post-traumatic stress disorder have increased. This scientific article analyzes the psychological complications and rehabilitation of post-traumatic stress disorder in women. Factors such as the role of women in society, their socio-psychological characteristics, the manifestation of moral qualities and the specificity of character traits are also studied.

Individuals with bulimia nervosa report elevated rates of childhood maltreatment, which appears to increase risk for co-occurring substance use problems and negatively impact clinical course. The current study sought to examine the mechanistic pathways by which specific forms of childhood maltreatment may give rise to substance use problems among individuals with bulimic-spectrum pathology. Women with bulimic-spectrum disorders (N = 204) completed measures of childhood trauma, emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and substance use. Path analysis was used to examine emotion dysregulation and impulsivity as mediators of the relationship between distinct forms of childhood trauma (physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual abuse) and the presence of problematic alcohol/drug use. In the full path model, significant pathways from childhood emotional abuse to emotion dysregulation, childhood emotional neglect to impulsivity, and emotion dysregulation to problematic substance use emerged. Further, emotion dysregulation significantly mediated the relationship between emotional abuse and substance use. Results indicate that emotion dysregulation may be an important mechanism linking a history of childhood emotional maltreatment to later eating and substance use problems, and therefore may be an important treatment target among individuals with co-occurring eating and substance use concerns.Childhood emotional abuse was related to greater emotion dysregulation.Childhood emotional neglect was related to greater impulsivity.Emotion dysregulation was related to greater problematic substance use.Emotional abuse may impact substance use through emotion dysregulation.Creating emotion dysregulation may improve substance and eating disorder symptoms.

Being a cross-cultural systemic therapist, clinical supervisor, and educator means that culture and language are central to my work. They provide a scaffold to develop deeper understanding, increased trust, and connection between myself and my supervisees, students, and clients and facilitate a process for the latter to connect to their own selves and values. Given the fear and uncertainty generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, there exists a pervasive activation of the sympathetic nervous system in the community. In this article, I present two case studies as examples of a cross-cultural/cross-linguistic approach that facilitates two clients to find a place of comfort and calmness and consequently a balancing activation of the para-sympathetic nervous system. First is a client who, due to the overwhelming pandemic chaos, suddenly exhibited a host of signs and symptoms of a functional neurological nature, which she experienced as a lack of control and disconnection from her body, her primary language, and herself. Within a trusted therapeutic relationship that draws on the culture and primary language of the therapist, the client regains connection with language and enhances her ability to communicate and connect with her body. Second is an international student who is encouraged to use her culture of origin and primary language to induce calmness, reconnect with herself, and return to the familiar as a ‘known’ collectively inclusive, comforting, and nurturing environment.

BACKGROUND: The current study explored how to recruit patients soon after a traumatic event, to deliver a novel intervention in a new emergency department in Sweden. This brief behavioral intervention aims to prevent intrusive memories and is delivered soon after trauma in the emergency department. In the UK, it has shown promising results. Traumatic events resulting in admission to the emergency department (e.g., road traffic accidents) may result in subsequent mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, where intrusive memories of the trauma constitute a core clinical feature. Early interventions that prevent intrusive memories after psychological trauma are lacking. Specific aims were to explore identification of eligible patients (aim 1), fitting in with emergency department staff routines to deliver the study protocol (aim 2), and using the patients' own smartphones to deliver intervention/control task (aim 3). Two changes to the previous study were (i) extending the trauma types included (ii) a new control condition, also by smartphone. METHODS: This is an explorative observational study. Data was both analyzed descriptively and using the Framework method. RESULTS: We identified several possible ways to recruit patients, and establish a sense of embeddedness in the Swedish emergency department context and a positive appreciation from staff. The study protocol was tested with 8 participants. Tasks both in the intervention and control condition were readily delivered via patients' own smartphones. CONCLUSION: Recruitment of patients and smartphone delivery of the intervention indicates initial feasibility. Researcher presence and administration of study procedures was successfully fitted to emergency department routines and well received by staff. Further pilot work is warranted, underscoring the importance of our collaboration between nursing and psychology.

Objective: To evaluate the available evidence in regarding the efficacy of psychodrama in patients with acute and posttraumatic stress disorder and psychological trauma- Methods: Systematic review. Terms: (1)Psychodrama, (2)Role-playing, (3)Stress disorders, Acute, posttraumatic, and (4)Psychological trauma (Mesh), were searched in Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Scopus, Lillacs and OVID, until April 2019. Systematic reviews of the literature, meta-analysis, randomized clinical trials, quasi-randomized and observational studies in English and Spanish were selected. The works should have described interventions with psychodrama techniques. Results: 14 papers met the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: There is no evidence of the psychodrama response to the symptoms after traumatic stress. Research should be carried out with a more rigorous methodological design., Objetivo: Evaluar la evidencia disponible de  la eficacia del psicodrama como terapia para el manejo del trauma psicológico, trastorno por estrés agudo y postraumático. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura en MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Scopus, LILACS y Ovid hasta abril de 2019. Se incluyeron los términos: (1)Psychodrama, (2)Role-playing, (3)Stress disorders, Acute, posttraumatic, y (4)Psychological trauma (MeSH). Se seleccionaron revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura, metaanálisis, ensayos clínicos aleatorios, cuasi aleatorios y estudios observacionales en inglés y español. Se seleccionaron los trabajos que incluyeran una  descripción de las   intervenciones con técnicas del psicodrama. Resultados:  14 trabajos cumplieron criterios de inclusión. Conclusión: No se encontró una asociación fuerte de la eficacia del psicodrama ante los síntomas de estrés postraumático. Se requieren más investigaciones con diseño metodológico ajustado para este tipo de intervenciones.

Objective This randomised controlled trial (RCT) aimed to investigate the effects of a simple cognitive task intervention on intrusive memories ("flashbacks") and associated symptoms following a traumatic event. Patients presenting to a Swedish emergency department (ED) soon after a traumatic event were randomly allocated (1:1) to the simple cognitive task intervention (memory cue + mental rotation instructions + computer game "Tetris" for at least 20 min) or control (podcast, similar time). We planned follow-ups at one-week, 1-month, and where possible, 3- and 6-months post-trauma. Anticipated enrolment was N = 148. Results The RCT was terminated prematurely after recruiting N = 16 participants. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented recruitment/testing in the ED because: (i) the study required face-to-face contact between participants, psychology researchers, ED staff, and patients, incurring risk of virus transmission; (ii) the host ED site received COVID-19 patients; and (iii) reduced flow of patients otherwise presenting to the ED in non-pandemic conditions (e.g. after trauma). We report on delivery of study procedures, recruitment, treatment adherence, outcome completion (primary outcome: number of intrusive memories during week 5), attrition, and limitations. The information presented and limitations may enable our group and others to learn from this terminated study., Marie Kanstrup and Laura Singh co-shared first authorship

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the worldwide need for simple remotely delivered (digital) scalable interventions that can also be used preventatively to protect the mental health of health care staff exposed to psychologically traumatic events during their COVID-19-related work. We have developed a brief behavioral intervention that aims to reduce the number of intrusive memories of traumatic events but has only been delivered face-to-face so far. After digitalizing the intervention materials, the intervention was delivered digitally to target users (health care staff) for the first time. The adaption for staff's working context in a hospital setting used a co-design approach. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this mixed method exploratory pilot study with health care staff who experienced working in the pandemic were to pilot the intervention that we have digitalized (for remote delivery and with remote support) and adapted for this target population (health care staff working clinically during a pandemic) to explore its ability to reduce the number of intrusive memories of traumatic events and improve related symptoms (eg, posttraumatic stress) and participant's perception of their functioning, and to explore the feasibility and acceptability of both the digitalized intervention and digitalized data collection. METHODS: We worked closely with target users with lived experience of working clinically during the COVID-19 pandemic in a hospital context (registered nurses who experienced intrusive memories from traumatic events at work; N=3). We used a mixed method design and exploratory quantitative and qualitative analysis. RESULTS: After completing the digitalized intervention once with remote researcher support (approximately 25 minutes) and a brief follow-up check-in, participants learned to use the intervention independently. All 3 participants reported zero intrusive memories during week 5 (primary outcome: 100% digital data capture). Prior to study incl

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has escalated the global need for remotely delivered and scalable interventions after psychological trauma. A brief intervention involving a computer game as an imagery-competing task has shown promising results for reducing the number of intrusive memories of trauma—one of the core clinical symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. To date, the intervention has only been delivered face-to-face. To be tested and implemented on a wider scale, digital adaptation for remote delivery is crucial. An important first step is to develop digitalized intervention materials in a systematic way based on feedback from clinicians, researchers, and students in preparation for pilot testing with target users. Objective: The first aim of this study is to obtain and analyze qualitative feedback on digital intervention materials, namely two animated videos and two quizzes that explain the target clinical symptoms and provide intervention instructions. The second aim is to refine the digitalized materials based on this feedback. Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with 12 participants who had delivered or had knowledge of the intervention when delivered face-to-face. We obtained in-depth feedback on the perceived feasibility of using the digitalized materials and suggestions for improvements. Interviews were assessed using qualitative content analysis, and suggested improvements were evaluated for implementation using a systematic method of prioritization. Results: A total of three overarching themes were identified from the data. First, participants were highly positive about the potential benefits of using these digital materials for remote delivery, reporting that the videos effectively conveyed key concepts of the symptom and its treatment. Second, some modifications to the materials were suggested for improving clarity. On the basis of this feedback, we made nine specific changes. Finally, participants raised some key challenges for r, De två första författarna delar förstaförfattarskapet

Childhood adversity (CA) and adulthood traumatic experiences (ATEs) are common and unequally distributed in the general population. Early stressors may beget later stressors and alter life-course trajectories of stressor exposure. Gender differences exist regarding the risk of specific stressors. However, few studies have examined the associations between specific types of CA and ATEs. Using a large-scale sample of older adults, we aimed to (a) determine if specific or cumulative CA increased the risk for specific or cumulative ATEs and (b) examine whether these associations were moderated by gender. In a sample from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (N = 15,717; Mage = 67.57 years, SD = 10.54), cross-sectional Poisson and logistic regression models were fitted to assess the specific and cumulative associations between CA and ATEs. Overall, cumulative CA was associated with a larger risk ratio of ATEs, adjusted for covariates: aRRRs = 1.28, 1.63, and 1.97 for 1, 2, and 3-4 adverse events in childhood, respectively. Cumulative CA was particularly strongly associated with adulthood physical attacks, aOR = 5.66, and having a substance-abusing spouse or child, aOR = 4.00. Childhood physical abuse was the strongest independent risk factor for cumulative ATEs, aRRR = 1.49, and most strongly associated with adulthood physical attacks, aOR = 3.41. Gender moderated the association between cumulative CA and cumulative ATEs, with slightly stronger associations between cumulative CA and ATEs for women than men. Given that CA and ATEs perpetuate health disparities worldwide, reducing their incidence and effects should be major priorities for public health.

The loss of a loved one by suicide can be one of life’s most stressful events. The risk and protective factors associated with each case may make it easier or harder to process the loss. Here we present a case of persistent complex grief disorder in which the Mindfuness Protocol for Acceptance of Grief, Emotions, and Bereavement is applied. The patient improves after the intervention, being observed that she no longer scores in persistent complex grief disorder, nor anxious symptoms in a significant way, her negative affect has decreased, and her grief, positive affect and psychological well-being have increased. We conclude that a comprehensive evaluation from the health system is necessary in order to attend patients with persistent complex mourning disorder in a multidisciplinary way. Psychological intervention can reduce economic, health and personal costs. MÉD.UIS.2021;34(3): 85-92., La pérdida de un ser querido por suicidio puede ser uno de los eventos más estresantes de la vida. Los factores de riesgo y protección asociados a cada caso pueden favorecer o dificultar el procesamiento de la pérdida. Se presenta un caso de trastorno de duelo complejo persistente en el que se aplica el Protocolo Mindfulness para la Aceptación del Dolor, las Emociones y el Duelo. La paciente mejora tras la intervención, observándose que ya no puntúa en trastorno de duelo complejo persistente, ni sintomatología ansiosa de forma significativa, ha disminuido su afecto negativo y aumentado su autocompasión, afecto positivo y bienestar psicológico. Concluimos que se hace necesaria una evaluación integral desde el sistema sanitario para poder atender a los pacientes que presenten trastorno de duelo complejo persistente de manera multidisciplinar. La intervención psicológica puede disminuir los costes económicos, sanitarios y personales. MÉD.UIS.2021;34(3): 85-92.

Chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently co-occur, and research suggests that these 2 conditions exacerbate one another producing greater impact on normal functioning in combination than separately. The influence of traumatic experiences on both pain and PTSD has been shown, but the nature of this interplay remains unclear. Although Criterion A trauma is required for the diagnosis of PTSD, whether the association between PTSD and chronic pain is dependent on Criterion A is underexplored. In this observational cohort study, we examined the association between pain and PTSD-like symptoms in the context of Criterion A trauma in 5,791 men from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry. Correlations and mixed-effects regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version symptoms and multiple indicators of pain from the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire across trauma history and chronic pain conditions. 53.21% of the participants experienced trauma consistent with DSM-IV Criterion A for PTSD. The associations between pain indicators and PTSD-like symptoms was stronger for individuals with a history of trauma but remained robust for individuals without trauma history. Small but significant interactions between past trauma and pain indicators and PTSD-like symptoms were observed. Findings were similar in a subsample of participants with history of chronic pain conditions. The relationship between PTSD-like symptoms and indicators of pain were largely independent of trauma consistent with Criterion A, highlighting the need to better understand and address stressful life events in chronic pain patients and pain concerns in individuals reporting trauma. PERSPECTIVE: This article demonstrates that the relationship between PTSD-like symptoms and indicators of pain is largely independent of trauma consistent with Criterion A. This finding highlights the need to better understand and address stressful life events in chroni

Linguistic racism explores the varied ideologies that may generate and endorse monolingual, native, and normative language practices, while reinforcing the discrimination and injustice directed towards language users whose language and communicative repertoires are not necessarily perceived as standard and normal. This article, thus, investigates linguistic racism, as a form of existing, but newly defined, racism against unconventional ethnic language practices experienced by Eastern-European immigrant women in the Australian workplace. Our ethnographic study shows that, once these women directly or subtly exhibit their non-nativism, through a limited encounter with local expressions, non-native language skills, and ethnic accents, they become victims of covert and overt linguistic racism in the form of social exclusion, mockery, mimicking, and malicious sarcasm in the hierarchical power environment of the workplace. As a result, these migrants can suffer from long-lasting psychological trauma and distress, emotional hurdles, loss of credibility, and language-based inferiority complexes. We, as researchers, need to highlight the importance of combatting workplace linguistic racism and revealing language realities of underprivileged communities. In that way, we can assist them in adapting to host societies and help them regain some degree of power equality in their institutional environments.

The experience of trauma (e.g., interpersonal violence, sexual assault) is associated with a range of adverse outcomes, including an increased risk for misusing substances (Ullman et al., 2013), often in an attempt to cope (Asberg & Renk, 2012; Hogarth et al., 2019). However, the association between trauma symptoms and substance use consequences might be explained by other processes that could be targeted for intervention. For example, paying attention to inner body sensations (interoceptive body awareness; IBA) predicts lower Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms (Reinhardt et al., 2020), but IBA has not been examined in relation to adverse substance use consequences. Thus, the present study examined associations among trauma symptoms, IBA, and substance use consequences. Specifically, we hypothesized that higher levels of trauma symptoms would correspond with less IBA and, in turn, more frequent adverse consequences of substance use. Moreover, we examined the assertion that interoceptive body awareness would mediate the association between trauma symptoms and problematic substance use. Participants (N = 271) age 18-years or older were recruited from various online sources (Reddit, Facebook) and a university research participant pool (SONA). Results suggest that trauma symptom severity was associated with less interoception and more substance use consequences, while interoceptive awareness was inversely associated with substance use consequences. However, interoceptive awareness was not a significant mediator for this relationship once the effect of trauma symptoms was accounted for. This is the first study to examine IBA as a correlate of substance use consequences to the best of our knowledge. Although IBA failed to mediate the effects of trauma symptoms on substance use outcomes in this convenience sample, future studies may examine the role of body awareness on substance among survivors of interpersonal violence, specifically. Findings highlight th

While many individuals have experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime, reactions to trauma can vary greatly (Schuettler & Boals, 2011). While some are minimally affected by the traumatic event, others experience a myriad of negative outcomes, such as PTSD and difficulties trusting others (Schuettler & Boals, 2011). Nevertheless, some individuals who experienced trauma report positive changes in their lives following the event, such as improved sense of self and enhanced relationships (Linley & Joseph, 2004). The present study tested the prediction that cognitive processes such as event centrality, trauma symptoms, or positive perspectives on trauma would play a role in growth after an interpersonal trauma. Specifically, it was predicted that event centrality (moderated by trauma symptoms and positive perspectives about trauma) would mediate the relationship between betrayal trauma and posttraumatic growth. Participants (N = 349) completed measures of betrayal trauma, posttraumatic growth, event centrality, trauma symptoms, and positive perspectives on addressing trauma. The hypothesized causal relationship between betrayal trauma and posttraumatic growth was not supported. However, analyses revealed significant lower order relationships among study variables. Recommendations for future research and clinical implications are discussed.

Substance use has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadly combination of a national epidemic and a global pandemic has led to widening health disparities, increased psychological trauma, physical trauma, and grief that will likely persist over the next decade or more. This literature synthesis addresses key findings regarding the prevention, assessment, and treatment of substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic, negative sequelae associated with public health recommendations during the pandemic and a forecast for the future. An example of how grassroots community organizations can rapidly pivot to ensure clients’ needs are being met is also provided. Policy implications of current and predicted challenges are also discussed to provide context for further research.

In the last 25 years of the 20th century, psychopathology coded a diverse range of social phenomena under the heading of trauma, featuring the study of psychological trauma as an autonomous area progressively informed by cultural and neurobiological research. In this scenario, we witnessed the emergence of the biocultural paradigm, an epistemological perspective that seeks to elucidate the interactive trajectories by which culture and biology consolidate each other ' s effects. This article will address the intersections between the field of psychological trauma and neurosciences, based on the analytical dimensions of expansion of the category of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the epistemological premises of neurobehavioral studies of stress and fear, and the limitations of the bidirectionality hypothesis advanced by contemporary cultural neurosciences. The elaboration of definitively integrative approaches can assist the development of comprehensive models capable of conceiving knowledges and practices at the level of human experience, avoiding reductionist interpretations that submit complex cultural and subjective experiences alternatingly to the imperatives of the brain and to semiologic codes of pathogenic reasoning.

Nearly 5.6 million Syrian refugees were displaced by the country’s civil war, of which 50% percent are children. Given the heightened risks of psychological distress for this population it is critical to efficiently and accurately assess well-being for this population for intervention. A digital analysis of features in children’s drawings potentially represents a rapid, cost-effective, and non-invasive method for collecting individual and aggregate data on children’s mental health. Using data collected from free drawings and self-portraits from over 2,500 Syrian refugee children in Jordan across two distinct datasets, we use regression and Lasso machine-learning techniques to understand the relationship between exposure to violence and different measures of psychological trauma. Our results suggest that individual drawing characteristics are strongly correlated with validated measures of psychological trauma and past exposure to violence, with child mental health declining with increased exposure to violence and improving with resettlement in host communities. These results serve as a proof-of-concept for the potential use of children’s drawings as a diagnostic tool in human crisis settings.

Collective trauma, like the COVID-19 pandemic, can dramatically alter how we perceive time and view our futures. Indeed, the pandemic has challenged us to cope with an ambiguous, invisible threat that has changed our way of life and made our futures, both near and far, less certain. In this commentary, we review existing literature on time perception in the context of stress and trauma and discuss its implications for mental health and well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

It is becoming clear that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not simply a psychiatric disorder, but one that involves pervasive physiological impairments as well. These physiological disturbances deserve attention in any attempt at integrative treatment of PTSD that requires a focus beyond the PTSD symptoms themselves. The physiological disturbances in PTSD range over many systems, but a common thread thought to underlie them is that the chronic effects of PTSD involve problems with allostatic control mechanisms that result in an excess in what has been termed "allostatic load" (AL). A pharmacological approach to reducing AL would be valuable, but, because of the large range of physiological issues involved - including metabolic, inflammatory, and cardiovascular systems - it is unclear whether there exists a simple comprehensive way to address the AL landscape. In this paper, we propose that the cannabinoid system may offer just such an approach, and we outline evidence for the potential utility of cannabinoids in reducing many of the chronic physiological abnormalities seen in PTSD which are thought to be related to excess AL.

Background: Paediatric illness, injury and medical procedures are potentially traumatic experiences with a range of possible negative psychosocial consequences. To prevent psychosocial impairment and improve medical adherence, evidence-based psychotherapy should be offered if indicated. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has been found to reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. The evidence for the use with children is promising. Furthermore, recent studies indicate its effectiveness for the treatment of other psychological symptomatology. However, the effectiveness of EMDR in children with subthreshold PTSD after medically related trauma has not yet been investigated. Objective: Investigating the short-term effectiveness of EMDR on posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression and sleep problems in children with subthreshold PTSD after hospitalization through a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Method: Following baseline screening of 420 children from various Dutch hospitals, 74 children (4–15 years old) with medically related subthreshold PTSD were randomized to EMDR (n = 37) or care-as-usual (CAU; n = 37). Follow-up assessment took place after M = 9.7 weeks. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) analyses were performed to examine the effectiveness of EMDR compared to CAU. Results: Children in both groups improved significantly over time on all outcomes. However, the EMDR group improved significantly more as to child-reported symptoms of blood-injection-injury (BII) phobia and depression, and child-, and parent-reported sleep problems of the child. There was no superior effect of EMDR compared to CAU on subthreshold PTSD symptom reduction. Conclusions: EMDR did not perform better than CAU in reducing PTSD symptoms in a paediatric sample of children with subthreshold PTSD after hospitalization. However, the study results indicate that EMDR might be superior in reducing symptoms of blood-injection-injury phobia, depression a

Bakgrund: Bäckenbottenskador är vanligt förekommande vid vaginala förlossningar och kan orsaka många besvärande symtom. Den fysiska påfrestningen påverkar även kvinnors välmående och kan leda till psykisk ohälsa. Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva psykologiska konsekvenser av bäckenbottenskador i samband med förlossning för kvinnor. Metod: Syftet besvarades genom att göra en allmän litteraturstudie baserad på nio kvalitativa artiklar. Artiklarna kvalitetsgranskades och analyserades, därefter skapades en övergripande huvudkategori och tre underkategorier. Resultat: Huvudkategorin var Förlossningsskador medför psykiskt lidande, och dess underkategorier Känsla av skuld och skam, Förlust av kvinnlighet och sexualitet och Besvikelse över vårdens bristande information och stöd. I resultatet framkom att psykologiska konsekvenser såsom oro, skam, ångest, hopplöshet, depression och posttraumatiskt stressyndrom, är en följd av bäckenbottenskador och dess somatiska besvär. Vidare framkom att kvinnor inte fick den vård de var i behov av och upplevde att vården försummade dem och orsakade ytterligare psykisk påfrestning. Konklusion: Litteraturstudien bidrar till en ökad förståelse om hur bäckenbottenskador påverkar kvinnors psykiska välmående. Det behövs utveckling av riktlinjer vad gäller uppföljning och behandling av förlossningsskador. Vidare forskning krävs om hur bäckenbottenskador och sekundärt psykiskt trauma kan förebyggas, repareras, behandlas och rehabiliteras., Background: Pelvic floor injuries are common due to vaginal delivery and can cause many troublesome symptoms. The physical symptoms affect women’s well-being and can lead to psychological morbidity. Aim: The aim was to describe the psychological consequences of pelvic floor injuries in relation to childbirth for women. Method: The aim was answered by conducting a general literature study based on nine qualitative articles. The articles were quality-tested and analysed, then one overreaching head category were created and three under categories. Results: The head category was Birth injuries causes psychological suffering, and it’s under categories Feeling guilt and shame, Loss of femininity and sexuality and Disappointment with the lack of information and support in healthcare. Women experienced psychological consequences such as shame, anxiety, hopelessness, depression and post-traumatic stress syndrome, secondary to pelvic floor injuries. It was also found that women didn’t receive the care they needed and felt that healthcare professionals neglected them and caused further psychological distress. Conclusion: The general literature study contributes to an increased understanding of how pelvic floor injuries affect women’s mental well-being. There is a need for development of guidelines as to monitoring and treatment of birth injuries. Further research is needed on how pelvic floor injuries and secondary to it psychological trauma can be prevented, repaired, treated and rehabilitated.

As the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, its psychological, emotional, and existential toll continues to grow and indeed may now rival the physical suffering caused by the illness. Patients, caregivers, and health-care workers are particularly at risk for trauma responses and would be well served by trauma-informed care practices to minimize both immediate and long-term psychological distress. Given the significant overlap between the core tenets of trauma-informed care and accepted guidelines for the provision of quality palliative care (PC), PC teams are particularly well poised to both incorporate such practices into routine care and to argue for their integration across health systems. We outline this intersection to highlight the uniquely powerful role PC teams can play to reduce the long-term psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.