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Objective: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has long been recognized as a debilitating psychiatric disorder. The definition of Criterion A has been a topic of controversy, and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and International Classification of Diseases, 11th version have opted for a narrow and a broad approach to the gatekeeper criterion, respectively. The aim of this study was to test the implications of a narrow ( DSM-5 ) versus broad (including psychologically threatening events) Criterion A for endorsement of a probable PTSD diagnosis and symptom severity., Method: The study was based on a cross-sectional survey conducted in March 2021 among the general population of adult Danish residents in Denmark, ranging in age between 18 and 79 years ( n = 1,033)., Results: Psychologically threatening events did not lead to a statistically significant increase in probable PTSD diagnoses, but psychologically threatening events were independently related to probable PTSD risk and severity. Controlling for other potentially traumatizing events and demographic factors, psychologically threatening events were the strongest risk factor for higher symptom severity. We found probable PTSD rates higher but comparable to other Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Sweden., Conclusion: Exposure to psychologically threatening events is an important factor in explaining probable PTSD risk and severity although not independently leading to a significant increase in probable PTSD rates. Probable rates of DSM-5 PTSD are higher than Danish official estimates in a random sample of the Danish adult population (6.8%-6.9% compared to 1%). The generalizability of study findings is limited by nonrepresentativity, the use of self-report measures, and assessment during the COVID-19 lockdown. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Background: Trauma plays an important role in the development and maintenance of psychosis. However, it is still under-examined in daily clinical practice. The current study investigated the rates of recording of trauma-exposure in the clinical histories of a first-episode psychosis (FEP) cohort attending an early intervention psychosis service., Methods: This study used a retrospective chart review methodology in a 6-year epidemiologically complete FEP cohort attending an early intervention psychosis service. The Trauma and Life Events Checklist was used to define the rate and types of trauma-exposure reported in clinical histories. The relationships were examined between recorded trauma-exposure and positive and negative symptoms, depression and duration of untreated psychosis at first assessment., Results: Trauma-exposure was frequently recorded within clinical histories. Childhood trauma-exposure was recorded in 47.4% of the sample, which is lower than may be expected. No significant relationships between the recorded trauma-exposure and symptom measures were found. A significant relationship was found between interpersonal stressors and positive symptoms, and work-related stress and negative symptoms, highlighting the importance of proximal stressful life events., Discussion: This study found that clinicians were frequently recording trauma-exposure in daily practice. However, it was unclear whether the recording of trauma-exposure highlighted led to systematic diagnosis, assessment or treatment of trauma for people with psychosis. The importance of treatment and service planning to include information about trauma-exposure is discussed., (© 2024 The Author(s). Early Intervention in Psychiatry published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Introduction: Trauma exposure is often assessed using checklists such as the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5; Weathers et al., 2013b). When participants endorse multiple events, respondents are asked to identify a single, worst event (i.e., index event). Recent work indicates that the "worst event" method leads to a concerning number of false negatives. The purpose of the current study was to replicate previous findings of false negatives and extend them by examining characteristics associated with false negatives, such as trauma type, means of exposure, recency of trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity., Method: Adults ( n = 476) provided data on trauma history assessed using a revised version of the LEC-5 that asked participants to provide follow-up information for each traumatic event endorsed. Participants also provided demographic data and completed the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. Results: Two hundred thirty-four participants (49.16%) reported a worst event that met the DSM-5 definition of Criterion A trauma ("primary Criterion A" group). However, of the 242 participants who did not, 138 participants (57.02%, or 28.99% of the total sample) reported a secondary event that did meet Criterion A ("secondary Criterion A" group). The secondary Criterion A group most commonly reported serious life-threatening illnesses/injuries and "other" stressful life experiences as their index trauma that did not fulfill Criterion A. Participants in the primary and secondary Criterion A groups reported similar levels of PTSD symptoms. No differences were observed in means of exposure and recency of index trauma between the Criterion A groups., Discussion: Findings raise questions regarding the efficiency and accuracy of the worst event method to determine trauma exposure status via self-report. Researchers should consider alternative methods for assessing trauma exposure rather than relying on the worst event scoring method. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Trauma Symptom Inventory-Second Edition (TSI-2) is garnering research interest as a symptom validity test in the evaluation of trauma-related disorders. However, there has been limited empirical validation of its validity scales in clinical and forensic real-world settings. This study evaluated the ability of the TSI-2 Atypical Response (ATR) scale to discriminate response bias in cognitive performance and symptom reporting in a large sample of disability and compensation-seeking claimants. This retrospective chart review included 296 adults with a known history of trauma exposure or claimed trauma-related psychological injury who underwent neuropsychological and/or comprehensive psychological assessment in a private neuropsychology clinic. The discriminability of the ATR scale to classify credible versus non-credible cognitive profiles and symptom reporting were analyzed by AUC-ROCs. Overall, the ATR scale demonstrated poor discriminability of assessment validity based on the Word Memory Test, Victoria Symptom Validity Test, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form. The ATR scale had fair discriminatory ability of only one of the over-reporting scales (F-r), with an ROC area of .73, p  = .001. However, the test publisher's proposed ATR cut-offs of ≥8 for screening, research, and normal groups, and ≥15 in forensic and clinical settings revealed significant issues with sensitivity and specificity. These results suggest that the TSI-2 should be paired with other established performance validity and symptom validity tests in clinical assessments and not be used as the primary or sole indicator of assessment validity.

Objective: Previous research with youth has shown that clinicians tend to diagnose and treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in trauma-exposed clients, even when clinical presentations indicate that PTSD is not the primary diagnosis. The current study sought to examine this trauma-related diagnostic overshadowing bias in adult cases across different types of trauma exposure., Method: Mental health professionals ( N = 232) reviewed two vignettes describing an adult seeking treatment for either obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms or substance use disorder (SUD) symptoms (target disorders). Each participant was randomly assigned to one vignette in which one client endorsed exposure to trauma (i.e., sexual trauma or physical trauma) and one vignette in which the client reported no trauma exposure. Following each vignette, participants responded to questions related to the diagnosis and treatment of the client., Results: In both cases, participants were significantly less likely to choose the target diagnosis and treatment and more likely to choose a PTSD diagnosis and trauma treatment when trauma exposure was present in the vignettes. Evidence for the bias was strongest for vignettes that contained sexual trauma compared to vignettes that contained physical trauma. Evidence for the bias was also more consistent in the OCD case compared to the SUD case., Conclusions: Results indicate evidence for the existence of trauma-related diagnostic overshadowing in adult populations, though the strength of this bias may be dependent on aspects of the trauma and overall clinical presentation. More work is needed to understand factors that may impact the presence of this bias. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

There is an acute need for solutions to treat stress and trauma-related sequelae, and there are well-documented shortages of qualified human professionals. Artificial intelligence (AI) presents an opportunity to create advanced screening, diagnosis, and treatment solutions that relieve the burden on people and can provide just-in-time interventions. Large language models (LLMs), in particular, are promising given the role language plays in understanding and treating traumatic stress and other mental health conditions. In this article, we provide an overview of the state-of-the-art LLMs applications in diagnostic assessments, clinical note generation, and therapeutic support. We discuss the open research direction and challenges that need to be overcome to realize the full potential of deploying language models for use in clinical contexts. We highlight the need for increased representation in AI systems to ensure there are no disparities in access. Public datasets and models will help lead progress toward better models; however, privacy-preserving model training will be necessary for protecting patient data., (© 2024 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.)

Despite the available evidence identifying the high prevalence rates of potentially traumatic experiences in forensic populations, there is still a lack of evidence supporting the use of suitable assessment tools, especially for young males in custody. For services to identify, support, and offer trauma interventions to this cohort, practitioners require reliable and valid assessment tools. This systematic review (Open Science Framework registration: https://osf.io/r6hbk) identifies those tools able to provide valid, reliable, and comparable data for this cohort. Five electronic databases and gray literature were searched to identify relevant measures. Inclusion criteria: studies of tools to assess for trauma with males aged between 12 and 25 years-old in a custodial setting, any year of publication, and available in English. Exclusion criteria: studies that did not measure psychological trauma or include a standalone trauma scale, or report primary data. A three-step quality assessment method was used to evaluate the methodological quality and psychometric properties of the measures. Fourteen studies were selected for review (which included 12 measures). The studies sampled a total of approximately 1,768 male participants and an age range of 12 to 25 years. The studies reported on various types of psychometric evidence and due to the lack of homogeneity, a narrative synthesis was used to discuss, interpret, and evaluate each measure. The overall quality of the psychometric properties of the measures in this review showed that the currently available instruments for the assessment of trauma with young males in custody is limited but promising., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Exposure to prolonged and/or multiple types of psychological trauma and stressors has been shown to be more strongly associated with ICD-11 complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) than posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans- and queer adults (LGBTQ+) are at a heightened risk of exposure to traumatic events, and minority stressors including harassment, discrimination, rejection by family, and isolation., Objective: To examine the factor structure of the international trauma questionnaire (ITQ), a self-report measure of PTSD and CPTSD, and the associations of cumulative lifetime trauma exposure assessed via the life events checklist and minority stress assessed via the daily heterosexist experiences scale, with CPTSD (three PTSD symptom clusters, three clusters reflecting disturbances in self-organization [DSO]) among LGBTQ + adults., Method: Participants comprised 225 LGBTQ + adults (including 74 transgender and gender diverse individuals; age range: 18-60 years; M/SD = 31.35/9.48) residing in Spain., Results: Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that both a first-order six-factor model and a hierarchical two-factor model, comprising PTSD and DSO as second-order factors, fit the data best. Cumulative traumatic events score was associated with PTSD, and cumulative minority stress was associated with PTSD and DSO. Among the minority stress subscales, harassment based on gender expression was positively associated with all symptom clusters of PTSD and DSO., Conclusion: This is the first study to examine the role of minority stressors alongside exposure to psychological traumas in ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD and emphasizes the inclusion of minority stressors in trauma-related assessments. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Objective: The current study aimed to improve the content validity of the Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences Survey (TRACES) and the Child and Adolescent PTSD Checklist for the DSM-5 (CAPC-5)., Method: Two community-based collaborative research methods were used-cognitive interviewing and focus groups. Three rounds of cognitive interviews included a racially and economically diverse sample of 12 trauma-exposed youth and 12 caregivers. Three focus groups involved 19 clinicians with diverse disciplines and years of practice. Modifications to the measures were made after each round of interviews and after completion of all focus groups., Results: Both methods provided beneficial information about issues with the measures. Feedback from youth, caregivers, and clinicians was distinct, though data across groups generally converged. Improvements were made to the measures in multiple areas, such as instructions and clarity., Conclusions: Incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders increased the content validity of the TRACES and CAPC-5. Collaborative research methods provide a trauma-informed initial step in the development of assessment measures. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Reports an error in "Can subjective perceptions of trauma differentiate between ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD? A cross-cultural comparison of three African countries" by Yuval Palgi, Thanos Karatzias, Philip Hyland, Mark Shevlin and Menachem Ben-Ezra ( Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy , 2021[Feb], Vol 13[2], 142-148). In the article, the number of participants listed in the abstract was incorrectly reported as "2,554." The correct number is "2,524." The online version of this article has been corrected. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2020-69781-001.) Background: The primary aim of the current study was to establish the cutoffs scores for the Subjective Traumatic Outlook (STO), a relatively new tool that examines the introspective worldview of those exposed to traumatic events. This tool was developed as a complementary scale to be used in conjunction with the observed-phenomenological measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) complex PTSD (CPTSD). The present study examines the predictive power of STO for distinguishing between PTSD and CPTSD in African countries. Method: A national representative (based on age and gender) sample of 2,524 participants was drawn from 3 African countries (Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana) who completed the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) and the STO. We conducted a set of analyses examining that alignment of ITQ probable PTSD and CPTSD and different STO cutoff scores. Results: Results suggest that the STO single-factor structure was stable across countries, had a strong association with PTSD and CPTSD levels, and had predictive utility in differentiating between PTSD and CPTSD. Moreover, we found that there are different cutoffs for the STO in the different countries. Conclusion: There is a strong but distinctive association between the introspective and the observed-phenomenological approaches of PTSD and CPTSD. Our findings call for more integrative approaches for the assessment of PTSD and CPTSD and suggest that there are cultural differences in STO. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Background: Endometrial tissue plays an important role in the regulation of female fertility and there is evidence that endometrial pathology (including endometriosis) is closely related to endocrine disorders. On the other hand, various neuroendocrine changes can be significantly affected by psychosocial stress. In connection with these findings, we tested the relationship between neuroendocrine changes, sexual dysfunction, psychosocial/traumatic stress, and dissociative symptoms in women with endometriosis., Methods: A total of 65 patients with endometriosis were included in the study. Clinical examinations were focused on the biochemical analysis of neuroendocrine markers of endometriosis (cancer antigen 125 [CA 125] and cancer antigen 19-9 [CA 19-9]), estradiol, psychometric evaluation of sexual dysfunction, psychosocial/traumatic stress, and dissociative symptoms., Results: The results showed significant Spearman correlations between the values of the revised range of sexual difficulties for sexual dysfunction (Revised Female Sexual Distress Scale), psychosocial/traumatic stress (Trauma Symptoms Checklist) (R = 0.31), and dissociative symptoms (Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire) (R = 0.33). Positive correlations were also found between CA 125 and CA 19-9 (R = 0.63), and between CA 125 and the results of the values of the revised scale of sexual difficulties for sexual dysfunction (Revised Female Sexual Distress Scale) (R = 0.29). Also psychosocial/traumatic stress (Trauma Symptoms Checklist) significantly correlated with CA 125 (R = 0.38) and with CA 19-9 (R = 0.33)., Conclusion: These results represent the first findings regarding the relationship of the neuroendocrine markers CA 125 and CA 19-9 and sexual dysfunction with trauma/stress-related symptoms and dissociative symptoms in women with endometriosis., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Introduction: Accumulating evidence shows that those having experienced psychological trauma have increased risk of complex health problems. In primary health care health-promoting services are offered to individuals with complex health problems, based on an individualized approach. Trauma focused approach in healthcare help individuals increase quality of life after psychological trauma. Trauma focused services are important to help improve quality of life after psychological trauma. To examine the experience of psychological trauma and health-related problems in individuals receiving health-promoting services., Method: Qualitative research based on the Vancouver School of phenomenology. Participants were ten, five male and five female, selected through health-promoting services. Two interviews were taken with each participant. The ACE questionnaire was used, as a screening tool for childhood psychological trauma, combined with interview-frame with open questions., Results: The results were divided into six main themes: Experience of trauma; Repeated trauma; Childhood neglect; Health-related problems in child- and adulthood; Psychiatric problems in child- and adulthood; Processing and trauma-focused approach. Participants had experienced conciderable trauma as well as complex health problems in child- and adulthood., Conclusions: It is of importance that healthcare professionals pay attention to psychological traumas in relation to complex health problems to provide support for recovery. Primary health care is the first place of contact within the health care system and therefore it is important that patients' experience of trauma is taken into account. It is key to identify the signs of lifetime trauma in relation to health problems and focus the care according to the individual needs of the patient.

Background : Potentially traumatic stressors can lead to various transdiagnostic outcomes beyond PTSD alone but no brief screening tools exist for measuring posttraumatic responses in a transdiagnostic manner. Objective : Assess the psychometric characteristics of a new 22-item transdiagnostic screening measure, the Global Psychotrauma Screen (GPS). Method : An internet survey was administered with English speaking participants recruited passively via the website of the Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress (GC-TS) ( n GC-TS  = 1,268) and actively via Amazon's MTurk ( n MTurk  = 1,378). Exploratory factor analysis, correlational analysis, sensitivity and specificity analysis, and comparisons in response between the two samples and between male and female respondents were conducted. Results : Exploratory factor analysis revealed a single factor underlying symptom endorsements in both samples, suggesting that such problems may form a unitary transdiagnostic, posttraumatic outcome. Convergent validity of the GPS symptom and risk factors was established with measures of PTSD and dissociative symptoms in the MTurk sample. Gender differences were seen primarily at the item level with women more often endorsing several symptoms and specific risk factors in the MTurk sample, and the GC-TS recruited sample endorsed more symptoms and risk factors than the MTurk sample, suggesting that the GPS may be sensitive to group differences. A GPS symptom cut-off score of 8 identified optimized sensitivity and specificity relative to probable PTSD based on PCL-5 scores. Conclusions : The current results provide preliminary support for the validity of the GPS as a screener for the concurrent measurement of several transdiagnostic outcomes of potentially traumatic stressors and the apparent unifactorial structure of such symptoms is suggestive of a single or unitary posttraumatic outcome. Future research is needed to evaluate whether similarly strong psychometric properties can be yielded in response to completion of the GPS in other languages., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest relating to this research., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Background : Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) was recently included in the revised International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2018). C-PTSD is a new trauma related disorder which may develop after prolonged and multiple exposures to trauma. It is a sister disorder of PTSD and is further characterized by symptomatology of disorganized self-organization (DSO). To qualify for the diagnosis, individuals must first meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, then report DSO symptoms and functional impairment. A body of work is emerging which has focused on the underlying dimensionality of C-PTSD across both adult and more recently adolescent populations from differing index trauma groups and from across several nations and cultures. However, few studies have been conducted in populations exposed to combat trauma despite the obvious prolonged and multiple nature of their trauma histories. Objective : To contribute to emerging evidence of the factor structure of ICD-11 C-PTSD in a novel population. Methods : This is the first factor analytic study to explore C-PTSD in a sample of UK Armed Forces veterans residing in Northern Ireland ( N  = 732). C-PTSD was measured via the ITQ and we utilized CFA to assess the fit of 7 competing models. Results : Based on established CFA fit indices, a correlated, first order, 6-factor model of C-PTSD, representing 3 PTSD and 3 DSO symptom groupings, was deemed to provide superior fit to the data compared to 6 alternative C-PTSD models. The superiority of the model was further supported by statistical comparisons of competing C-PTSD models. All factor loadings (0.866-0.998) and inter-factor correlations (.746-.975) of the optimally fitting model were statistically significant and high. Conclusion : These results provide support for the construct validity of ICD-11 C-PTSD in a unique sample of Armed Forces veterans residing in Northern Ireland., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

Background: The primary aim of the current study was to establish the cutoffs scores for the Subjective Traumatic Outlook (STO), a relatively new tool that examines the introspective worldview of those exposed to traumatic events. This tool was developed as a complementary scale to be used in conjunction with the observed-phenomenological measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) complex PTSD (CPTSD). The present study examines the predictive power of STO for distinguishing between PTSD and CPTSD in African countries. Method: A national representative (based on age and gender) sample of 2,554 participants was drawn from 3 African countries (Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana) who completed the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) and the STO. We conducted a set of analyses examining that alignment of ITQ probable PTSD and CPTSD and different STO cutoff scores. Results: Results suggest that the STO single-factor structure was stable across countries, had a strong association with PTSD and CPTSD levels, and had predictive utility in differentiating between PTSD and CPTSD. Moreover, we found that there are different cutoffs for the STO in the different countries. Conclusion: There is a strong but distinctive association between the introspective and the observed-phenomenological approaches of PTSD and CPTSD. Our findings call for more integrative approaches for the assessment of PTSD and CPTSD and suggest that there are cultural differences in STO. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Displacement of people from their homes, families and countries is a current global crisis, with over 70 million people forcibly on the move. A substantial proportion of these people will end up in regions with a different language and culture, where they are registered as refugees or asylum seekers. Due to the underlying reasons for displacement (including conflicts, persecution or violation of human rights), displaced people are severely stress-exposed, which continues into their post-migration life and increases risk for developing psychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders and mood disorders. While landmark studies have illustrated the increased prevalence of psychopathology in asylum seeker and refugee populations following pre-/post-displacement stress, few studies add to our understanding of the basic biological mechanisms underpinning risk to psychiatric disorders in these populations. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying resilience despite significant adversity remain unclear. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning the development of psychiatric disorders in refugees can propel treatments (both drug and non-drug) that are capable of influencing biology at the molecular level, and the design of interventions. In the following review, we summarise the status quo of research investigating the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders in refugees, and propose new ways to address gaps in knowledge with multidisciplinary research., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: There is little evidence that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more likely to follow traumatic events defined by Criterion A than non-Criterion A stressors. Criterion A events might have greater predictive validity for International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11 PTSD, which is a condition more narrowly defined by core features. We evaluated the impact of using Criterion A, an expanded trauma definition in line with ICD-11 guidelines, and no exposure criterion on rates of ICD-11 PTSD and Complex PTSD (CPTSD). We also assessed whether 5 psychologically threatening events included in the expanded definition were as strongly associated with PTSD and CPTSD as standard Criterion A events., Method: A nationally representative sample from Ireland ( N = 1,020) completed self-report measures., Results: Most participants were trauma-exposed based on Criterion A (82%) and the expanded (88%) criterion. When no exposure criterion was used, 13.7% met diagnostic requirements for PTSD or CPTSD, 13.2% when the expanded criterion was used, and 13.2% when Criterion A was used. The 5 psychologically threatening events were as strongly associated with PTSD and CPTSD as the Criterion A events. In a multivariate analysis, only the psychologically threatening events were significantly associated with PTSD (stalking) and CPTSD (bullying, emotional abuse, and neglect)., Conclusions: Certain non-Criterion A events involving extreme fear and horror should be considered traumatic. The ICD-11 approach of providing clinical guidance rather than a formal definition offers a viable solution to some of the problems associated with the current and previous attempts to define traumatic exposure. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Background: Detection of childhood traumas is important both in clinical practice and in research. There is a pressing need for methods that are relatively simple but comprehensive, non-intrusive, and possess adequate psyc - ho metric properties. In this study we translated one of the most widely used and well-studied measure of childhood abuse and neglect and explored the psychometrical properties of this questionnaire., Methods: The study was based on data from a clinical (N=171) and a normative (N=358) sample. In total 529 adults participated in the testing process. Beside the trauma questionnaire Parental Bonding Inventory, Impact of Events Scale and Dissociative Experiences Scale were administered., Results: We examined the internal consistency of the translated trauma questionnaire. The Cronbach's a coefficients for the five subscales ranged from 0,639 to 0,934. Participants in the clinical sample reached higher scores on all trauma subscales except sexual abuse, than normative adults [PA: t (398)=-2,771; p=0,006; PN: t (398)=-5,990; p=0,000; EA: t (398)=-3,679; p=0,000; EN: t (398)=-4,759; p=0,000; total score: t (398)=-4,669; p=0,000]. Correlations among the trauma questionnaire total score and the scales of Parental Bonding Inventory indicating some medium effects (with maternal care: r=-0,661; p=0,000; with paternal care: r=-0,483; p=0,000)., Conclusion: Our preliminary findings suggest that this trauma questionnaire is practical and facilitates the systema - tic evaluation of adverse early life events and maximizes the possibility of detecting childhood abuse and neglect.

Background: With the rapid development of medical treatment, many patients not only consider the survival time, but also care about the quality of life. Changes in physical, psychological and social functions after and during treatment have caused a lot of troubles to patients and their families. Based on the bio-psycho-social medical model theory, mental health plays an important role in treatment. Therefore, it is necessary for medical staff to know the diseases which have high potential to cause psychological trauma and social avoidance (PTSA)., Results: Firstly, we obtained diseases which can cause PTSA from literatures. Then, we calculated the similarities of related-diseases to build a disease network. The similarities between diseases were based on their known related genes. Then, we obtained these diseases-related proteins from UniProt. These proteins were extracted as the features of diseases. Therefore, in the disease network, each node denotes a disease and contains the information of its related proteins, and the edges of the network are the similarities of diseases. Then, graph convolutional network (GCN) was used to encode the disease network. In this way, each disease's own feature and its relationship with other diseases were extracted. Finally, Xgboost was used to identify PTSA diseases., Conclusion: We developed a novel method 'GCN-Xgboost' and compared it with some traditional methods. Using leave-one-out cross-validation, the AUC and AUPR were higher than some existing methods. In addition, case studies have been done to verify our results. We also discussed the trajectory of social avoidance and distress during acute survival of breast cancer patients.

Objective: The authors evaluated potential predisposing vulnerabilities and perpetuating factors among individuals with functional neurological disorder (FND) by using the novel Lifespan Negative Experiences Scale (LiNES), which assesses retrospective self-report of interpersonal trauma, negative affect, and relationship insecurity at three developmental stages: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood., Methods: The LiNES, Childhood Abuse and Trauma Scale (CATS), Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) were administered to 71 individuals with FND. The reliability and validity of LiNES were examined by correlation with the other measures. FND patients' responses on LiNES were compared with those of 170 healthy control subjects., Results: LiNES scores in the FND group were internally consistent and correlated highly with CATS, RSQ, and PANAS scores. At each developmental stage, LiNES trauma scores were higher among patients with FND, compared with control subjects. The FND subgroup, which comprised patients who also had nonepileptic attack disorder, had higher trauma scores, compared with the FND-only subgroup. Compared with control subjects, patients with FND reported greater negative affect and relationship insecurity in adulthood. Lifetime LiNES scores for interpersonal trauma and relationship insecurity predicted FND group classification with >80% accuracy., Conclusions: This study provides further support for the links between FND and trauma, negative affect, and insecure attachment. Recognition of these factors is likely to be important for treatment and stratification of important subpopulations in research. These findings provide new insights into the association between the timing of negative experiences and their effect, with LiNES emerging as a potentially useful measure for patients presenting with FND.

Several studies have reported the factor structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results show models with different number of factors, high correlations between factors, and symptoms that belong to different factors in different models without affecting the fit index. These elements could suppose the existence of considerable item cross-loading, the overlap of different factors or even the presence of a general factor that explains the items common source of variance. The aim is to provide new evidence regarding the factor structure of PTSD using CFA and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). In a sample of 1,372 undergraduate students, we tested six different models using CFA and two models using ESEM and ESEM bifactor analysis. Trauma event and past-month PTSD symptoms were assessed with Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5) and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). All six tested CFA models showed good fit indexes (RMSEA = .051-.056, CFI = .969-.977, TLI = .965-.970), with high correlations between factors (M = .77, SD = .09 to M = .80, SD = .09). The ESEM models showed good fit indexes (RMSEA = .027-.036, CFI = .991-.996, TLI = .985-.992). These models confirmed the presence of cross-loadings on several items as well as loads on a general factor that explained 76.3% of the common variance. The results showed that most of the items do not meet the assumption of dimensional exclusivity, showing the need to expand the analysis strategies to study the symptomatic organization of PTSD.

Background and Objectives: Exposure to early-life trauma may lead to maladaptive characteristics such as alexithymia, and thus to poorer emotional regulation. This relationship may also be influenced by exposure to substances prenatally. We hypothesized that increased alexithymia would be seen in those with prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE). Additionally, we hypothesized that early-life trauma would be associated with alexithymia, and that alexithymia would be associated with poor emotional reappraisal and emotional suppression., Methods: A moderated mediation model was developed to examine whether the hypothesized indirect relationship between trauma and emotional reappraisal through alexithymia was different in young adults with and without PCE (Total N = 57). Thirty-seven young adults with PCE and 20 with no such exposure, all of whom were members of a longitudinal cohort, were recruited for the study, and data concerning childhood trauma, alexithymia, and emotional regulation were collected. Intercorrelations were performed between the scores on each measure and moderated mediation models were constructed separately with emotional neglect or emotional abuse as the independent variable and emotional reappraisal or emotional suppression as the dependent variable., Results: PCE status was associated with alexithymia, and alexithymia mediated the relationship between emotional neglect and emotional reappraisal in individuals with PCE but not those without., Discussion and Conclusions: The data suggest that alexithymia is a mechanism underlying poor use of emotional reappraisal in PCE individuals., Scientific Significance: Individuals with early-life trauma and substance exposure may represent a vulnerable population, and alexithymia may play a key role in the development of emotional regulation skills in this population. (Am J Addict 2020;29:492-499)., (© 2020 American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.)

A trauma history is present in approximately 90% of adults in the United States. Comparatively, lifetime post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence is only 8.3% (Kilpatrick et al. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 26, 537-547, 2013). A neuropsychological understanding of trauma is essential to effective trauma-informed assessments and treatments. Prior reviews have focused on PTSD, specific neuropsychological domains, and statistically rather than clinically significant results. The current systematic review investigated standardized test performance across neuropsychological domains in participants with trauma histories and any psychiatric diagnosis. The review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. From 2350 records, the search returned 21 eligible studies: 8 for combat trauma, 2 for childhood trauma, 2 for intimate partner violence and sexual assault, 2 for accidental trauma, 1 for refugee trauma, and 6 for unspecified trauma. Mean neuropsychological scores ranged from low to high average, with one mean verbal memory score in the borderline range. These findings diverge from reports of between-group differences or experimental task performance, which suggest greater levels of static cognitive impairment. Current results are limited by lack of distinction between trauma types in the literature, a dearth of cognitive domains examined, wide use of self-report trauma measures, and publication and outcome reporting biases. Clinical implications for assessment and rehabilitation are discussed in relation to clinical significance, state versus trait based changes, intra-individual variability, changes from pre- to post-trauma, and within-group variability in resilience. Future directions are recommended in consideration of cultural factors, prospective and follow-up designs, and psychiatric diagnosis.

Importance: Yazidi women in northern Iraq have experienced severe human rights violations through attacks by the so-called Islamic State group, with severe consequences for their health. However, no studies to date have investigated how war-related and gender-based violence, including partner violence, are associated with mental health disorders in this population., Objective: To evaluate the associations between Yazidi women's experiences of violence (ie, war violence, partner violence, enslavement) and their mental health., Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study of 326 women was conducted in camps for displaced persons in the Kurdistan region of Iraq between January and July 2017. Participants were married women from the Yazidi population in northern Iraq who were affected by Islamic State attacks. Participants were selected via household-randomized sampling. Data analysis was conducted from December 2018 to September 2019., Exposures: Experiences of enslavement, war-related events, and intimate partner violence were measured with event checklists., Main Outcomes and Measures: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression levels were measured using culturally validated instruments., Results: A total of 326 women (mean [SD] age, 34.3 [12.9] years) participated in the study. Almost all participants reported the experience of at least 1 war-related violent event (325 [99.7%]), 54 (16.6%) reported a history of abduction and sexual slavery, and 215 (66.0%) reported the experience of at least 1 type of intimate partner violence in the past year. There were no significant differences between women who did and did not experience abduction regarding exposure to intimate partner violence. Rates of PTSD and depression symptoms were high among the whole sample, and women who experienced abduction reported significantly higher levels of psychopathology than those who did not (mean [SD] PTSD score: 61.48 [12.38] vs 47.61 [14.42]; t324 = -6.91; P < .001; mean [SD] depression score: 3.07 [0.68] vs 2.43 [0.68]; t324 = -6.78; P < .001). Multivariate hierarchical regressions revealed that psychopathology was associated with exposure to war-related events (PTSD: β = 0.29; P < .001; depression: β = 0.27; P < .001) as well as with exposure to gender-based violence in Islamic State captivity (PTSD: β = 0.19; P = .001; depression: β = 0.28, P < .001) and in their marriage (PTSD: β = 0.13; P = .008; depression: β = 0.18; P < .001)., Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, interviewed Yazidi women often experienced intimate partner violence as well as war-related and gender-based violence under Islamic State attacks and enslavement, experiences that were associated with mental health impairment. The findings underline the importance of also addressing gender-based violence within health care approaches for war-affected populations.

The ubiquitous exposure to COVID-19 argues for governments to use a trauma-informed response as a universal precaution, with the goal of promoting the recovery and resilience of their residents. How a system defines trauma will drive its administrative policies, research, and clinical services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach offers governments a framework to define trauma and incorporate trauma-informed principles and tasks into their COVID-19 responses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Adverse childhood experiences, which is defined by different forms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction occurring before the age of 18 years, is a major public health problem in the United States that has the potential to worsen in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the challenge is even greater for children and youth from low-income communities and communities of color. Thus, there is a greater need for investments in youth-serving systems within and beyond health care and public health to effectively address adverse childhood experiences and prevent its short- and long-term negative health and social sequelae well beyond the current public health crisis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Background: For populations with high rates of trauma exposure yet low behavioural health service use, identifying and addressing trauma in the primary care setting could improve health outcomes, reduce disability and increase the efficiency of health system resources., Objective: To assess the acceptability and feasibility of a screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) process for trauma and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among American Indian and Alaska Native people. We also examine the short-term effects on service utilization and the screening accuracy of the Primary Care Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Screen., Methods: Cross-sectional pilot in two tribal primary care settings. Surveys and interviews measured acceptability among patients and providers. Health service utilization was used to examine impact. Structured clinical interview and a functional disability measure were used to assess screening accuracy., Results: Over 90% of patient participants (N = 99) reported the screening time was acceptable, the questions were easily understood, the right staff were involved and the process satisfactory. Ninety-nine percent would recommend the process. Participants screening positive had higher behavioural health utilization in the 3 months after the process than those screening negative. The Primary Care Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Screen was 100% sensitive to detect current PTSD with 51% specificity. Providers and administrators reported satisfaction with the process., Conclusions: The SBIRT process shows promise for identifying and addressing trauma in primary care settings. Future research should explore site specific factors, cost analyses and utility compared to other behavioural health screenings., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Prospective population-based studies of psychiatric comorbidity following trauma and severe stress exposure in children are limited., Aims: To examine incident psychiatric comorbidity following stress disorder diagnoses in Danish school-aged children using Danish national healthcare system registries., Method: Children (6-15 years of age) with a severe stress or adjustment disorder (ICD-10) between 1995 and 2011 (n = 11 292) were followed prospectively for an average of 5.8 years. Incident depressive, anxiety and behavioural disorder diagnoses were examined relative to an age- and gender-matched comparison cohort (n = 56 460) using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Effect modification by gender was examined through stratified analyses., Results: All severe stress and adjustment disorder diagnoses were associated with increased rates for all incident outcome disorders relative to the comparison cohort. For instance, adjustment disorders were associated with higher rates of incident depressive (rate ratio RR = 6.8; 95% CI 6.0-7.7), anxiety (RR = 5.3; 95% CI 4.5-6.4), and behavioural disorders (RR = 7.9; 95% CI 6.6-9.3). Similarly, PTSD was also associated with higher rates of depressive (RR = 7.4; 95% CI 4.2-13), anxiety (RR = 7.1; 95% CI 3.5-14) and behavioural disorder (RR = 4.9; 95% CI 2.3-11) diagnoses. There was no evidence of gender-related differences., Conclusions: Stress disorders varying in symptom constellation and severity are associated with a range of incident psychiatric disorders in children. Transdiagnostic assessments within a longitudinal framework are needed to characterise the course of post-trauma or severe stressor psychopathology.

We provide a brief description of the development of the Trauma and Suicide Potential Index-5 (TSPI-5) and report on the psychometric properties of scores from the new instrument. The TSPI-5 is designed to assess an individual's desire to attempt suicide due to experiencing a trauma. We examined the structure of the instrument in two independent undergraduate samples. Study 1 (N = 415) examined the structure of the TSPI-5 using exploratory structural equation modeling. Study 2 (N = 538) reexamined the instrument structure using the same modeling strategy and also examined other validity estimates. Study 1 demonstrated an adequate fit to the sample data ( χ 2 [1, N = 415] = 215.99, p  < .001, comparative fit index (CFI ) = .969, Tucker-Lewis non-normed fit index (TLI) = .939, root mean squared error of approximation (RMSEA) = .319 [90% confidence interval (CI) = .283, .356], p  < .001) and suggested evidence for unidimensionality. Study 2 confirmed the unidimensionality of the TSPI-5 as shown by acceptable fit estimates to the sample data, χ 2 (5, N = 538) = 80.45, p  < .001, CFI = .996, TLI = .99, RMSEA = .17 (90% CI = .140, .200), p  < .001. Scale reliability estimates for the TSPI-5 were good in Study 1 (omega = .94) and Study 2 (omega = .96). The TSPI-5 is a brief unidimensional instrument and its scores demonstrated good reliability and validity for assessing suicide-related behaviors due to experiencing a trauma in undergraduate samples.

The high numbers of COVID-19 infections and deaths, economic difficulties, uncertainty about the future, as well as the approaches needed to contain the spread of the virus are all playing critical roles in the short and long-term social and psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inequities based on race and socioeconomic status influence the rates of infection and deaths and steps that are needed to achieve recovery. This commentary focuses on similarities and differences after other disasters and efforts being initiated to provide support and recovery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Adolescents often experience trauma that can affect their daily function and lead to health-related issues and outcomes. However, medical providers receive limited training on the impact of trauma on adolescents and how to incorporate that information into treatment practices. This article highlights the impact of crisis and trauma on adolescents. An overview of current assessments and evidence-based interventions to address adolescent patients' crisis needs is provided. In addition, recommendations for community referrals and partnerships that could improve the health outcomes of these youth are discussed., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: College students are at an increased risk of psychiatric distress. So, identifying its important correlates using more reliable statistical models, instead of inefficient traditional variable selection methods like stepwise regression, is of great importance. The objective of this study was to investigate correlates of psychiatric distress among college students in Iran; using group smoothly clipped absolute deviation method (SCAD)., Methods: A number of 1259 voluntary college students participated in this cross-sectional study (Jan-May 2016) at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic information, a behavioral risk factors checklist and the GHQ-28 questionnaire (with a cut-off of 23 to measure psychiatric distress, recommended by the Iranian version of the questionnaire). Penalized logistic regression with a group-SCAD regularization method was used to analyze the data (α = 0.05)., Results: The majority of students were aged 18-25 (87.61%), and 60.76% of them were female. About 41% of students had psychiatric distress. Significant correlates of psychiatric distress among college students selected by group-SCAD included the average grade, educational level, being optimistic about future, having a boy/girlfriend, having an emotional breakup, the average daily number of cigarettes, substance abusing during previous month and having suicidal thoughts ever (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Penalized logistic regression methods such as group-SCAD and group-Adaptive-LASSO should be considered as plausible alternatives to stepwise regression for identifying correlates of a binary response. Several behavioral variables were associated with psychological distress which highlights the necessity of designing multiple factors and behavioral changes in interventional programs.

The Issue: Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) is transforming every aspect of our lives. Identified in late 2019, COVID-19 quickly became characterized as a global pandemic by March of 2020. Given the rapid acceleration of transmission, and the lack of preparedness to prevent and treat this virus, the negative impacts of COVID-19 are rippling through every facet of society. Although large numbers of people throughout the world will show resilience to the profound loss, stress, and fear associated with COVID-19, the virus will likely exacerbate existing mental health disorders and contribute to the onset of new stress-related disorders for many., Recommendations: The field of traumatic stress should address the serious needs that will emerge now and well into the future. However, we propose that these efforts may be limited, in part, by ongoing gaps that exist within our research and clinical care. In particular, we suggest that COVID-19 requires us to prioritize and mobilize as a research and clinical community around several key areas: (a) diagnostics, (b) prevention, (c) public outreach and communication, (d) working with medical staff and mainstreaming into nonmental health services, and (e) COVID-19-specific trauma research. As members of our community begin to rapidly develop and test interventions for COVID-19-related distress, we hope that those in positions of leadership in the field of traumatic stress consider limits of our current approaches, and invest the intellectual and financial resources urgently needed in order to innovate, forge partnerships, and develop the technologies to support those in greatest need. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Childhood trauma is a key modifiable risk factor for psychopathology. Despite significant scientific advances, traumatised children still have poorer long-term outcomes than nontraumatised children. New research paradigms are, thus, needed. To this end, the review examines three dominant assumptions about measurement, design and analytical strategies. Current research warns against using prospective and retrospective measures of childhood trauma interchangeably; against interpreting cross-sectional differences in putative mediating mechanisms between adults with or without a history of childhood trauma as evidence of longitudinal changes from pre-trauma conditions; and against directly applying explanatory models of resilience or vulnerability to psychopathology in traumatised children to forecast individual risk in unseen cases. The warnings equally apply to research on broader measures of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Further research examining these assumptions can generate new insights on how to prevent childhood trauma and its detrimental effects., (© 2019 Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.)

Background: Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) typically report a poorer treatment response than those who have not served in the Armed Forces. A possible explanation is that veterans often present with complex symptoms of PTSD. ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD) have not previously been explored in a military sample., Aims: This study aimed to validate the only measure of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD, the International Trauma Questionnaire, and assess the rates of the disorder in a sample of treatment-seeking UK veterans., Method: A sample of help-seeking veterans (N = 177) was recruited from a national charity in the UK that provides clinical services to veterans. Participants completed measures of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD as well as childhood and adult traumatic life events. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the latent structure of PTSD and CPTSD symptoms, and rates of the disorders were estimated., Results: The majority of the participants (70.7%) reported symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of either PTSD or CPTSD. Results indicated the presence of two separate disorders, with CPTSD being more frequently endorsed (56.7%) than PTSD (14.0%). CPTSD was more strongly associated with childhood trauma than PTSD., Conclusions: The International Trauma Questionnaire can adequately distinguish between PTSD and CPTSD within clinical samples of veterans. There is a need to explore the effectiveness of existing and new treatments for CPTSD in military personnel.

Exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs), and trauma related diagnoses are poorly understood in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and developmental disabilities (DD). The current study examined N = 7695 cases seen by a community mental health provider to compare exposure to PTEs and trauma-related diagnoses between children with ASD, children with DD, and children with other mental health diagnoses (e.g., depression). Predictors included demographics, exposure to negative life events, living situations, and subscales of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). Logistic regressions showed that diagnostic group, number and type of negative life events and locations lived, and SDQ subscale scores predicted trauma reports and trauma diagnoses. The findings suggest screener questions that may be useful across diagnostic groups.

Using a cross-sectional survey of 673 multidisciplinary autism spectrum disorder providers recruited from five different sites in the United States, we examined the frequency with which community-based providers inquire about, screen, and treat trauma-related symptoms in their patients/students and assessed their perceptions regarding the need for and barriers to providing these services. Univariate and bivariate frequencies of self-reported trauma service provision, training needs, and barriers were estimated. Multivariable logistic regressions identified provider and patient-related factors associated with trauma-related symptoms screening and treatment. Over 50% of providers reported some screening and treatment of trauma-related symptoms in youth with autism spectrum disorder. Over 70% informally inquired about trauma-related symptoms; only 10% universally screened. Screening and treatment varied by provider discipline, setting, amount of interaction, and years of experience with autism spectrum disorder, as well as by patient/student sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Most providers agreed that trauma screening is a needed service impeded by inadequate provider training in trauma identification and treatment. The findings indicate that community providers in the United States of varied disciplines are assessing and treating trauma-related symptoms in youth with autism spectrum disorder, and that evidence-based approaches are needed to inform and maximize these efforts.

Objective: City Birth Trauma Scale is a recently developed scale specifically designed for evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth based on the DSM-5 criteria (Ayers, Wright, & Thornton, 2018). Previous studies showed a two-factor structure of PTSD symptoms in postpartum women; however, more complex models were not tested. This study aimed to validate the Croatian version of the City Birth Trauma Scale and determine the latent factor structure of postpartum PTSD., Method: In a cross-sectional study, 603 women completed online questionnaires comprising the City Birth Trauma Scale, Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the anxiety subscale from the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21)., Results: Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the bifactor model of birth-related symptoms and general symptoms had an excellent fit to the data. Both subscales and the total scale showed high internal consistency (α = .92). Convergent and divergent validity testing showed high validity, especially for birth-related symptoms. Discriminant validity was confirmed with primiparous women and women who gave birth by instrumental vaginal delivery and emergency caesarean section having significantly higher scores on birth-related symptoms, but not on general symptoms, suggesting high discriminant validity of the birth-related symptoms subscale., Conclusions: The City Birth Trauma Scale is a reliable and valid measure. Both total scale score and subscale scores can be calculated. It is highly recommended for use in postpartum population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Objective: ICD-11 introduces post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD) as two distinct trauma-related disorders. Using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) as disorder-specific measure, this study is the first to examine the factorial and construct validity of ICD-11 PTSD, CPTSD and the ITQs' applicability in children., Methods: Two hundred and eight Austrian foster children completed a set of standardized measures. Excluding participants who reported not having experienced any kind of trauma, a final sample of 136 children completed the ITQ. Factorial and construct validity of ICD-11 CPTSD and psychometric properties of ITQ scales were assessed by factor analysis and latent class analysis., Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the two-factor higher-order model of ICD-11 CPTSD in children by high factor loadings and excellent model fit. Reliability and regression analysis evidenced psychometric adequacy and discriminant validity of ITQ scales. Latent class analysis substantiated construct validity of ICD-11 CPTSD, identifying a CPTSD (22.8%), PTSD (31.6%) and low symptoms class (45.6%). The CPTSD class showed highest rates of childhood trauma, comorbid psychopathology and functional impairment., Conclusion: Factorial and construct validity of ICD-11 CPTSD was evidenced in children for the first time using precise descriptions of ICD-11 symptom content, supporting the reliability and validity of the ITQ in children., (© 2019 The Authors. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

There is growing evidence to support the link between childhood trauma and psychosis. Childhood trauma increases the risk for psychosis and affects severity and type of psychotic symptoms, and frequency of comorbid conditions, including depression and substance use. Childhood trauma is linked to more severe functional impairment in individuals with psychosis. There is evidence to support gender differences in the influence of childhood trauma on the course of psychotic illnesses, appearing to be more profound in girls and women. Other biological markers that may explain the link between childhood trauma and psychosis include brain-derived neurotrophic factor and other inflammatory markers., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Frequently overlooked during the patient's treatment, psychological trauma can constitute a significant part of the addiction problem. Clinical data reveal a high incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder for which addictive behaviours may be a way of repressing the anxiety caused by the trauma. Systematic screening for trauma would help to ensure an appropriate treatment plan is put in place., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Although bereavement is likely a common stressor among patients referred to a psychotrauma clinic, no study has yet examined the co-occurrence and relationships between symptoms of prolonged grief disorder (PGD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and major depressive disorder symptoms in this population., Method: In a sample of patients seeking treatment following psychological trauma (n = 458), we used latent class analysis to identify classes of patients sharing the same profile of PGD, PTSD, and depression symptoms. We then used network analysis to investigate the relationships among these symptoms and with loss-related variables., Results: Most participants (65%) were members of a class that exhibited elevated endorsement of PGD symptoms. PGD, PTSD, and depression symptoms hung together as highly overlapping but distinguishable communities of symptoms. Symptoms related to social isolation and diminished sense of self bridged these communities. Violent loss was associated with more difficulty accepting the loss. The loss of close kin was most strongly associated with difficulty moving on in life., Conclusions: PGD symptoms are common in trauma-exposed bereaved adults and closely associated with symptoms of PTSD and depression, illustrating the importance of assessing bereavement and PGD symptoms in those seeking treatment following trauma., (© 2019 The Authors. Depression and Anxiety published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Early life stress (ELS) is associated with an increased risk of depression and this association may be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. A previous epigenome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) study investigating human newborns and two animal models of ELS suggested that the epigenetic regulator MORC1 is differentially methylated following ELS. The ELS-induced DNAm alterations were long-lasting in the animal models. However, whether this finding is also transferable to humans experiencing ELS in childhood was not investigated. Further, MORC1 may provide a link between ELS and adult depression, as MORC1 DNAm and genetic variants were found to be associated with depressive symptoms in humans. In the present study, we investigated the validity of MORC1 DNAm as a biomarker of ELS in humans and its role in linking ELS to depression later in life by studying childhood maltreatment. We analyzed whole blood MORC1 DNAm in an adult cohort (N = 151) that was characterized for both the presence of depressive symptoms and childhood maltreatment. Further, we investigated the association between MORC1 DNAm, depressive symptoms and childhood maltreatment in two additional cohorts (N = 299, N = 310). Overall, our data do not indicate an association of MORC1 DNAm with childhood maltreatment. An association of MORC1 DNAm with depressive symptoms was present in all cohorts, but was inconsistent in the specific CpG sites associated and the direction of effect (Tuebingen cohort: standardized β = 0.16, unstandardized β = 0.01, 95% CI [-0.0004, -0.0179], p = 0.061, PReDICT cohort: standardized β = -0.12, unstandardized β = -0.01, 95% CI [-0.0258, -0.0003], p = 0.045), Grady cohort: standardized β = 0.16, unstandardized β = 0.008, 95% CI [0.0019, 0.0143], p = 0.01). Our study thus suggests that peripheral MORC1 DNAm cannot serve as biomarker of childhood maltreatment in adults, but does provide further indication for the association of MORC1 DNAm with depressive symptoms., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: In this study, the first to examine psychometrics of a Haitian Kreyòl version of the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40 (TSC-40), we investigated trauma symptoms in survivors of Haiti's 2010 earthquake who reside in Haiti's Cité Soleil slum, a violent neighborhood where non-partner sexual violence (NPSV) is rampant and whose residents are historically underrepresented in research., Methods: 233 women and 280 men 18 years or older completed the TSC-40. Differential Item Function (DIF) analysis was performed on the TSC-40 responses for women and men. We examined symptom counts by gender, between NPSV victims and non-victims, and by interaction between gender and NPSV experience., Results: We identified a reduced pool of 17-items that exhibited no gender bias. This 17-item index showed acceptable internal consistency reliability (α = 0.87). Employing this index, average symptom counts for women (x¯ = 11.3) did not differ from men (x¯= 11.1). Average symptom counts for NPSV victims was greater (x¯ = 12.5) than for non-victims (x¯= 10.7). The gender by experience of NPSV interaction indicated that women victims had the highest symptom counts (x¯=14.0)., Limitations: We used non-probability sampling, and data were from self-reports collected in a cross-sectional survey., Conclusions: Observed differences in trauma burden are likely to be misleading if instruments are administered without regard to DIF. We contribute a Haitian Kreyòl Trauma Symptom 17-item index, which offers clinicians/practitioners in Haiti the opportunity to use a valid and reliable measure of enduring trauma symptoms validated in Haiti., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Discrimination, poverty, and other aspects of the minority experience produce stress associated with health disparities. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a neuroendocrine subsystem usually monitored through assay of the hormone cortisol, is thought to play a key role in this relationship. Cortisol assay using hair specimens is a technology that promises to address important methodological problems in large-scale studies of health, well-being, and racial/ethnic status. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential of a hair cortisol assay-based method for studying trait-like HPA response to low to moderate levels of stress, associated with racial/ethnic discrimination and related social processes, among well-functioning young adults. The hair cortisol measure was shown to be highly reliable; it detected differences in gender and ethnic/racial identity and was correlated with a history of physical abuse and measures of experienced microaggression. The results support the promise of hair-based cortisol assay as a key methodology in health disparities research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).