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Psychological and Physiological Trauma Research
Seize Your Journeys
_______________________ Traumatic stress is found in many competent, healthy, strong, good people. No one can completely protect themselves from traumatic experiences. Many people have long-lasting problems following exposure to trauma. Up to 8% of persons will have PTSD at some time in their lives. People who react to traumas are not going crazy. What is happening to them is part of a set of common symptoms and problems that are connected with being in a traumatic situation, and thus, is a normal reaction to abnormal events and experiences. Having symptoms after a traumatic event is NOT a sign of personal weakness. Given exposure to a trauma that is bad enough, probably all people would develop PTSD. By understanding trauma symptoms better, a person can become less fearful of them and better able to manage them. By recognizing the effects of trauma and knowing more about symptoms, a person will be better able to decide about getting treatment. _______________________
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Natural Disasters
Trauma and Natural Disaster
Title: Social cognitive theory of posttraumatic recovery: The role of perceived self-efficacy. Author(s): Benight, Charles C., University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO, US; Bandura, Albert, Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, US, bandura@psych.stanford.edu Address: Benight, Charles C., Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, US, bandura@psych.stanford.edu Source: Behaviour Research & Therapy, Vol 42(10), Oct 2004. pp. 1129-1148. Publisher: Netherlands: Elsevier Science Abstract: The present article integrates findings from diverse studies on the generalized role of perceived coping self-efficacy in recovery from different types of traumatic experiences. They include natural disasters, technological catastrophes, terrorist attacks, military combat, and sexual and criminal assaults. The various studies apply multiple controls for diverse sets of potential contributors to posttraumatic recovery. In these different multivariate analyses, perceived coping self-efficacy emerges as a focal mediator of posttraumatic recovery. Verification of its independent contribution to posttraumatic recovery across a wide range of traumas lends support to the centrality of the enabling and protective function of belief in one's capability to exercise some measure of control over traumatic adversity. _____
Title: Depression and anxiety in developing countries. Author(s): Ben-Ezra, M., Department of Psychology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, menbe@post.tau.ac.il' Essar, N., Department of Psychology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel Address: Ben-Ezra, M., Department of Psychology, Tel Aviv University, Sharet Building, Ramat-Aviv, PO Box 39040, Tel Aviv, Israel, 69978, menbe@post.tau.ac.il Source: Lancet, Vol 364(9444), Oct 2004. pp. 1488. Publisher: United Kingdom: Lancet Abstract: Comments on an article by D.J. Stein and O. Gureje, "Depression and anxiety in the developing world: is it time to medicalise the suffering" (see record 2004-19072-002). The authors disregard an important factor that contributes to stress and depression in developing countries. As well as manmade traumas, discussed in their Comment, natural disasters are a major cause of the rise in diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in developing countries. They also mention the warnings from sociologists and philosophers about overmedicalisation of depression and anxiety. Contrary to philosophers and sociologists who do not see patients with PTSD and depression on a regular basis, we consider these individuals clinically ill, and believe they should receive drugs if they will help to improve their condition. Indeed, medication is sometimes the only way to help these individuals. _____
Title: The Third Reich in the unconscious. Author(s): Gamble, Damian, Portman Clinic, London, United Kingdom, dsgamble@btinternet.com Address: Gamble, Damian, Portman Clinic, 8 Fitzjohns Avenue, London, United Kingdom, NW3 5NA, dsgamble@btinternet.com Source: Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Vol 18(3), Sep 2004. pp. 355-357. Publisher: United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Reviewed Item: Vamik D. Volkan; Gabrielle Ast; William F. Greer, Jr (2002). The third Reich in the unconscious; (Brunner-Routledge, New York, 2002). 211 pp. Abstract: Reviews the book "The Third Reich in the Unconscious," by Vamik D. Volkan, Gabrielle Ast and William F. Greer. The subject of this book is the psychological effect of large-scale trauma on subsequent generations. It arises from psychotherapeutic work with individuals whose parents or ancestors endured unbearable persecution, war or natural disaster. The book is in three parts. The first part is a theoretical overview, the second part presents a number of case histories and the third part considers technical issues relating to treatment. The authors tell us that a population-scale catastrophe can be thought of as a single (if massive) traumatic event affecting a group of people or as many separate traumatic events affecting many separate individuals. Each individual experiences his or her own individual trauma that has a particular meaning and impact; everyone has their own story to tell. However, the meaning of each individual's story will also be modified by the impact on the group and the individual's identity within the group. The effect on the group is partly a function of the nature of the traumatic event. The impact of devastation caused by war is likely to be different to that caused by natural disaster, for example. If an ethnic group is victimized by another group, then the group that is attacked may feel helplessness and shame as well as a sense of rage and entitlement to revenge. These feelings, the authors suggest, can become internalized as part of the group identity. _____
Record: 4
Title: Gender and ethnicity differences in the prevalence of traumatic events: Evidence from a New Zealand community sample. Author(s): Flett, Ross A., School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand, R.A.Flett@massey.ac.nz
Kazantzis, Nikolaos, School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Long, Nigel R., School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
MacDonald, Carol, School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Millar, Michelle, School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand Address: Flett, Ross A., School of Psychology, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 5301, R.A.Flett@massey.ac.nz Source: Stress & Health: Journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress, Vol 20(3), Aug 2004. pp. 149-157.
Journal URL: http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/1532-3005/ Publisher: US: John Wiley & Sons
Publisher URL: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/ ISSN: 1532-3005 (Print)
1099-1700 (Electronic) Digital Object Identifier: 10.1002/smi.1014 Language: English Keywords: gender differences; ethnicity differences; traumatic events; unexpected death; combat; natural disasters; sexual assault Abstract: One thousand five hundred community residing New Zealand adults were assessed regarding their experience of traumatic events. Sixty-one per cent of those surveyed reported exposure to a traumatic event during their lifetime. Unexpected death of a close friend or relative was the most prevalent traumatic experience for the present sample, whereas combat and natural disasters were the least prevalent traumatic events. Consistent with prior research demonstrating gender differences in exposure to traumatic events, child and adult sexual assault was more common among women, and motor vehicle accidents and combat were more common among men. The present study also found that Maori individuals (indigenous people) had experienced a number of traumatic events to a greater extent than their European counterparts. These results are discussed within the New Zealand social context. _____
Record: 5
Title: Psychiatric responses to community trauma. Author(s): Greenfield, Shelly F. Source: Harvard Review of Psychiatry, Vol 12(4), Jul-Aug 2004. pp. 185-186.
Journal URL: http://hrp.oupjournals.org/ Publisher: United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis
Publisher URL: http://www.taylorandfrancis.com/ ISSN: 1067-3229 (Print)
1465-7309 (Electronic) Digital Object Identifier: 10.1080/10673220490509507 Language: English Keywords: psychiatric responses; community trauma; natural disasters; man made trauma; community-based interventions; preparedness Abstract: This special issue of the Harvard Review of Psychiatry presents a series of articles focusing on psychiatric responses to community trauma. The issue attempts to span a number of different domains. The first is to examine individual, community, and national responses to community trauma. The second is to present responses to different types of trauma including man-made (e.g., terrorism, suicide clusters, accidents) as well as natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes). Finally, many of the methods of intervention will have applications cross-nationally. The articles focusing on individual and community-based interventions are drawn from experiences in the United States, while the article on national response and preparedness is based on the experience in Turkey following two major earthquakes _____
Record: 6
Title: A World of Trouble (and how children develop in it). Author(s): Franks, Bridget A., Department of Educational Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, US, bfranks@coe.ufl.edu Address: Franks, Bridget A., Department of Educational Psychology, University of Florida, 1403 Norman Hall, P.O. Box 117047, Gainesville, FL, US, bfranks@coe.ufl.edu Source: Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, Vol 25(4), Jul-Aug 2004. pp. 491-500.
Journal URL: http://www.elsevier.com/inca/publications/store/6/2/0/1/9/9/ Publisher: Netherlands: Elsevier Science
Publisher URL: http://elsevier.com Reviewed Item: Annette M. La Greca; Wendy K. Silverman; Eric M. Vemberg; and Michael C. Roberts (Eds.) (2002). Helping children cope with disasters and terrorism; American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, 2002, 446 Pages, ISBN 1-55798-914-1 (cloth) (US ISSN: 0193-3973 (Print) Digital Object Identifier: 10.1016/j.appdev.2004.06.006 Language: English Keywords: terrorism; natural disasters; child & adolescent reactions; mental health interventions; psychosocial factors; health care delivery; traumatic stress; stress reactions; violence; war; development Abstract: Reviews the book "Helping children cope with disasters and terrorism," edited by La Greca et al. (see record 2002-01675-000). It is an important book on a disturbing topic. It reviews research and interventions for children and adolescents who have experienced some of the worst events in our world, from storms and wildfires to horrendous acts of violence such as hostage taking, terrorism, and war. While it is not primarily a developmental book, the research in it raises some interesting developmental questions. This review will consider the importance of this research to developmental psychologists and the ways in which a more developmental approach to disaster research (advocated by the book's editors) might contribute to our understanding of the effects of such terrible events on children. La Greca and colleagues, all clinical psychologists, have not only assembled an impressive group of chapter authors, but have also provided a useful conceptual structure in four sections to guide the understanding of psychologists in other fields. The authors have done a superb job with the important but surely unpleasant task of describing just how bad things can get in this world and just how seriously those things can affect the development of our young people. Even with their dispassionate style of presentation, the evidence is harrowing, particularly in the chapters on violence. It is important for developmental psychologists to think about integrating this material with our theories of human development. _____
Record: 7
Title: Posttraumatic stress disorder among professional and non-professional rescuers involved in an earthquake in Taiwan. Author(s): Guo, Ya-Jun, Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Municipal Ho-Ping General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
Chen, Chin-Hung, Tsao-Tun Psychiatric Center, Nantao, Taiwan
Lu, Mong-Liang, Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Medical University-Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, mongliang@sinamail.com
Tan, Happy Kuy-Lok, Tsao-Tun Psychiatric Center, Nantao, Taiwan
Lee, Huei-Wen, Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Municipal Ho-Ping General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
Wang, Tsu-Nai, School of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan Address: Lu, Mong-Liang, Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Medical University-Wan Fang Hospital, No. 111, Hsing-Long Road, Sec. 3, Taipei, Taiwan, 116, mongliang@sinamail.com Source: Psychiatry Research, Vol 127(1-2), Jun 2004. pp. 35-41.
Journal URL: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/522773/desc ription#description Publisher: Netherlands: Elsevier Science
Publisher URL: http://elsevier.com ISSN: 0165-1781 (Print) Digital Object Identifier: 10.1016/j.psychres.2004.03.009 Language: English Keywords: posttraumatic stress disorder; earthquake rescue workers; Chi-Chi earthquake; mental health problems; rescue workers; prevalence Abstract: This study investigated the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among professional and nonprofessional rescue workers involved in the 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake in Taiwan. One month following the disaster, 252 rescue workers (167 professional rescue workers, 85 non-professional volunteers) were surveyed with the Chinese version of the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS-C) and the Chinese version of the SPAN (SPAN-C). Non-professional rescuers had significantly higher scores than professional rescuers on both the DTS-C and the SPAN-C. The prevalences of PTSD, as defined by a DTS-C score ≥44, among professional and non-professional rescuers were 19.8% and 31.8%, respectively. Among the three subscales of the DTS-C, only scores on the numbness/avoidance subscale were significantly higher in the non-professional than in the professional rescue workers. The results of this study suggest that disaster rescue work is associated with a high level of stress even for highly trained professionals and may lead to mental health problems. _____
Record: 8
Title: Can We Influence the Trajectory of Psychological Consequences to Terrorism? Author(s): Flynn, Brian W., Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, US, Brianwflynn@aol.com Address: Flynn, Brian W., P.O.B. 1205, Saverna Park, MD, US, Brianwflynn@aol.com Source: Psychiatry: Interpersonal & Biological Processes, Vol 67(2), Sum 2004. pp. 164-166. Publisher: US: Guilford Publications Abstract: Comments on an article by Stein et al, stating that the study also demonstrates a significant gap in the existing models of understanding and intervening with the largest of catastrophic events. The science, practice, and appreciation for the importance of emergency and disaster mental health response has, and continues, to grow. However, most of our models are based on events that are far more limited in scope than the psychosocial sequelae that this study tells us attend the events of September 11,2001. We have models for natural disaster. We have models for smaller-scale violent events. We do not have models for understanding and providing response and recovery from national disasters. This study documents the national nature of fear, distress, and changed behavior brought on by these types of events. While we may have notions about how to treat individuals and understand community response, we do not have models and strategies for intervening with a nation's distress and mobilizing the great fund of resiliency and positive adaptation. _____
Title: Full and partial PTSD among earthquake survivors in rural Taiwan. Author(s): Lai, Te-Jen, Chung Shan Medical U, Institute of Medicine, Taichung,, Taiwan; Chang, Chia-Ming, Chung Shan Medical U, Institute of Medicine, Taichung,, Taiwan; Connor, Kathryn. M., Duke U, Medical Ctr, Dept of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Durham, NC, US; Lee, Li-Ching, Johns Hopkins U, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Dept of Epidemiology, Baltimore, MD, US; Davidson, Jonathan R.T., Duke U, Medical Ctr, Dept of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Durham, NC, US, jonathan.davidson@duke.edu Address: Davidson, Jonathan R.T., Dept of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke U Medical Center, Box 3812, Durham, NE, US, jonathan.davidson@duke.edu Source: Journal of Psychiatric Research, Vol 38(3), May-Jun 2004. pp. 313-322. Publisher: Netherlands: Elsevier Science Abstract: In 1999, a major earthquake struck central Taiwan. Ten months after the earthquake, survivors were surveyed to examine the background factors of demographics and exposure that are associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and subthreshold posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSS) and to investigate the relationships between other psychiatric problems and PTSD and PTSS following the earthquake. Subjects (n = 252) randomly selected from two rural communities near the epicenter of the earthquake were interviewed. Three diagnostic groups were identified with regard to trauma-related symptoms; full PTSD, partial PTSD (PTSS), and non-PTSD. Prevalence rates were calculated and bivariate and multivariate comparisons adjusted for age, sex and education were performed. The prevalence rates for PTSD were 10.3% and 19.0%, respectively. The PTSD and PTSS groups differed significantly from non-PTSD on most variables. Few differences were observed between the PTSD and PTSS groups, although greater likelihood for major depression, trauma-related loss of life, and impaired stress vulnerability were noted in the PTSD group. _____
Title: Social Attitudes Toward Traumatized Men and Women: A Vignette Study. Author(s): Mendelsohn, Michaela, Department of Psychiatry, The Cambridge Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, US, m.mendelsohn@comcast.net; Sewell, Kenneth W., University of North Texas, Department of Psychology, Denton, TX, US Address: Mendelsohn, Michaela, Victims of Violence Program, Department of Psychiatry, The Cambridge Health Alliance, 26 Central Street, Somerville, MA, US, m.mendelsohn@comcast.net Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol 17(2), Apr 2004. pp. 103-111. Publisher: Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers Abstract: This study investigated social beliefs about gender-appropriate reactions to trauma. Ninety-three men and 179 women completed vignette measures of attitudes toward victims, the Bern Sex Role Inventory, and the Trauma History Questionnaire. Participants evaluated male victims less favorably than female victims. Women responded more positively toward all victims than men. Participants regarded female crime victims more positively than their male counterparts, but did not distinguish between male and female natural disaster victims. Feminine-sex-typed women rated victims more favorably than masculine-sex-typed individuals. There was a positive relation between personal trauma exposure and attitudes toward male victims among male participants. These findings contribute to an understanding of factors influencing the social reactions experienced by traumatized men and women, and have implications for clinical practice and psychoeducation. _____
Title: Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Comorbid Depression in Earthquake Survivors in Turkey: An Epidemiological Study. Author(s): Basoglu, Metin, Section of Trauma Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, University of London, London, United Kingdom, m.basoglu@iop.kcl.ac.uk.; Kiliç, Cengiz, Section of Trauma Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, University of London, London, United Kingdom; Salcioglu, Ebru, Section of Trauma Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, University of London, London, United Kingdom; Livanou, Maria, Section of Trauma Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, University of London, London, United Kingdom Address: Basoglu, Metin, Head of Section of Trauma Studies, Diyision of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, 38 Carver Road, London, United Kingdom, SE24 9LT, m.basoglu@iop.kcl.ac.uk. Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol 17(2), Apr 2004. pp. 133-141. Publisher: Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers Abstract: This study examined the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression 14 months after the earthquake in Turkey in 2 randomly selected samples from the epicenter (n=530) and a suburb of Istanbul 100 km from the epicenter (n=420). The rates of PTSD and depression comorbid with PTSD were, respectively, 23 and 16% at the epicenter and 14 and 8% in Istanbul. The strongest predictor of traumatic stress symptoms was fear during the earthquake, whereas predictions with female gender, past psychiatric illness, damage to home, participation in rescue work, past trauma, and loss of close ones were significant but weak. Our findings suggest that devastating earthquakes have long-term psychological effects. Psychological interventions reducing fear may improve PTSD in survivors. _____
Title: Trauma reactions of bystanders and victims to repetitive abuse experiences. Author(s): Janson, Gregory R., Ohio University, Athens, OH, US, gregory@ohio.edu; Hazler, Richard J., Penn State University, University Park, PA, US Address: Janson, Gregory R., Child and Family Studies, W324 Grover Center, College of Health and Human Services, Ohio University, Athens, OH, US, gregory@ohio.edu Source: Violence & Victims, Vol 19(2), Apr 2004. pp. 239-255. Publisher: US: Springer Publishing Abstract: This study investigated psychological distress as measured by the Impact of Events Scale-Revised and physiological reactivity as measured by skin conductance and heart rate in bystanders as compared to direct victims of prevalent forms of repetitive abuse (e.g., bullying). Participants (N=77) were interviewed twice: once to recall witnessing another person be abused repeatedly over time, and again to recall similar experiences as a victim. Present levels for bystander and victim distress were not significantly different, but distress levels were significantly greater for victim experiences at the time the repetitive abuse occurred. Scores for both groups were comparable to or exceeded scores associated with natural disasters and other life threatening experiences reported in the literature. Findings suggest repetitive abuse may affect bystanders and victims in similarly serious ways at the time the events occur and later in life. _____
Title: Guest Editor's Introduction. Author(s): Akbiyik, Derya Iren, Bayindir Medical Center, Ankara, Turkey, deryaakbiyik@hotmail.com Address: Akbiyik, Derya Iren, Bulbulderesi cad. 50/5, 06660, Ankara, Turkey, deryaakbiyik@hotmail.com Source: International Journal of Mental Health, Vol 33(1), Spr 2004. pp. 3-4. Publisher: US: ME Sharpe Abstract: On August 17, 1999, a devastating earthquake, measuring 7.5 on the Richter Scale, shook the northwestern part of Turkey causing terrible loss of life. According to the official statistics, there were 17,000 deaths. Unfortunately, it is estimated that the actual mortality figure is even higher. Turkey, in the meantime, had to face many other problems confronting the health and future well-being of the survivors. The article gives an introduction to the present issue of the journal "International Journal of Mental Health". In this issue of the journal the intent was to gather articles that evaluate the experience from various perspectives, such as the activities of the Turkish Ministry of Health, the effects on children and special groups such as people with disabilities, suicide risk, and post-traumatic stress disorder. _____
Title: The Effect of Earthquakes on the Risk of Suicide. Author(s): Akbiyik, Derya Iren, Bayindir Medical Center, Ankara, Turkey, deryaakbiyik@hotmail.com; Coskun, Bülent, Department of Psychiatry, Kocaeli University, Turkey; Sümbüloglu, Vildan, Department of Biostatistics, Karaelmas University, Zonguldak, Turkey; Tugcu, Handan, Department of Psychiatry, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey; Sayil, Isik, Department of Psychiatry, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey Address: Akbiyik, Derya Iren, Bulbulderesi cad. 50/5, 06660, Ankara, Turkey, deryaakbiyik@hotmail.com Source: International Journal of Mental Health, Vol 33(1), Spr 2004. pp. 39-45. Publisher: US: ME Sharpe Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether a traumatic experience such as an earthquake has any effect on the probability of suicide, especially in those who seem psychologically healthy. Prevention and support parameters are evaluated. Method: Two groups of thirty-five people each were compared regarding their probability of committing suicide. One group had experienced an earthquake and the other had not. A Suicide Probability Scale and a questionnaire on the socioeconomic and health status of the groups were used. Results: The total scores of the Suicide Probability Scale show no significant difference between the groups. But there was a significant difference between the two groups in that those with earthquake experience had a dominant feeling of hopelessness. Conclusion: Earthquake experience was not a risk factor in suicidal ideation, especially for those who have no social network disturbance, no loss of life in the family, and no major psychiatric illness. Feeling prepared for the possibility of coming disasters and supporting each other seem to be factors that prevent negative feelings. Conference: World Congress of Psychiatry, XII, 2002, Yokohama, Japan Conference Notes: This study was presented at the aforementioned conference and appeared in the Congress's proceedings. _____
Title: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Children After the 1999 Marmara Earthquake in Turkey. Author(s): Yorbik, Ozgür, Gulhane Military Medical School [GATA], Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Ankara, Turkey, oyorbik@yahoo.com; Akbiyik, Derya Iren, Bayindir Medical Center, Ankara, Turkey, deryaakbiyik@kimim.com; Kirmizigul, Pinar, Psychiatry Department, Gulhane Military Medical School, Ankara, Turkey; Söhmen, Teoman, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Gulhane Military Medical School, Ankara, Turkey Address: Yorbik, Ozgür, GATA Cocuk ve Ergen Psikiyatrisi, 06018, Ankara, Turkey, oyorbik@yahoo.com Source: International Journal of Mental Health, Vol 33(1), Spr 2004. pp. 46-58. Publisher: US: ME Sharpe Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in different age groups of children after the 1999 Marmara earthquake in Turkey. Method: The study included thirty-five patients, two to sixteen years old, who presented to the child and adolescent psychiatry department with symptoms of PTSD after the earthquake. An Earthquake Information Form and a Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Checklist were filled out with clinical interviews of cases and their relatives. Different age groups were compared with each other. Results: There are age-related differences in the perception of trauma or response to trauma of children and adolescents. Conclusion: Developmental factors are important in the perception of and response to trauma in children and adolescents. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV criteria are not sensitive enough to make the diagnosis of PTSD in preschoolers. New sensitive development criteria for the diagnosis of PTSD in children are needed. _____
Title: Psychological reactions in Icelandic earthquake survivors. Author(s): Bödvarsdóttir, Iris, Centre for Child Health Services, Reyjavik, Iceland, iris.bodvarsdottir@hr.is; Elklit, Ask, Institute of Psychology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark Address: Bödvarsdóttir, Iris, Fifubard 11, 735, Eskifjördur, Iceland, iris.bodvarsdottir@hr.is Source: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, Vol 45(1), Feb 2004. pp. 3-13. Publisher: United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing Abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the psychological consequences of two earthquakes in Iceland in two probability samples of subjects--residents in the exposed area and a control group from an unexposed area. The sample was composed of 52 adults exposed to the earthquakes and 29 adults in a control group. Three months after the earthquakes, both groups were approached with questions from a survey consisting of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), the Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSQ, the Coping Styles Questionnaire (CSQ), the World Assumption Scale (WAS), and the Crisis Support Scale (CSS). The results revealed that 24% in the exposed group had Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and none in the control group had PTSD. Earthquake-related anxiety, inability to express one's thoughts and feelings, and emotional coping predicted 81% of the HTQ variance for both groups. Previous life events, low self-worth, and luck attributions, together with numbing and the feeling of being let down, predicted 56% of the symptom variance for both groups. When degree of traumatization and emotional coping were added to the model, another 30% of the variance could be explained. _____
Title: Psychological reactions of Turkish earthquake survivors. Author(s): Erdur, Ozgur, U Texas At Austin, US Source: Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences & Engineering, Vol 64(8-B), 2004. pp. 3739. Publisher: US: Univ Microfilms International Abstract: The goal of this study was to examine DSM's posttraumatic stress disorder's (PTSD) symptom structure in relation to Turkish earthquake survivors and to examine the strength of associations of several risk/resilience variables with PTSD. In addition, the aim of the study was to look at the diagnostic features and development of PTSD in a culture specific context, because most of the knowledge on trauma and emotional experiences were produced based on western cultural premises and then imported to other international cultures. Confirmatory factor analysis was utilized to test the symptom structures of PTSD and the three symptom clusters (avoidance/numbing, reexperiencing, and arousal) of PTSD reported in DSM-IV failed to be confirmed. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to find the best-fitting factor structures for Turkish earthquake survivors. The data for the factor analyses were gathered from 440 Turkish earthquake survivors six weeks after the 1999 Istanbul earthquake. The risk and/or resilience variables (level of exposure, rumination, emotion regulation, and meta-mood traits) were examined in terms of their relationships with PTSD using data gathered from 157 Turkish survivors approximately two years after the earthquake. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses were utilized to test the strength of associations between PTSD and the following variables: level of exposure, age, gender, types of emotion regulation (suppression and reappraisal), rumination, and meta-mood traits (clarity in discriminating feelings, attention to feelings and mood repair). Level of exposure, suppression, rumination, clarity in discriminating feelings and mood repair are found to be related to the development of PTSD. Results are discussed in light of the existing literature, and limitations and directions for future studies are drawn. _____
Title: Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) program for children. Author(s): Odio, Francine, Carlos Albizu U., US Source: Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences & Engineering, Vol 64(8-B), 2004. pp. 4055. Publisher: US: Univ Microfilms International Abstract: Children in our society are exposed to a great magnitude of stressors and incidents that can result in psychological trauma. Stressors shown to have a high likelihood of producing trauma include: natural disasters, loss of significant attachment figures, sexual abuse, accidents, and community or family violence (Keane, 1996). As a result, anxiety disorders, including PTSD, are one of the most common illnesses in the United States (Breslau, Davis, Andreski, & Peterson, 1991; Van der Kolk, 1996; NIMH, 2001). Significant funds are spent each year in related efforts and in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Outcome studies show that early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are cost effective (Lownstein, 1994). Child and adolescent exposure to traumatic events such as criminal victimization, serious accidents, and disasters in the United States occur in a sizable percentage of young people (Saigh & Bremner, 1999). However, few programs exist that focus directly on working with and treating children and adolescents who suffer from PTSD and the psychological sequelae that accompanies the disorder. Moreover, access to care is often limited. This paper developed a program suitable for children exposed to trauma who have developed psychological problems and who are otherwise unable to receive treatment services. The program proposed, uses a mobile treatment center to provide services using the Traumatic Incident Reduction technique (TIR). Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) is a brief, one-on-one, person centered, simple and highly structured method for permanently eliminating the negative effects of past traumas. TIR has been found in many cases to result in the complete and permanent elimination of PTSD symptomology (Bisbey & Bisbey, 1998; Valentine, 1995; Valentine & Smith, 1998; Valentine & Smith, 2001). This dissertation suggests the use of TIR as an effective technique in the treatment of child and adolescent Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with the identified population. Moreover, this agenda is in line with the Surgeon General's stance and focus toward children's mental health needs. _____
Title: Cumulative traumatic exposure: Mental health professionals' experience responding to the September 11th terrorist attack. Author(s): Moore, Tara Marie, U Connecticut, US Source: Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences & Engineering, Vol 64(12-B), 2004. pp. 6313. Publisher: US: Univ Microfilms International Abstract: Mental health professionals responding to the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center experienced the multi-dimensional nature of the trauma on multiple levels. 9/11 exposed them to the magnitude of the trauma on a personal level with their own personal reactions to the disaster and on a professional level as they witnessed and internalized the profound suffering of those whom they were helping. Embodying both a victim and helper, their multiple exposures to the trauma accumulated, exponentially increasing the intensity of the trauma and their resulting traumatic stress reactions. Out of this emergent theme, this study identifies and defines a newly conceptualized characterization of the experience of trauma and trauma response as cumulative traumatic exposure. Cumulative traumatic exposure describes the accumulation of multiple, personal, and professional exposures to the multiple dimensions of a traumatic incident, such as duration, proximity, intensity of victim's reactions, elapsed time between the original incident and the responder's response to it, real or perceived connections with victims, etc. The purpose of this research was to gain an understanding of the essence of mental health professionals' experience responding to 9/11 in an effort to contribute to and extend the existing body of knowledge of trauma response, which mostly focuses on the victims of trauma with little attention on the responders. Using phenomenological design and naturalistic inquiry allowed for the multiple, constructed, and holistic realities of the individual participants to emerge. Out of their realities emerged the essential structures of meaning, or themes, that define their experience responding to 9/11. This research provides a basic but intimate, rich, thick description of these mental health professionals' experience responding to 9/11 that will assist in forming a more complete understanding of the essence of their's and other responders' experience responding to 9/11 and thus, may guide in preparation for and research of future man-made and natural disasters, both nationally and internationally. Implications for future research include issues of pre-incident training and preparedness, screening, the impact of supervision, transitioning back to regular routine post-response, and recovery. _____
Title: Helping children cope with disasters and terrorism. Author(s): Newman, Martin Source: Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, Vol 45(1), Jan 2004. pp. 172. Publisher: United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing Reviewed Item: Annette M. La Greca, Wendy K. Silverman, Eric M. Vernberg, & Michael C. Roberts (2002). Helping children cope with disasters and terrorism; American Psychological Association, Washington DC, pp. 446 ISBN: 1-55798-914-1 Abstract: The reviewer explains that this book (A. M. La Grecia, W. K. Silverman, E. M. Vernbert and M. C. Roberts [Eds], 2002; see record 2002-01675-000) is a timely and welcome addition to the literature on disasters, terrorism and war. The first section of the book considers conceptual and practical issues when discussing children's reactions to disasters, and includes PTSD and other post-disaster reactions, such as depression, anxiety, grief and bereavement. The second part of the book considers the effects of various natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, fires), whilst the third and fourth sections look at human-made and technological catastrophes (including road traffic accidents, nuclear accidents, and mass transportation disasters) and at the consequences of violence in society (shootings, hostage-taking, terrorism and war). The reviewer concludes that in short, the book is packed with information and is recommended as a useful resource, for both individuals and libraries. _____
Title: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a result of mass trauma. Author(s): Shalev, Arieh Y., Center for Traumatic Stress, Kiryat Hadassah, Israel, ashalev@cc.huji.ac.il; Tuval-Mashiach, Rivka, Center for Traumatic Stress, Kiryat Hadassah, Israel; Hadar, Hilit, Center for Traumatic Stress, Kiryat Hadassah, Israel Address: Shalev, Arieh Y., Center for Traumatic Stress, Kiryat Hadassah, P.O. Box 12000, IL 91120, Jerusalem, Israel, ashalev@cc.huji.ac.il Source: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, Vol 65(Suppl1), 2004. Special issue: Update on posttraumatic stress disorder. pp. 4-10. Publisher: US: Physicians Postgraduate Press Abstract: There are few studies of the acute and long-term effects of mass trauma on victimized communities. Acute stress reactions are expected, and overall resilience in the aftermath of major disasters is the rule rather than the exception. However, the available literature on mass trauma suggests that certain factors may provide clues to identifying persons at greater risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The severity of the trauma and the accessibility of support systems may affect longterm outcome. In industrialized countries, mass violence caused by malicious human intent may be a more virulent precursor to PTSD than other types of mass trauma, such as natural disasters. School-aged children, women, persons with existing psychiatric illness, those who experienced significant losses or threat to life, those who have insufficient psychological and social support systems, and persons who exhibit symptoms of functional impairment may be at greater risk for PTSD. The findings of a population study of 2 traumatized communities are discussed. Early intervention in communities suffering mass trauma should consist of general support and bolstering of the recovery environment rather than psychological treatment; some forms of early psychological interventions may worsen outcome. _____
Title: Trauma and temperament as predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and its dimensions 3, 15 months and two years after experiencing flood. Author(s): Strelau, Jan, Warsaw School of Social Psychology, Warszawa, Poland, jan.strelau@swps.edu.pl; Zawadzki, Bogdan, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland, bogdan@engram.psych.uw.edu.pl Address: Strelau, Jan, Faculty of Psychology, Warsaw School of Social Psychology, ul. Chodakowska 19/31, 03-815, Warszawa, Poland, jan.strelau@swps.edu.pl Source: Polish Psychological Bulletin, Vol 35(1), 2004. pp. 5-13. Publisher: Poland: Blackhorse Publishing Abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of temperament and trauma considered as predictors of PTSD experienced under flood. Two samples were studied. In the first one composed of 384 subjects PTSD was assessed three and 15 months (N=321) after flood. In the second sample (N=378) PTSD was assessed two years after disaster and retrospectively few weeks after flood. For measuring PTSD the PTSD-Factorial Version Inventory constructed by the authors was administered. Apart from a total score the PTSD-F allows for assessing intrusion/hyperarousal (I/H) and avoidance/numbing (A/N). Three temperamental traits were selected for the purpose of this study--emotional reactivity, briskness and perseveration measured by the Formal Characteristics of Behavior-Temperament Inventory. Intensity of trauma was assessed via structured interview. For analyzing the data coefficients of correlation and hierarchical regression were introduced. It came out that the impact of temperament and trauma as predictors of PTSD is stronger for long-term PTSD. Several interactions between trauma and temperament were obtained. Trauma and emotional reactivity are the best predictors and this refers to the total score of PTSD as well as to the two basic factors-I/H and A/N. _____
Title: After disasters, what about the children? Author(s): Vogel, Juliet M., Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology, at Schneider Children's Hospital, New Hyde Park, NY, US Source: PsycCRITIQUES, 2004. pp. [np]. Publisher: US: American Psychological Assn Reviewed Item: Conway F. Saylor (Ed.) (1993). Children and Disasters; New York: Plenum, 1993. 237 pp. Abstract: Originally published in Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books, 1995, Vol 40(4), 319-320. Reviews the book "Children and Disasters" edited by Conway F. Saylor (covered in its original form in record 1993-98205-000). Saylor's stated goal is to provide the summary of psychological wisdom and data she needed when facing the devastation of Hurricane Hugo in the fall of 1989. The major disasters of the past five years underscore the importance of this volume. Saylor's Introduction is an excellent summary of practical and ethical issues that disasters present to mental health providers and researchers concerned with children. She appropriately places children's disaster responses in the context of multiple systems including families, schools, and communities. In summary, this volume provides a useful introduction to an important, rapidly developing area. The chapters include some outstanding contributions. As is often the case with edited works, this book would have benefited from more integration across chapters. In particular, one might wish for synthesis concerning variables to evaluate following disasters and research conclusions across types of disasters. _____
Title: Our Places to Stand May Yet Move the Earth. Author(s): Blank, Michael B., University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, US; Eisenberg, Marlene M., University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, US Source: PsycCRITIQUES, 2004. pp. [np]. Publisher: US: American Psychological Assn Reviewed Item: Stevan E. Hobfoll and Marten W. de Vries (Eds.) (1995). Extreme Stress and Communities: Impact and Intervention; Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic, 1995. 535 pp. Abstract: Originally published in Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books, 1997, Vol 42(1), 46-48. Review of Extreme Stress and Communities: Impact and Intervention edited by Stevan E. Hobfoll and Marten W. de Vries Intervention (see record 1995-98314-000). Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the volume is that Hobfoll and de Vries attempt to take a social ecological perspective, developed largely within community psychology, and apply it to some of the world's most pressing problems. This attempt is an unbalanced one, in which some of the papers adopt a social ecological perspective, and others remain more traditionally clinical, adopting an individual perspective without the perspective of community psychology. This is understandable, because many of the international contributors may not have previously been exposed to applications of community psychology. However, this volume represents an excellent example of how principles from community psychology might be used to actually begin to make a difference in communities and nations. Section include information on general principles of social ecology and how they have been applied to understanding stress and functioning of communities as they respond to disasters and trauma. The second section is devoted to basic stress concepts and their potential application to widespread community stress. In the next section, Hobfoll, Briggs, and Wells apply the conservation of resources (COR) theory to community-level stress and coping using the Lucasville Prison uprising as an illustration. Concepts and methods developed earlier in the book are applied to community stress for the purpose of preventive intervention and treatment after the occurrence of a disaster. Another section focuses on examining long-term effects of community stress and repeatedly emphasizes the importance of carefully designed longitudinal research. This volume concludes with a section devoted to efforts at prevention and intervention in communities with extreme stress and trauma. The authors urge mental health professionals to move from an individual- to a community-level of analysis in dealing with extreme stress such as war and natural disasters. _____
Title: Childhood Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Diagnosis, Treatment, and School Reintegration. Author(s): Cook-Cottone, Catherine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Department of Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology, Buffalo, NY, US, cpcook@buffalo.edu Address: Cook-Cottone, Catherine, Department of Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology, SUNY at Buffalo, 409 Baldy Hall, Buffalo, NY, US, cpcook@buffalo.edu Source: School Psychology Review, Vol 33(1), 2004. pp. 127-139. Publisher: US: National Assn of School Psychologists Abstract: Childhood, in our culture, does not preclude exposure to trauma. Sexual abuse, physical abuse, natural disaster, urban violence, school violence, and terrorism result in significant numbers of children with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology. Many factors contribute to symptomatic expression, with some children showing few effects and others being unable to return to school. School psychologists should have a basic understanding of the impairing effects of PTSD, assessment tools, treatment options, and school reintegration planning. Specifically, this article explicates the prevalence and etiological factors related to PTSD. Assessment tools, therapeutic techniques, and school reintegration are discussed. _____
Title: Disaster nursing and emergency preparedness for chemical, biological, and radiological terrorism and other hazards. Author(s): Wodarski, John S., College of Social Work, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, US Source: Stress, Trauma, and Crisis: An International Journal, Vol 7(2), 2004. pp. 133-134. Publisher: United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Reviewed Item: Tener Goodwin Veenema (Ed.) (2003). Disaster nursing and emergency preparedness for chemical, biological, and radiological terrorism and other hazards; New York: Springer, 2003, Abstract: Reviews the book "Disaster Nursing and Emergency Preparedness for Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Terrorism and Other Hazards," edited by Tener Goodwin Veenema. This book discusses the importance of disasters, both natural and those perpetuated against society as a public health problem. The considerable body of knowledge and experience that has accumulated over the last decade allows us to apply the lessons learned in the management of each new incident. Three criteria were used in reviewing this text. First, the text is extraordinary in its coverage of emergency preparedness issues. The authors do an excellent job in portraying the scope and magnitude of the problem and implications for disaster preparedness, or lack thereof. There is no other text available on disaster nursing, and this one fills the void. Second, the text is intended to be appropriate for the field of nursing, but others equally likely to benefit include hospital, community, state and national health and medical emergency managers, criminal justice personnel and human services workers. Third, the text is very reader friendly. The writing style is consistently good and information is readily comprehensible. The numerous, timely references and websites allow the reader to locate additional information on the wide array of topics presented. _____
Title: Bin Dokuz Yüz Doksan Dokuz Marmara Depremi Sonrasi Posttravmatik Stres Belirtilerinin Siddetini Belirleyen Risk Faktörleri: Kesitsel Saha Çalismasi. Translated Title: Evaluation of the Risk Factors for the Development of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in the Survivors of the 1999 Earthquake in Marmara: A Cross-Sectional Field Survey. Author(s): Yargiç, Ilhan, Istanbul Üniversitesi, Istanbul Tip Fakültesi Hastanesi, Psikiyatri Anabilim Dali, Istanbul, Turkey, ilhanyargic@yahoo.com; Geyran, Pakize, Bakirköy Ruh Sagligi ve Sinir Hastaliklan Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi, Ruhsal Travma Tedavi Merkezi, Istanbul, Turkey; Kocabasoglu, Nese, Istanbul Üniversitesi, Cerrahpasa Tip Fakültesi Hastanesi, Psikiyatri Anabilim Dali, Istanbul, Turkey; Çorapçioglu, Aytül, Kocaeli Üniversitesi, Tip Fakültesi Hastanesi, Psikiyatri Anabilim Dali, IzmitKocaeli Üniversitesi, Tip Fakültesi Hastanesi, Psikiyatri Anabilim Dali, Izmit, Turkey Address: Yargiç, Ilhan, Istanbul Universitesi, Istanbul Tip Fakultesi Hastanesi, Psikiyatri Anabilim Dali, Capa, 34390, Istanbul, Turkey, ilhanyargic@yahoo.com Source: Yeni Symposium, Vol 42(1), Jan 2004. pp. 3-8. Publisher: Turkey: Cerrahpasa Tip Fakultesi Psikiyatri Klinigi Vakfi Abstract: Objective: This study evaluates posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptom severity and associated risk factors among survivors of the 1989 Marmara Earthquake in Turkey. Method: People [n=144, men 60%, mean age: 33 years (17-65)], living in prefabricated houses in Kocaeli region were assessed using PDE-Q, DIS-Q and IES-R. Sociodemographic variables related with pretraumatic individual characteristics were collected. The participants completed Disaster Severity Questionnaire consisting of questions on subjective emotional feelings, objective experiences, and postdisaster adversities during the earthquake. ES-R was the outcome variable in stepwise linear regression model. Pre-trauma variables, trauma related variables and scale scores were studied in three different models. The significant variables were included into the final mode. Results: It was defined that age (B=0.216, p=0.049), female gender (B=6.974, p=0.011), intense fear, during the earthquake (B=7.886, p=0.008), and scores of PDE-Q (B=0.636, p=0.001) and DES-Q (B=0.106, p=0.001) and increase in smoking (B=6.735, p=0.009), correlated with IES-R score. Multiple R of this final model was 0.746. Discussion and Conclusion: Major predictors of IES score were age, female gender, intense fear experience during the earthquake and scores of PDE-Q and DIS-Q. _____
Title: Personality-guided therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. Series Title: Personality-guided psychology Author(s): Everly, George S. Jr., Loyola College, MD, US Lating, Jeffrey M., Loyola College, MD, US Source: Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association, 2004. xiii, 267 pp. Abstract: (from the jacket) In Personality-Guided Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, George S. Everly, Jr. and Jeffrey M. Lating shed light on the role personality factors play in the genesis and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). With psychologically toxic events like airplane hijackings, terrorist acts, community violence, and natural disasters--an unfortunate reality in today's world--posttraumatic stress may be viewed as posing a public health challenge. Using Theodore Millon's personality-guided psychology as a framework, the authors provide insight into this challenging disorder. They discuss personality factors that can help protect against stress or increase vulnerability to stress. They explore the biological foundations of PTSD and offer practical guidance on how to assess for PTSD, how to incorporate an understanding of personality in the formation of the therapeutic alliance and in other aspects of intervention, and how to resolve trauma. _____
Title: Understanding PTSD: forgetting "trauma". Author(s): Ehrenreich, John H., Department of Psychology, State University of New York, College at Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, US, ehrenreichj@oldwestbury.edu Address: Ehrenreich, John H., Department of Psychology, State University of New York, College at Old Westbury, Box 210, Old Westbury, NY, US, ehrenreichj@oldwestbury.edu Source: Analyses of Social Issues & Public Policy (ASAP), Vol 3(1), Dec 2003. pp. 15-28. Publisher: United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing Abstract: The concept of "psychological trauma" conflates emotional responses to traumatic events such as motor vehicle accidents, muggings, and house fires, responses to natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and responses to war, chronic physical abuse, prolonged torture, and repeated gang-rape as an act of "ethnic cleansing." It is argued that, from a psychological, human, and moral perspective, use of a single construct to describe responses to such a range of horrific happenings makes no sense. The benefits and limits of conceptualizing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a unifying concept for describing psychological responses to calamitous events are discussed. The consequences (with respect to clinical work, research, and social policy) of failing to distinguish between responses to relatively circumscribed traumatic events, more extreme, prolonged, or repeated individual traumatization, and collectively experienced mass violence against entire communities are examined. _____
Title: Posttraumatic stress reactions among children following the Athens earthquake of September 1999. Author(s): Kolaitis, G., Athens University Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Athens, Greece, itsianti@cc.uoa.gr; Kotsopoulos, J., University of Toronto, The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Dept. of Human Development & Applied Psychology, Toronto, ON, Canada; Tsiantis, J., Athens University Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Athens, Greece; Haritaki, S., Athens University Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Athens, Greece; Rigizou, F., Athens University Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Athens, Greece; Zacharaki, L., Athens University Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Athens, Greece; Riga, E., Athens University Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Athens, Greece; Augoustatou, A., Athens University Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Athens, Greece; Bimbou, A., Athens University Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Athens, Greece; Kanari, N., Athens University Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Athens, Greece; Liakopoulou, M., Athens University Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Athens, Greece; Katerelos, P., Athens University Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Athens, Greece Address: Kolaitis, G., Dept. of Child Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Thivon & Levadias Str. 115, 27, Athens, Greece, itsianti@cc.uoa.gr Source: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Vol 12(6), Dec 2003. pp. 273-280. Publisher: Germany: Dietrich Steinkopff Verlag Abstract: The objective of the present study was to assess symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety among children 6 months after they had been exposed to an earthquake (EQ) affecting the northwestern suburbs of Athens in September 1999. A total of 115 children attending two elementary schools located at the epicentre of the EQ were assessed. A group of 48 children not affected by the EQ attending a school not affected by the EQ were used as controls. The children and their parents completed a number of questionnaires. Overall, there was a high rate (78%) of severe to mild PTSD symptoms in the EQ exposed group. Additionally, a substantial proportion of these children scored above criteria (32%) for depression compared to the control group (12.5%). Severe or moderate symptoms of PTSD were associated with high scores of depression. Those who were most likely to be affected were children alone at the time of the EQ, and children who sustained injuries. In summary, countries where EQs are frequent should be prepared to offer psychological support to a substantial proportion of children presenting with PTSD and depressive symptoms and should educate and prepare children to cope with these events. _____
Title: The psychological effects of parental mental health on children experiencing disaster: The experience of Bolu earthquake in Turkey. Author(s): Kiliç, Emine Zinnur, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Department of Child Psychiatry, Ankara, Turkey; Özgüven, Halise Devrimci, Ankara University, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Ankara, Turkey; Sayil, Iaik, Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Ankara, Turkey Source: Family Process, Vol 42(4), Win 2003. pp. 485-495. Publisher: US: Family Process Abstract: Disasters affect families as a whole, and symptoms displayed by a family member may lead to secondary traumatizations for other members of the family, especially the children. This study examines the effects of parental psychopathology and family functioning on children's psychological problems six months after the earthquake in Bolu, Turkey. Forty-nine children aged between 7 and 14 and their parents were assessed by trained psychiatrists and psychologists using self-report measures for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety symptoms six months after the earthquake. Severity of PTSD in children was mainly affected by the presence of PTSD and the severity of depression in the father. State and trait anxiety scores of children were related to general family functioning. The constellation of PTSD symptomatology was different in fathers than in mothers: the most common type of symptoms was "externalizing" in fathers with PTSD. This study supports the notion that the mere presence of PTSD in parents may not be enough to explain the relational process in families experiencing trauma. Our findings with earthquake survivors suggest that when fathers become more irritable and detached because of PTSD symptoms, their symptoms may affect children more significantly. _____
Title: Psychological effects of the November 1999 earthquake in Turkey: An epidemiological study. Author(s): Kiliç, C., Department of Psychiatry, Bas _____
Title: Trauma intervention programme: A psychotherapeutic approach. Author(s): Olowu, Sola, Department of Psychology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-lfe, Nigeria Source: IFE Psychologia: An International Journal, Vol 11(3), 2003. pp. 72-86. Publisher: Nigeria: IFE Ctr for Psychological Studies Abstract: The article presents information on the trauma intervention programme. Medically meaning of a trauma is an injury or an emotional shock. It is from a Greek word meaning wound. In this project we believe that anyone that is wounded needs some psychological intervention. Intervention means to step in, in order to solve, settle, correct and so on. Exposure to sudden, prolonged or repeated experiences of a life threatening nature may result in deep emotional wounding, or psychological trauma, for victims and witnesses. Such emotional injury often includes feelings of intense rage and powerlessness. The scenes and images of violence become permanently imprinted in the psyche, along with associated feelings of terror and anguish. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition which results from exposure to a traumatic experience that exceeds a person's ability to respond or cope effectively. Symptoms associated with PTSD include flashbacks in which the victim repeatedly re-experiences the event in his or her mind, a numbing of responsiveness and an avoidance of situations associated with life trauma, and a tendency to overreact to loud noises or quick moments. Among those at risk for PTSD, are political refugees, torture victims, combat veterans and survivors of rape, alcoholic homes, assault victims, domestic violence, war and natural disasters. _____
Title: Emotional crises in the workplace. Author(s): Heidel, Stephen H., Integrated Insights, US Source: Mental health and productivity in the workplace: A handbook for organizations and clinicians. Kahn, Jeffrey P. (Ed); Langlieb, Alan M. (Ed); pp. 297-313. San Francisco, CA, US: Jossey-Bass, 2003. xxi, 618 pp. Abstract: (from the chapter) Emotional crises in the workplace may occur due to disasters, emotionally traumatic events at the work site, and psychiatric emergencies, including substance abuse, suicidal behavior, and acute psychotic illness. Crises may be caused by natural or human events, problems in the workplace, or employees' emotional problems. These disruptions have a dramatic impact on individual employees and work groups. Organizations should develop appropriate policies and procedures, and should have an inventory of internal and external resources available before an emergency occurs. _____
Title: A Psychodramatic Approach to Earthquake Trauma. Author(s): Altinay, Deniz, Istanbul Psychodrama Institute, Istanbul, Turkey Source: Psychodrama in the 21st Century: Clinical and Educational Applications. Gershoni, Jacob (Ed); pp. 167-173. New York, NY, US: Springer Publishing Co, 2003. xxi, 290 pp. Abstract: (from the chapter) Just before the start of the 21st century, Turkey was struck by the most devastating earthquake in the country's recent history. The tremor's strength and its close proximity to Istanbul and its surroundings, the country's most densely populated region, created a human disaster: About 30,000 people died, and another 100,000 lost their homes. Waves of aftershocks that lasted for months, and uncertainty about when it would all end, caused a nationwide emotional turmoil of huge proportions. Trauma is defined as "any life-threatening, emotionally overwhelming catastrophe that breaks through a person's ordinary coping mechanisms..." Moreno's theory for treatment of trauma is based on the triadic system. Sociodrama, a method that addresses group issues, is derived from sociometry, a concept that refers to healing of communities and larger societies. Psychodrama, on the other hand, addresses the mental health of the individual. At the Istanbul Psychodrama Institute, we helped people to cope with their traumatic experiences during that fateful period. This chapter is a narrative of some of our socio- and psychodramatic interventions, as well as a model for mental preparation to prevent trauma that we initially developed for companies and large organizations and later adapted for individuals. _____
Title: Quick Trauma Assessment with Sefa Bulut Children-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Screening Survey: After a Natural Disaster in Different Groups in Two Different Countries. Author(s): Sefa, Bulut, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey, sefabulut22@yahoo.com; Solmaz, Bulut, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, US Address: Sefa, Bulut, A.I.B.U. Egitim Fakultesi, PDR Bolumu, Golkoy, Bolu, Turkey, sefabulut22@yahoo.com Source: Tohoku Psychologica Folia, Vol 62, 2003. pp. 13-23. Publisher: Japan: Tohoku Univ Abstract: There is a growing awareness in the area of natural disasters effects on children's mental health. The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) to develop a posttraumatic stress reaction screening instrument, 2 to assess the posttraumatic stress disorder through the Sefa Bulut Children-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Screening Survey (SBC-PTSDSS) in order to examine the effectiveness of the survey. The participants of this study were 4-super(th) and 5-super(th) grade elementary school children who have been exposed to the tornado in Oklahoma, the United States and children who experienced the earthquakes in Turkey. Data were collected from severely hit and moderately hit areas of the two countries 11 months later after the tornado and earthquakes through the same scale. Frequency and Percentages were calculated as item analysis. In addition, data were analyzed with a one-way ANOVA. Tukey pair-wise comparisons revealed a significant difference between Turkish and American children F (1-264)=24.41, P(.01) but not between the high and low impact groups within each setting (M=18.14, M=19.14 vs. M=8.63, M=9.25). _____
Title: Trauma and psychosocial aftermath among high- and low-exposure adults three months post the 921 Chi-Chi earthquake in Taiwan. Author(s): Chen, Sue-Huei, National Taiwan U, Dept of Psychology, Taiwan, shchen@ccms.ntu.edu.tw; Hung, Fu-Chien, National Taiwan U, Dept of Psychology, Taiwan; Lin, Yaw-Sheng, Kaohsiung Medical U, Dept of Psychology, Taiwan; Tseng, Hsu-Min, Chang Gung U, Dept of Healthcare Management, Taiwan Address: Chen, Sue-Huei, National Taiwan U, Dept of Psychology, Taipei, Taiwan, 106, shchen@ccms.ntu.edu.tw Source: Chinese Journal of Psychology, Vol 44(2), Dec 2002. pp. 167-188. Publisher: Taiwan: Chinese Psychological Assn Abstract: Examined the peri- and post-traumatic psychological responses and changes of physical and psychological health, outlook on life, and interpersonal relationships 3 mo after the devastating September 21, 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake among 2 groups of middle-aged adults in Taiwan. 197 adults from high-impact areas (mean age 46 yrs), and 117 adults (mean age 37 yrs) from Taipei, a low-impact area, were evaluated. Self-report measures included demographic and earthquake exposure information, the Peritraumatic Psychological Reaction Index (PPRI), the Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index (PTSRI), and the Psychosocial Change Questionnaire (PCQ). Results show that: 1) high-exposure adults manifested significantly more immediate and persistent posttraumatic psychological responses, and endorsed more negative reports concerning physical/psychological health and intimate/general interpersonal relationships; and 2) while previous trauma studies often reported more negative and pathology-toned behavioral manifestations, this study found both positive and negative changes among high-exposure adults after the disaster. Conference: International Workshop on Annual Commemoration of Chi-Chi Earthquake, Sep, 2000, Taipei, Taiwan _____
Title: Posttraumatic, dissociative and grief symptoms in Turkish children exposed to the 1999 earthquakes. Author(s): Laor, Nathaniel, Tel-Aviv U, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv Community Mental Health Ctr, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Wolmer, Leo, Tel-Aviv U, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv Community Mental Health Ctr, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Kora, Meltem, Marmara U, Istanbul, Turkey; Yucel, Deniz, Marmara U, Istanbul, Turkey; Spirman, Smadar, Municipality of Tel-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Yazgan, Yanki, Marmara U, Istanbul, Turkey Address: Laor, Nathaniel, Tel-Aviv U, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv Community Mental Health Ctr, 9 Hatzvi St., Tel-Aviv, Israel, 67197 Source: Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, Vol 190(12), Dec 2002. pp. 824-832. Publisher: US: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Abstract: Grief and dissociation after traumatic exposures are among the most important predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This article introduces the Traumatic Dissociation and Grief Scale (TDGS), a 23-item measure easily administered. The TDGS, the Child PTSD-Reaction Index (CPTSD-RI), and a questionnaire concerning risk factors related to the event were administered to 202 school-aged children who had been directly exposed to the 1999 earthquakes in Turkey and a nonexposed control group. Factor analysis of the TDGS yielded four factors: perceptual distortions, body-self distortions, irritability, and guilt and anhedonia. A moderate positive correlation was noted between the TDGS and the CPTSD-RI. Different sets of risk factors were associated with different scale factors. The results suggest that the assessment of psychopathology in children following a disaster requires the complementary evaluation of symptoms of posttrauma, dissociation, and grief. _____
Title: Disasters, psychiatry and psychodynamics. Author(s): Katz, Craig L., Disaster Psychiatry Outreach, New York, NY, US; Nathaniel, Roger, Disaster Psychiatry Outreach, New York, NY, US Source: Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis & Dynamic Psychiatry, Vol 30(4), Win 2002. pp. 519-529. Publisher: US: Guilford Publications Abstract: The unique experience of Disaster Psychiatry Outreach, a voluntary organization devoted to providing psychiatric assistance to people affected by disasters, provides a valuable substrate for exploring the role of psychodynamics in the human experience of disaster and trauma. This article offers a theoretical framework for such an experience that takes into account personal meaning, ego psychology and defenses, and grief work and suggests how to employ this framework in the setting of a disaster by way of examples from the events of September 11. A useful clinical construct for future disaster work known as the "trauma tent" is ultimately proposed, as are novel applications of psychodynamics toward the prevention and mitigation of manmade and natural disasters. _____
Title: Posttraumatic sequelae in a community hit by an avalanche. Author(s): Finnsdottir, Thorunn, Dept of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Landspítali, Iceland; Elklit, Ask, U Aarhus, Inst of Psychology, Denmark, aske@psy.au.dk Address: Finnsdottir, Thorunn, Dept of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Kópavogsbraut 5-7, 200 Kópavagur, Landspítali, Iceland Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol 15(6), Dec 2002. pp. 479-485. Publisher: Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers Abstract: The posttraumatic sequelae for 104 adult inhabitants (61 women and 43 men, mean age 37 yrs) from the town of Flateyri, Iceland, were studied 10 weeks after an avalanche hit the town killing 20 people. 87 adults (45 women and 42 men, mean age 42 yrs) from the neighboring town of Thingeyri constituted a control group. On the basis of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30), 25% of the Flateyri group (twice as many than in Thingeyri) reached a level of psychiatric caseness. The most common symptoms were intrusive thoughts and feelings, tension, sadness, and anxiety. The loss of family members was associated with symptomatology. A high number of former life events correlated more strongly with distress symptoms than with the individual appraisal of these events. Distress symptoms were related to gender, age, and education. _____
Title: The incidence of traumatic events and trauma-associated symptoms/experience amongst tertiary students. Author(s): Hoffmann, Willem A., Technikon Pretoria, Dept of Biomedical Sciences, Pretoria, South Africa, braam@techpta.ac.za Source: South African Journal of Psychology, Vol 32(4), Dec 2002. pp. 48-53. Publisher: South Africa: Psychological Society of South Africa Abstract: Few epidemiological studies of traumatic events amongst tertiary students have been conducted in South Africa. The aims of this study were to quantify the number of traumatic events experienced by Technikon Pretoria students in the preceeding year and to record the types of trauma symptoms experienced as a result of these traumatic events. The incidence of 10 traumatic event categories have been measured by means of the Traumatic Stress Schedule in a convenience sample (N=245). The sample consisted of females (N=183) and males (N=61). It was found that more than two thirds (70,6%) of the sample reported one or more traumatic events during the preceeding year, with the most frequent traumatic event categories being the death of a loved one, negative change in life circumstances and witness to injury/death. The least frequent traumatic event categories were natural disasters and motor vehicle accidents. Females reported a significantly higher incidence of unwanted sexual activity than males. Intrusive thoughts, particularly amongst female students, was the most frequent symptom associated with 8 of the 10 traumatic event categories, while physical injuries was the least frequent symptom associated with all the traumatic event categories. _____
Title: Untangling the psychiatric comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder in a sample of flood survivors. Author(s): McMillen, Curtis, Washington U, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, St Louis, MO, US; North, Carol, Washington U, St Louis, MO, US; Mosley, Muriel, Washington U, St Louis, MO, US; Smith, Elizabeth, Washington U, St Louis, MO, US Address: McMillen, Curtis, Washington U, Campus Box 1196, St Louis, MO, US Source: Comprehensive Psychiatry, Vol 43(6), Nov-Dec 2002. pp. 478-485. Publisher: Netherlands: Elsevier Science Abstract: Examined multiple explanations for the high rates of psychiatric comorbidity seen with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 162 St. Louis area survivors (mean age 49.5 yrs) of the 1993 Great Midwest Floods were interviewed a few months after the flood subsided using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule and its Disaster Supplement to assess psychiatric history (PH) relative to PTSD and 5 other psychiatric disorders. 35 subjects (Ss) met criteria for PTSD related to the flood. PTSD was frequently comorbid with other disorders. 17 Ss developed a new, non-PTSD psychiatric disorder after the flood. New non-PTSD disorders were rare in the absence of PTSD symptoms. Though prior PH was predictive of developing PTSD, no support was found that prior PH contributed to PTSD through social vulnerability. Thus, support was found for a model in which PTSD contributes to the development of other disorders following trauma, whereas no evidence was found to suggest that comorbid disorders develop independently of PTSD following trauma, or that comorbidity was due to symptom overlap among disorders. The lack of support for models in which psychosocial resources mediate the effect of PH on the development of PTSD indirectly confirms models of physiological vulnerability to PTSD development. _____
Title: Traumatic stress responses in earthquake survivors in Turkey. Author(s): Basoglu, Metin, U London, King's Coll London, Inst of Psychiatry, Div of Psychological Medicine, Section of Trauma Studies, London, United Kingdom, m.basoglu@iop.kcl.ac.uk; SalcIoglu, Ebru, U London, King's Coll London, Inst of Psychiatry, Div of Psychological Medicine, Section of Trauma Studies, London, United Kingdom; Livanou, Maria, U London, King's Coll London, Inst of Psychiatry, Div of Psychological Medicine, Section of Trauma Studies, London, United Kingdom Address: Basoglu, Metin, U London, King's Coll London, Inst of Psychiatry, Div of Psychological Medicine, Section of Trauma Studies, 38 Carver Road, SE24 9LT, London, United Kingdom, m.basoglu@iop.kcl.ac.uk Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol 15(4), Oct 2002. pp. 269-276. Publisher: Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers Abstract: This study examined the rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression and associated risk factors in earthquake survivors in Turkey. A group of 1,000 people (mean age 34.47 yrs) from 3 camps and 2 prefabricated housing sites in the epicenter region was assessed using the Screening Instrument for Traumatic Stress in Earthquake Survivors. Results indicate that the estimated rates of PTSD and major depression were 43 and 31%, respectively. Traumatic stress symptoms related to more intense fear during the earthquake, female gender, having been trapped under rubble, death of a family member, past psychiatric illness, having participated in rescue work, and lower education. Avoidance of trauma reminders was the most common symptom, and, the authors conclude, needs special attention in survivor care because of its mental health, social, and economic implications. _____
Title: Hurricane Georges: A cross-national study examining preparedness, resource loss, and psychological distress in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and the United States. Author(s): Sattler, David N., Western Washington U, Dept of Psychology, Ctr for Cross-Cultural Research, Bellingham, WA, US, david.sattler@wwu.edu; Preston, Andrew J., Coll of Charleston, Dept of Psychology, Charleston, SC, US; Kaiser, Charles F., Coll of Charleston, Dept of Psychology, Charleston, SC, US; Olivera, Vivian E., U Puerto Rico, Dept of Psychology, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Valdez, Juan, U APEC, School of Languages, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Schlueter, Shannon, Coll of Charleston, Dept of Hispanic Studies, Charleston, SC, US Address: Sattler, David N., Western Washington U, Dept of Psychology, Ctr for Cross-Cultural Research, MS-9089, Bellingham, WA, US, david.sattler@wwu.edu Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol 15(5), Oct 2002. pp. 339-350. Publisher: Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers Abstract: This cross-national study examined preparation for and psychological functioning following Hurricane Georges in the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and the US. Four to 5 wks after the storm made landfall, 697 college students (222 men, 476 women; aged 18-61 yrs) completed a questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, preparation, social support, resource loss, and symptoms associated with acute stress disorder. Location, resource loss (especially personal characteristic resources) and social support accounted for a significant portion of psychological distress variance. The findings support the conservation of resources stress theory (S. E. Hobfoll, 1989, 1998). Implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed. Conference: Annual meeting of the American Psychological Society, Jun, 1999, Denver, CO, US _____
Title: "Childhood posttraumatic stress disorder and efforts to cope after Hurricane Floyd": Errata. Author(s): Russoniello, Carmen V., East Carolina U, Dept of Recreation & Leisure Studies, Greenville, NC, US, russonielloc@mail.ecu.edu; Skalko, Thomas K., East Carolina U, Dept of Recreation & Leisure Studies, Greenville, NC, US; O'Brien, Kevin, East Carolina U, School of Allied Health, Greenville, NC, US; McGhee, Susan A., East Carolina U, Dept of Recreation & Leisure Studies, Greenville, NC, US; Bingham-Alexander, Dana, Patillo A+ Elementary School, Tarboro, NC, US; Beatley, Jennifer, Pitt County Mental Health Ctr, Greenville, NC, US Address: Russoniello, Carmen V., East Carolina U, Psychophysiology & Biofeedback Lab, 115 Christenbury, Greenville, NC, US, russonielloc@mail.ecu.edu Source: Behavioral Medicine, Vol 28(3), Fal 2002. pp. 91. Publisher: US: Heldref Publications Abstract: Reports an error in the original article by C. V. Russoniello et al (Behavioral Medicine, 2002[Sum], Vol 28[2], 61-70). Three lines were inadvertently dropped from Table 3 (page 66). (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 2003-01552-006.) The authors report on the level of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced by fourth-grade children 6 months after Hurricane Floyd and describe the children's efforts to cope with their stress. All of the children (aged 9-12 yrs) they studied were directly affected by the hurricane, secondary to the destruction of their school by floodwaters. The homes of 37% of these children were also flooded. Ninety-five percent of the children experienced at least mild symptoms of PTSD, and 71% had symptoms that were moderate to very severe. Children who reported that their homes were flooded were 3 times more likely to report symptoms than those whose homes were not flooded, and the girls were twice as likely as the boys to report symptoms. The high PTSD prevalence rates are comparable to findings from other studies involving violence in which 94% of the victims reported experiencing symptoms. For further analyses, the authors used symptom clusters of hyperarousal, numbing/avoidance, and reexperiencing symptoms. _____
Title: Placing age differences in cultural context: A comparison of the effects of age on PTSD after disasters in the United States, Mexico, and Poland. Author(s): Norris, Fran H., Georgia State U, Dept of Psychology, Atlanta, GA, US, fnorris@gsu.edu; Kaniasty, Krzysztof, Indiana U of Pennsylvania, Dept of Psychology, Indiana, PA, US, kaniasty@iup.edu; Conrad, M. Lori, Georgia State U, Dept of Psychology, Atlanta, GA, US; Inman, Gregory L., Georgia State U, Dept of Psychology, Atlanta, GA, US; Murphy, Arthur D., Georgia State U, Dept of Psychology, Atlanta, GA, US Source: Journal of Clinical Geropsychology, Vol 8(3), Jul 2002. Special issue: Traumatic exposure and PTSD in older adults. pp. 153-173. Publisher: US: Kluwer Academic Abstract: Criterion symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were measured 6-12 months after Hurricane Andrew in the United States (non-Hispanic n = 270), Hurricane Paulina in Mexico (n = 200), and the 1997 flood in Poland (n = 285), using English, Spanish, and Polish versions of the Revised Civilian Mississippi Scale. The samples ranged in age from 18-88 yrs. Linear and quadratic effects of age were tested by using hierarchical multiple regression, with the effects of gender, trauma, and education controlled. Among Americans, age had a curvilinear relation with PTSD such that middle-aged respondents were most distressed. Among Mexicans, age had a linear and negative relation with PTSD such that younger people were most distressed. Among Poles, age had a linear and positive relation with PTSD such that older people were most distressed. Thus, there was no one consistent effect of age; rather, it depended upon the social, economic, cultural, and historical context of the disaster-stricken setting. _____
Title: Childhood posttraumatic stress disorder and efforts to cope after Hurricane Floyd. Author(s): Russoniello, Carmen V., East Carolina U, Dept of Recreation & Leisure Studies, Greenville, NC, US, russonielloc@mail.ecu.edu; Skalko, Thomas K., East Carolina U, Dept of Recreation & Leisure Studies, Greenville, NC, US; O'Brien, Kevin, East Carolina U, School of Allied Health, Greenville, NC, US; McGhee, Susan A., East Carolina U, Dept of Recreation & Leisure Studies, Greenville, NC, US; Bingham-Alexander, Dana, Pattillo A+ Elementary School, Tarboro, NC, US; Beatley, Jennifer, Pitt County Mental Health Ctr, Greenville, NC, US Address: Russoniello, Carmen V., East Carolina U, Psychophysiology & Biofeedback Lab, 115 Christenbury, Greenville, NC, US, russonielloc@mail.ecu.edu Source: Behavioral Medicine, Vol 28(2), Sum 2002. pp. 61-70. Publisher: US: Heldref Publications Abstract: The authors report on the level of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced by fourth-grade children 6 months after Hurricane Floyd and describe the children's efforts to cope with their stress. All of the children (aged 9-12 yrs) they studied were directly affected by the hurricane, secondary to the destruction of their school by floodwaters. The homes of 37% of these children were also flooded. Ninety-five percent of the children experienced at least mild symptoms of PTSD, and 71% had symptoms that were moderate to very severe. Children who reported that their homes were flooded were 3 times more likely to report symptoms than those whose homes were not flooded, and the girls were twice as likely as the boys to report symptoms. The high PTSD prevalence rates are comparable to findings from other studies involving violence in which 94% of the victims reported experiencing symptoms. For further analyses, the authors used symptom clusters of hyperarousal, numbing/avoidance, and reexperiencing symptoms. _____
Title: The trauma of profound childhood loss: A personal and professional perspective. Author(s): Cournos, Francine, Columbia U, New York, NY, US Address: Cournos, Francine, New York State Psychiatric Inst, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 112, New York, NY, US Source: Psychiatric Quarterly, Vol 73(2), Sum 2002. pp. 145-156. Publisher: Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers Abstract: Profound loss in childhood as a precipitant for symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder has been a largely neglected subject. There is now some literature to suggest that severe loss and the absence of care may be as predictive of psychological distress in children as events that are more frequently studied, such as exposure to natural disasters and physical or sexual abuse. This paper combines the author's personal experience as an orphaned child who was placed in foster care with a discussion of this emerging literature to examine the relationship between childhood loss and trauma symptoms. An awareness of the traumatic nature of severe losses in childhood could help caregivers and mental health professionals deal more effectively with such children. _____
Title: Supporting adolescents in times of national crisis: Potential roles for adolescent health care providers. Author(s): Schonfeld, David J., Yale U, School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, US, david.schonfeld@yale.edu Address: Schonfeld, David J., Yale U School of Medicine, Dept of Pediatrics, 333 Cedar St., P.O. Box 208064, New Haven, CT, US, david.schonfeld@yale.edu Source: Journal of Adolescent Health, Vol 30(5), May 2002. pp. 302-307. Publisher: Netherlands: Elsevier Science Abstract: Discusses adolescents' reactions to the terrorist attacks of September 11th, and possible counseling strategies. Manmade disasters, especially when there is an underlying human intent to cause harm, often result in more psychological distress than do natural disasters. Potential symptoms of adjustment reactions may include sleep problems, anxiety and trauma-related fears, separation anxiety, school avoidance, difficulties in concentration, sadness, depression, avoidance of previously enjoyed activities, regression, somatization, onset of or increase in substance abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Adolescents may attempt to withhold complaints of symptoms because of concerns that they are abnormal. Adolescents should be advised to consider limiting the amount of television viewing, especially those most affected. Conference: National Conference and Exhibition of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Oct, 2001, San Francisco, CA, US _____
Title: The effect of sensitization and coping style on post-traumatic stress symptoms and quality of life: Two longitudinal studies. Author(s): Johnsen, Bjorn Helge, U Bergen, Dept of Psychosocial Science, Bergen, Norway, bjoern.johnsen@psych.uib.no; Eid, Jarle, Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, Bergen, Norway; Laberg, Jon Christian; Thayer, Julian F., National Insts on Aging, Baltimore, MD, US Source: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, Vol 43(2), Apr 2002. Special issue: Somatization, sensitization and subjective health complaints. pp. 181-188. Publisher: United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing Abstract: Examined the effects of multiple trauma exposure and coping style on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and quality of life. In Study 1, 32 survivors of a navy shipwreck (mean age 25.7 yrs) completed the Impact of Event Scale (M. J. Horowiz et al, 1979), the Post- Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale (L. Weisaeth and L. Mehlum, 1993), and a version of the General Health Questionnaire at 3-wk and 4- and 12 mo follow-ups after the precipitating accident. Eight Ss were identified as having experienced repeated exposures. In Study 2, 52 male privateers and officers (aged 18-29+ yrs), who experienced a severe avalanche completed the same questionnaires as those of Study 1. Results show that single-exposure Ss revealed a decrease in trauma specific stress reactions from 3 wks to 4 mo, with a persistent reduction at 12-mo. In contrast, repeated-exposure Ss showed an increase in symptom reporting over the 12-mo period. The same pattern emerged for perceived quality of life. Ss with a dominant coping style of emotion-focused or task-focused coping showed a reduction in trauma-specific symptoms over time. _____
Title: Reliability and validity of the Japanese-language version of the Impact of Event Scale-revised (IES-R-J): Four studies of different traumatic events. Author(s): Asukai, Nozomu, Tokyo Inst of Psychiatry, Dept of Stress Disorders Research, Tokyo, Japan; Kato, Hiroshi, Hyogo Inst for Mental Health Care, Kobe, Japan; Kawamura, Noriyuki, National Inst of Mental Health, Ichikawa, Japan; Kim, Yoshiharu, National Inst of Mental Health, Ichikawa, Japan; Yamamato, Kohei, Wakayama City Public Health Ctr, Wakayama, Japan; Kishimoto, Junji, SAS Inst Japan, Tokyo, Japan; Miyake, Yuko, Tokyo Inst of Psychiatry, Dept of Stress Disorders Research, Tokyo, Japan; Nishizono-Maher, Aya, Tokyo Inst of Psychiatry, Dept of Stress Disorders Research, Tokyo, Japan Address: Asukai, Nozomu, Tokyo Inst of Psychiatry, Dept of Stress Disorders Research, 2-1-8 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan, 156-8585 Source: Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, Vol 190(3), Mar 2002. pp. 175-182. Publisher: US: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Abstract: The authors developed the Japanese-language version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R-J) and investigated its reliability and validity in 4 different groups: 487 workers (aged 18-60 yrs) with lifetime mixed traumatic events, 61 survivors (aged 12-68 yrs) of an arsenic poisoning case, 86 survivors (aged 26-86 yrs) of the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake, and 658 survivors (aged 18-79 yrs) of the Tokyo Metro sarin attack. Evidence includes retest reliability and internal consistency of the IES-R-J. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and partial PTSD cases indicated significantly higher scores than non-PTSD cases. In analysis of scale structure, the majority of intrusion and hyperarousal items were subsumed under the same cluster, whereas avoidance items made up a separate cluster. Female patients indicated higher scores than male patients. A negative weak correlation between age and the score was found only among female earthquake survivors. The IES-R-J can be used as a validated instrument in future international comparative research. _____
Title: Exposure to war trauma, war-related PTSD, and psychological impact of subsequent hurricane. Author(s): Sutker, Patricia B., Texas Tech U, Health Sciences Ctr, Lubbock, TX, US; Corrigan, Sheila A., Dept of Veterans Affairs, Medical Ctr, New Orleans, LA, US; Sundgaard-Riise, Kirsten; Uddo, Madeline; Allain, Albert N., Dept of Veterans Affairs, Medical Ctr, New Orleans, LA, US Address: Sutker, Patricia B., Texas Tech U Health Sciences Ctr, Dept of Neuropsychiatry & Behavioral Science, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, US Source: Journal of Psychopathology & Behavioral Assessment, Vol 24(1), Mar 2002. pp. 25-37. Publisher: Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers Abstract: Explored the impact of psychological outcomes to war on response to subsequent natural disaster. Ss were 312 military personnel (aged 18-64 yrs) 66% of whom saw Gulf War duty. All were exposed to the 1992 Hurricane Andrew. Ss were compared on reported traumatic events, hurricane impact responses, and psychological symptoms in subgroups defined by war or no war exposure prior to hurricane and by presence or absence of war-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Data were gathered in face-to-face clinical assessments. War trauma prior to hurricane was associated with more reported traumatic events, greater fears for safety during the hurricane, and heightened psychological symptoms. Ss with preexisting war-related PTSD show more adverse psychological hurricane sequelae and reported more traumatic events, higher depression, anxiety, anger, PTSD symptoms, and physical symptoms, and lower self-esteem than those free of diagnoses. Results point to the negative influence of exposure to one traumatic event on the experience of and response to a subsequent stressor. _____
Title: Ethnicity, culture, and disaster response: Identifying and explaining ethnic differences in PTSD six months after Hurricane Andrew. Author(s): Perilla, Julia L., Georgia State U, Atlanta, GA, US, jperilla@gsu.edu; Norris, Fran H., Georgia State U, Atlanta, GA, US, fnorris@gsu.edu; Lavizzo, Evelyn A., Georgia State U, Atlanta, GA, US Address: Perilla, Julia L., Georgia State U, Dept of Psychology, University Plaza, Atlanta, GA, US, jperilla@gsu.edu Source: Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, Vol 21(1), Spr 2002. pp. 20-45. Publisher: US: Guilford Publications Abstract: A sample of 404 residents of southern Florida were interviewed in their own homes 6 mo after Hurricane Andrew. The sample was composed of equal numbers of Hispanics, non-Hispanic blacks, and Caucasians. Ethnic groups differed strongly in the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Caucasian disaster victims showed the lowest rate (15%), Spanish-preferring Latinos showed the highest rate (38%), and African-Americans showed a rate (23%) between these two extremes. Additional analyses attempted to explain these symptom differences in terms of differential exposure and differential vulnerability to trauma. Both explanations had merit but neither completely accounted for observed ethnic differences. Cultural-specific responses to Hurricane Andrew suggest the need to view psychological symptoms in light of the possible adaptive nature of the behaviors due to political, social, economic, and historical perspectives. _____
Title: Structured writing about a natural disaster buffers the effect of intrusive thoughts on negative affect and physical symptoms. Author(s): Smyth, Joshua M., Syracuse U, Dept of Psychology, Syracuse, NY, US, jmsmyth@psych.syr.edu; Hockemeyer, Jill, North Dakota State U, ND, US; Anderson, Chris, North Dakota State U, ND, US; Strandberg, Kim, North Dakota State U, ND, US; Koch, Michelle, North Dakota State U, ND, US; O'Neill, H. Katherine, North Dakota State U, ND, US; McCammon, Susan, East Carolina U, US Source: Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies, Vol 6(1), 2002. pp. NP. Publisher: New Zealand: Massey Univ Abstract: Posted April 11, 2002. There is evidence that individuals experiencing natural disasters are at risk for long term physical and mental health problems, particularly if experiencing unbidden thoughts (intrusions) about the disaster. This study examined if a brief, easily administered, structured writing task (expressing thoughts and emotions about the natural disaster) would attenuate the relationship between intrusions about the disaster and both negative affect and physical symptoms. 53 individuals recently displaced by a hurricane and subsequent flooding were randomly assigned to the experimental (emotional writing) group or to the control (neutral writing) group. A community reference group of 56 non-displaced adults was also obtained. In the control group, disaster-related intrusions more than 3 mo post-disaster were associated with higher levels of negative affect and more physical symptoms. In the experimental group, disaster-related intrusions were unrelated to both negative affect and physical symptoms. _____
Translated Title: Long-term effect of the Tangshan earthquake on psychosomatic health of paraplegic sufferers. Author(s): Zhang, Ben, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Wang, Xueyi, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Sun, Hexiang, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Ma, Wenyou, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Xu, Guangming, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Men, Xuemei, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Yu, Zhenjian, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Gu, Yan, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China Liu, Xiuhua, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China Source: Chinese Mental Health Journal, Vol 16(1), Jan 2002. pp. 23-25. Publisher: China: Chinese Mental Health Abstract: Studied the long-term effects of the Tangshan earthquake (China) on the health status of paraplegic sufferers. 64 paraplegic sufferers (mean age: 49.83 yrs) and 64 survivors (mean age: 49.88 yrs) were studied in 1988. The experiences during the earthquake including time being buried in the ruins, lost of loved ones, severity of injury or paraplegia, and lost of property, and current health status were compared between groups. The results show that 6 of the 64 paraplegic sufferers (9%) were diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) according to the 2nd revision of the Chinese Classification of Mental Diseases, the rate higher than that (0.94%) in the 1999 investigation of earthquake survivors (B. Zhang et al). The results also show that 32 of the 64 paraplegic sufferers were diagnosed with acute stress reaction; and that the assessment scores reflected poorer health and lower social support in paraplegic sufferers than in survivors. The study concludes that there is a close connection between severity of trauma and mental and physical health status. Tests used: The SCL-90, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, the Self-Rating Depression Scale, the Cornell Medical Index, and the Social Support Rating Scale. _____
Translated Title: Life style and psychosomatic health in paraplegic sufferers of the Tangshan earthquake. Author(s): Zhang, Ben, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Xu, Kaiming, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Wang, Xueyi, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Sun, Hexiang, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Ma, Wenyou, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Yu, Zhenjian, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Gu, Yan, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Men, Xuemei, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China; Liu, Xiuhua, Kailuan Limited Corporation, Mental Health Ctr, Tangshan, China Source: Chinese Mental Health Journal, Vol 16(1), Jan 2002. pp. 26-29. Publisher: China: Chinese Mental Health Abstract: Studied the relationships of life style and mental and physical health in paraplegic sufferers of the Tangshan earthquake in China. 31 paraplegic sufferers (mean age 45 yrs) living in a rehabilitation community and 33 paraplegic sufferers (mean age 54 yrs) living in a sanitarium for paraplegic sufferers were assessed with a self-made health investigation questionnaire, the SCL-90, the Cornell Medical Index (CMI), and the Social Support Rating Scale in 1998. Demographic data, severity of earthquake trauma, lifestyle, mental experience in recalling the earthquake, and the scores of the measures were studied between groups with chi-square and t test. The results show that the 2 groups had similar injuries and traumatic experiences in the earthquake, but the lifestyle, social support, and quality of life of Ss living in a rehabilitation community differed from those of Ss living in a sanitarium; and that 6 of the 33 Ss living in a sanitarium were diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) all of them having higher scores of the SCL-90 and the CMI. The results indicate that life style, social support, and quality of life are important factors affecting the health of paraplegic sufferers. _____
Title: The relation between burnout and compassion fatigue in fire fighter-paramedics. Author(s): Bissett, Jennifer L., U Houston, US Source: Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences & Engineering, Vol 63(6-B), Jan 2002. pp. 3052. Publisher: US: Univ Microfilms International Abstract: The term burnout has been widely used across multiple settings to refer to the results of occupational stress. The term was originally defined as "a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment that can occur among individuals who do 'people work' of some kind" (Maslach & Jackson 1981). Emphasis on burnout, however, may have overshadowed other possible occupational stress reactions. It is important, therefore, to more clearly define what is and is not appropriately labeled as such. The purpose of this project was to study the relation between burnout and compassion fatigue in a sample of fire-fighter/paramedics from a large, metropolitan, fire department in the southwest. For emergency services personnel, including fire fighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers, dispatchers and emergency room personnel, in addition to the occupational stressors typically seen as precursors of burnout, there is often the added occupational hazard of frequent exposure to traumatic incidents. This exposure, at times, may produce symptoms of post-traumatic stress, referred to as secondary traumatic stress, or compassion fatigue. It is the opinion of this researcher that emergency service personnel may be at a greater risk of compassion fatigue due to their immediate contact with the traumatic event, and the difference between burnout and compassion fatigue is not as clear for emergency service personnel, given that exposure to trauma is an expected part of their daily routine. Archival data from a baseline study at the Houston Fire Department was used for the purpose of this study. The data included responses of 240 career fire-fighter paramedics on items related to general demographics as well as measures of burnout, compassion fatigue and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Analyses were completed regarding: (1) intercorrelations between burnout, compassion fatigue and PTSD symptom findings; (2) group differences between those on and off duty during a natural disaster immediately preceding data collection; (3) the factor structure of burnout; (4) the factor structure of compassion fatigue; (5) the factor structure of the LASC PTSD Severity Scale; (6) an exploratory analysis regarding the relation of burnout and compassion fatigue; and (7) regression analyses regarding the relation of burnout and compassion fatigue. Limitations of the study as well as implications for training and future research were discussed. _____
Title: The intersection of gender and betrayal in trauma. Author(s): DePrince, Anne P., U Denver, Dept of Psychology, Denver, CO, US; Freyd, Jennifer J., U Oregon, Dept of Psychology, Eugene, OR, US Source: Gender and PTSD. Kimerling, Rachel (Ed); Ouimette, Paige (Ed); et al; pp. 98-113. New York, NY, US: Guilford Press, 2002. xx, 460 pp. Abstract: (from the chapter) Many traumatic events involve some degree of social betrayal. In cases of interpersonal violence, betrayal may take the form of caregivers' or trusted partners' perpetration of violence. Some forms of trauma are less likely to involve social betrayal, such as natural disasters. This chapter explores gender differences in traumas that involve betrayal, using this framework to make predictions about gender and memory impairment in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Based on the current literature, we have evidence that females experience more betrayal traumas than males, when betrayal is defined as "abuse by someone on whom the victim is dependent." We do have to be cautious in interpreting this finding. Although we have evidence of differences in men's and women's reports of trauma, we cannot determine which of these differences are explained by socialization as opposed to experience with traumatic events; that is, are women simply more willing to report abuse by caregivers than men? We do not know whether the gender differences for reported betrayal versus fear reflect gender narratives that men and women learn as they are sex-role socialized, or the experience of different traumatic events; most likely they reflect both. _____
Title: School violence and disasters. Author(s): Sandoval, Jonathan, U California, Davis, CA, US; Brock, Stephen E. Source: Handbook of crisis counseling, intervention, and prevention in the schools (2nd ed.). Sandoval, Jonathan (Ed); pp. 249-270. Mahwah, NJ, US: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers, 2002. vii, 444 pp. Abstract: (from the chapter) This chapter discusses two categories of hazardous events that lead to crisis responses in adults and children, and which most often come to mind when we think of crises in the school. The authors examine reactions to natural and man-made disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and fires, and they discuss reactions to terrorist attacks or other acts of violence that may occur at school. The authors view such incidents as drive-by shootings, sniper attacks, and bombings as acts of terrorism. First, the authors explore what can be done to prevent acts of violence (including identifying and responding to potentially violent youth). Next they discuss how to prepare for the crisis response following acts of violence of natural or man-made disaster. Finally, the actual crisis intervention response to acts of violence and to disaster (including the processes of identifying and responding to psychological trauma victims) is examined. _____
Title: Hurricanes and earthquakes. Author(s): La Greca, Annette M., U Miami, Dept of Psychology, Coral Gables, FL, US; Prinstein, Mitchell J., Yale U, Dept of Psychology, New Haven, CT, US Source: Helping children cope with disasters and terrorism. La Greca, Annette M. (Ed); Silverman, Wendy K. (Ed); et al; pp. 107-138. Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association, 2002. xvii, 446 pp. Abstract: (from the chapter) Examines the effects of hurricanes and earthquakes on children and adolescents, although the authors touch briefly on the limited literature on other natural disasters, such as tornadoes, lightning strikes, and volcanoes. The authors present evidence indicating that many children and adolescents living in heavily damaged areas experience significant disaster-related symptomatology for months after the initial disaster and describe initial versions of manualized intervention materials. These sudden, dramatic, and violent acts of nature can create widespread damage and high levels of exposure to life-threatening trauma and may require long periods of reconstruction and recovery. For children and adolescents caught in severe hurricanes, earthquakes, or tornadoes, these relatively brief displays of natural forces can transform a familiar environment into a jumbled pile of rubble. Normally confident and protective adults may show terror, shock, and fear. In the most unfortunate circumstances, children may witness deaths or serious injuries or be injured themselves. The authors describe early versions of manualized intervention materials for dealing with the aftermath of hurricanes and earthquakes. _____
Title: Children and trauma: An overview of reactions, mediating factors, and practical interventions that can be implemented. Series Title: Psychological dimensions to war and peace Author(s): Elliott, Teri L., Disaster Mental Health Inst, NY, US Source: Psychology of terrorism: Clinical aspects and responses, Vol. II. Stout, Chris E. (Ed); pp. 49-73. Westport, CT, US: Praeger Publishers/Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc, 2002. xvii, 267 pp. Abstract: (from the chapter) Provides a working definition of what constitutes a traumatic event in the lives of children and examines factors that contribute to the impact of critical events such as terrorism and war, natural disasters, interpersonal and school violence, and accidents. The author presents an age-specific outline of children's and adolescents' reactions to trauma and suggests how adults may assist children as they move forward in their lives following a traumatic event. _____
Title: The emotional injuries of indirect trauma. Series Title: Psychological dimensions to war and peace Author(s): Schlebusch, Lourens, Dept of Medically Applied Psychology, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, U Natal, Durban, South Africa; Bosch, Brenda Ann, Dept of Medically Applied Psychology, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, U Natal, Durban, South Africa Source: Psychology of terrorism: Clinical aspects and responses, Vol. II. Stout, Chris E. (Ed); pp. 133-141. Westport, CT, US: Praeger Publishers/Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc, 2002. xvii, 267 pp. Abstract: (from the chapter) Terrorism spreads fear and anxiety to people even far removed from where the acts occur. Against the backdrop of international terrorism, this chapter examines South Africa in regard to universal features of the psychology of terrorism, given the country's legacy of trauma in both the apartheid and post-apartheid eras. The authors consider the psychopathology of victims whether they have had direct or indirect exposure to trauma, and the effects of trauma-producing behavior, such as desensitization, further violence, and fear. The chapter also compares the effects of trauma from human rights violations and from natural disasters. _____
Title: Treatment strategies for traumatized children. Author(s): Lindahl, Mary W., Marymount U, School of Education & Human Services, Arlington, VA, US Source: Simple and complex post-traumatic stress disorder: Strategies for comprehensive treatment in clinical practice. Williams, Mary Beth (Ed); Sommer, John F. Jr. (Ed); pp. 215-239. Binghamton, NY, US: Haworth Maltreatment and Trauma Press/The Haworth Press, Inc, 2002. xxiii, 408 pp. Abstract: (from the chapter) Discusses techniques learned over the author's career for treating traumatized children. This chapter, building on past research, presents new ideas and techniques that have worked to help children who have experienced many types of traumatic events, including those caused by human design (physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; domestic violence; witnessing a violent crime or the murder of a parent; parental death by suicide or sudden line-of-duty death in a law enforcement parent; kidnapping; and the deliberate terrorizing and attempted emotional destruction of the child) as well as those caused by nonhuman forces (fires, natural disasters, airplane and automobile accidents, death of a parent through illness or accident; necessary medical treatments, and discovering a mutilated body). A careful evaluation and treatment plan, developed in close collaboration with the parents, can help children tell the story in a therapeutic setting; resolve psychological symptoms; lessen the impact on emotional, social, and moral development; promote healing; and encourage transformative, and life-enhancing outcomes. _____
Title: Dogal Felâket Deneyimleri ve Travma Sonrasi Stres Bozuklugu: Risk Faktörleri ve Yayginlik. Translated Title: Natural Disaster Experiences and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Risk Factors and Prevalence. Author(s): Kugu, Nesim, Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Tip Fakültesi Psikiyatri ABD, Sivas, Turkey, nesimkugu@mynet.com; Akyüz, Gamze, Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Tip Fakültesi Psikiyatri ABD, Sivas, Turkey Address: Kugu, Nesim, nesimkugu@mynet.com Source: Yeni Symposium, Vol 40(1), Jan 2002. pp. 25-29. Publisher: Turkey: Cerrahpasa Tip Fakultesi Psikiyatri Klinigi Vakfi Abstract: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder appearing after a traumatic experience, which lasts at least one month, and is characterized by frequent involuntary remembrance of the traumatic condition, escape behaviors from the conditions associated with the traumatic event and anxiety symptoms. In this article the objective is to review the risk factors for this disorder and the prevalence of PTSD, with implications for psychiatric services after a natural disaster. Female gender, presence of psychiatric disorder in the family and past psychiatric history, personal hopelessness, absence of social support, past-disaster moving, loss of business and property, low socioeconomic level, history of trauma in childhood, and the severity, duration and frequency of the natural disaster(s) have all been informed as risk factors for PTSD appearing after natural disasters. Lifetime prevalence of PTSD is between 1-14%, risk related to the conditions in the posttraumatic period is 9.2%, and prevalence in people at risk is 3-58%. PTSD prevalence rates for various disasters are discussed, including the 1990 Buffalo Creek torrent disaster, the Andrews cyclone in 1992, and the 1999 earthquake in Turkey. When the literature concerning the issue was reviewed it was seen that risk factors for PTSD after natural disasters were identified relatively better but different results were obtained about the prevalences. These different results for prevalences might be related to evaluation methods and sampling groups in surveys. PTSD prevalence and related risk factors are necessary for professional intervention and services after natural disasters. Improvement in social and physical supporting systems might decrease long term negative results of trauma. _____
Title: Strategies for anticipating and preventing psychological trauma of hurricanes through community education. Author(s): Dudley-Grant, G. Rita, Virgin Islands Behavioral Sciences, St Croix, US Virgin Islands; Mendez, Gloria I.; Zinn, Juliana Source: Professional Psychology: Research & Practice, Vol 31(4), Aug 2000. pp. 387-392. Publisher: US: American Psychological Assn Abstract: As members of the Association of Virgin Islands Psychologists, the authors recount their experiences as professionals and as individuals when violent hurricanes hit the U.S. Virgin Islands. They provide suggestions for individual and community-level interventions as well as potential collaborations with disaster relief agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They discuss unique concerns related to working in multicultural settings, rural service delivery, and research opportunities. Psychologists are encouraged to broaden their skills to include training in disaster intervention as global awareness of the need for disaster mental health increases. _____
Title: Prospective study of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depressive reactions after earthquake and political violence. Author(s): Goenjian, Armen K.; Steinberg, Alan M.; Najarian, Louis M.; Fairbanks, Lynn A.; Tashjian, Madeline; Pynoos, Robert S. Source: American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol 157(6), Jun 2000. pp. 911-916. Publisher: US: American Psychiatric Assn Abstract: Assessed the severity and longitudinal course of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depressive reactions among 2 groups of adults differentially exposed to severe and mild earthquake trauma (mean ages 43 and 29 yrs, respectively) and a 3rd group exposed to severe violence (mean age 44 yrs). In addition, interrelationships among these reactions and predictors of outcome and compared posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom category profile and course between those exposed to earthquake and those exposed to violence was examined. 78 non-treatment seeking Ss were assessed with self-report instruments approximately 1.5 and 4.5 years after the 1988 Spitak earthquake in Armenia and the 1988 pogroms against Armenians in Azerbaijan. The results show that the 2 groups that had been exposed to severe trauma (earthquake or violence) had high initial and follow-up PTSD scores that did not remit over the 3 yr interval. Overall, depressive symptoms subsided. Posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depressive reactions were highly intercorrelated within and across both time intervals. It is concluded that after exposure to severe trauma, either an earthquake or violence, adults are at high risk of developing severe and chronic posttraumatic stress reactions that are associated with chronic anxiety and depressive reactions. _____
Title: Globalizing disaster trauma: Psychiatry, science, and culture after the Kobe earthquake. Author(s): Breslau, Joshua, Harvard School of Public Health, Dept of Epidemiology, MA, US Source: Ethos, Vol 28(2), Jun 2000. pp. 174-197. Publisher: US: Society for Psychological Anthropology Abstract: In January of 1995 a massive earthquake struck the city of Kobe, Japan. This article examines how this event became an opportunity for extending global networks of the science and medicine of trauma. The article is based on ethnographic research in Kobe and Los Angeles with psychiatrists who responded to the earthquake in its immediate aftermath. Three aspects of the process are examined: 1) changes in psychiatric institutions that were ongoing at the time of the earthquake, 2) the place of psychiatry in Japanese cultural self-criticism, and 3) the particular technologies for identifying and treating trauma. Globalization in this case cannot be seen as an imposition of Western cultural forms, but rather an ongoing process that reproduces differences between cultures as particular elements travel between them. _____
Title: Group treatment of trauma survivors following a fatal bus accident: Integrating theory and practice. Author(s): Turner, Andrew L., Albert Einstein Coll of Medicine, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Bronx, NY, US Source: Group Dynamics, Vol 4(2), Jun 2000. pp. 139-149. Publisher: US: Educational Publishing Foundation Abstract: There is a growing body of theory and initial research into the application of group interventions with survivors of trauma, whether natural disaster, accidental, or man-made. This article reviews current thought and practice as well as recent studies of group interventions with trauma survivors. A case study involving a fatal bus accident during an international studies program is presented, along with observational outcomes and a discussion of future research directions for this unique and critical form of group work. _____
Title: Using a metaphor in working with disaster survivors. Author(s): Carmichael, Karla D., U Alabama, Birmingham, AL, US Source: Journal for Specialists in Group Work, Vol 25(1), Mar 2000. pp. 7-15. Publisher: United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Abstract: Examined the metaphorical use of the story of The Wizard of Oz in counseling tornado disaster survivors in a small US community. A 3-hr introductory session was attended by 30 residents (aged 8-late 50s), approximately a quarter of the community. In the last hr a counselor educator began group telling of the story, metaphorically interpreting various aspects, including Dorothy's shoes as inner strength, the dog as significant people, and the Yellow Brick Road as the trauma recovery process. Discussion progressed to residents offering their personal interpretations, allowing them to indirectly and less painfully express their perspectives. Members then began directly discussing their experiences, with the story providing a common reference point. It is concluded that The Wizard of Oz was an effective intervention with these tornado disaster survivors, serving the 3 functions of remembrance, teaching, and motivation. _____
Title: A socio-psychological model for analyzing risk communication processes. Author(s): Rohrmann, Bernd, U Melbourne, Dept of Psychology, Parkville, VIC, Australia, b.rohrmann@psych.unimelb.edu.au Address: Rohrmann, Bernd, U Melbourne, Dept of Psychology, Parkville, VIC, Australia, 3052, b.rohrmann@psych.unimelb.edu.au Source: Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies, Vol 4(2), 2000. Special issue: Risk information and communication. pp. NP. Publisher: New Zealand: Massey Univ Abstract: Outlines a theoretical framework for the socio-psychological process underlying risk information, communication and education efforts. The model identifies a set of message, person characteristics, social influences and context factors which determine whether, and if so, how a particular risk communication regarding a hazard influences individual risk assessment and management. Three overlapping processes need to be considered and linked: how people deal with hazards, how risk information is processed and evaluated, and how accepted information affects risk perception, evaluation and behavior. As interactive risk communication is far more likely to be effective, 2-way communication pathways are looked at as well. The presented framework can be elaborated and specified with regard to the problem type, the target audience, and the relevant attitudes and behaviors to be dealt with. It has proven useful in several studies about technological hazards as well as natural disasters. Further applications to different kinds of hazards and a variety of risk communication techniques would be worthwhile in order to explicate the soundness of the suggested socio-psychological approach to analyzing risk communication. _____
Title: Are flood warnings futile? Risk communication in emergencies. Author(s): Handmer, John, Middlesex U, Flood Hazard Research Ctr, London, United Kingdom, johnhandmer@hotmail.com Address: Handmer, John, Middlesex U, Flood Hazard Research Ctr, London, United Kingdom, johnhandmer@hotmail.com Source: Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies, Vol 4(2), 2000. Special issue: Risk information and communication. pp. NP. Publisher: New Zealand: Massey Univ Abstract: Flood warnings often don't work well and too frequently fail completely. Reasons for this may be inherent in the methodology and definitions used to assess warnings. Aside from these methodological issues, warnings may fail for a range of reasons associated with the meshing of the warning message with those at risk; as well as institutional factors such as cooperation between the organisations involved, and how they conceptualise the warning task. These factors are examined in the context of recent European and Australian research and experience of warnings. Despair is understandable; while resources devoted to warning systems are fairly static, the task is probably becoming more challenging by the day because of social evolution. Although success with warnings may become more difficult to achieve, there are potential changes in the operating environment which may force higher performance. Other conclusions include: the importance of agreeing on a definition of "success", as a precursor to warning-system wide agreement on the task; a more negotiated approach to those at risk (rather than a monopolistic supplier approach); and targeting to ensure that no identifiable group is missed. _____
Title: Perceptions of risk from natural hazards in two remote New Zealand communities. Author(s): Gough, Janet, Taylor Baines and Associates, Christchurch, New Zealand, j.gough@tba.co.nz Address: Gough, Janet, Taylor Baines and Associates, P.O. Box 8620, Christchurch, New Zealand, j.gough@tba.co.nz Source: Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies, Vol 4(2), 2000. Special issue: Risk information and communication. pp. NP. Publisher: New Zealand: Massey Univ Abstract: New Zealand's spectacular scenery owes its origins to natural processes that continue to shape and move the physical environment. Thus many of New Zealand's tourist centres are located in areas where there are significant risks from natural hazards. In 1995-96 and 1999, 2 case studies were conducted in small tourist communities known to be at risk from natural hazards. These case studies aimed to learn more about community understanding of risk and willingness to accept the risk, and to help establish communication channels between agencies responsible for managing the risk and the residents. Both case studies were conducted prior to decisions being made about capital protection works. The purpose of this paper is to review the processes applied and to suggest how this experience might be used to help design effective procedures for communicating emergency response information. Statements made by residents implied that many of them were aware of the likelihood component of risks from natural hazards and had chosen to accept to tolerate them in return for personal lifestyle benefits. There was less awareness of the potential magnitude of events. The response from participants indicates that such small-scale case studies of this nature can generate goodwill in small communities. _____
Title: Vulnerability and resistance to traumatic stress: Psychological responses to the Northridge earthquake. Author(s): Hillig, Justine Angela, U California, Los Angeles, US Source: Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences & Engineering, Vol 60(12-B), 2000. pp. 6367. Publisher: US: Univ Microfilms International Abstract: Although humankind has endured devastating natural disasters throughout the ages, the relatively young field of disaster mental health still requires a great deal of research. Further investigations are needed to explore psychological consequences of disasters, identify risk factors, and help prevent or reduce psychological disturbance. The present study expands knowledge about disaster mental health by examining the early impact of a disaster on individuals with qualitatively different types of trauma exposure and subcommunity membership. The study investigated psychological and behavioral responses during the first three weeks after the 6.7 Northridge earthquake struck Los Angeles, California, on January 17, 1994. The Impact of Event Scale and supplementary data were used to examine acute traumatic stress symptomatology. Responses were obtained from 434 students at the University of California, Los Angeles. A total of 378 individuals experienced primary exposure (i.e., direct exposure to both to the initial disaster and its aftermath). The remaining 56 individuals returned to Los Angeles within days after the earthquake and experienced secondary exposure (i.e., exposure to the disaster aftermath without exposure to the initial disaster). A total of 92 individuals worked as paraprofessional counselors, and 342 individuals from the sample were not members of the counselor subcommunity. Mann-Whitney U tests and chi-square analyses were used to compare groups. The results indicate that 81% of respondents reported experiencing traumatic stress symptoms three weeks after the disaster. Women and individuals with greater injury and damage reported greater stress symptoms. Individuals with primary exposure to the earthquake reported higher levels of intrusive and total traumatic stress symptoms than did individuals with secondary exposure. There was no difference in avoidant stress symptoms following primary or secondary exposure. Counselors reported lower levels of avoidant and total stress symptoms than did non-counselors, but there was no difference in intrusive stress symptoms. Non-counselors with primary exposure reported greater total and avoidant symptoms than did counselors with primary exposure, but no difference in intrusive symptoms. There were no differences in reported traumatic stress symptoms among counselors and non-counselors who experienced secondary exposure. Implications for disaster mental health counseling and suggestions for future research are discussed. _____
Title: Clinical aspects of post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents. Author(s): Shah, Nilesh, LTMML Coll, Mumbai, India; Mudholkar, Santoshkumar Source: Post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents. Dwivedi, Kedar Nath (Ed); pp. 97-112. London, England: Whurr Publishers, Ltd., 2000. xvi, 247 pp. Abstract: (from the chapter) Describes various aspects of clinical presentation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its similarities and differences with other disorders. Recent clinical and research literature on PTSD in children and adolescents provides an idea of the different types of traumatic events and other contributory factors that influence the development of PTSD. Types of traumatic events that may influence PTSD are combat (war); natural disaster; exposure to civilian violence, assaults and murders; accidents, rape and incest. The event involves actual or threatened death or serious physical injury to self and others, or loss of self-esteem. The person may have either experienced or witnessed the event. Contributory factors in the development of PTSD includes the risk of exposure to traumatic events, perception and evaluation of the event, availability of support, and life events in the subsequent period. The authors also list essential and associated features (symptom profile) of PTSD and a variety of psychiatric co-morbidity usually found to be associated in children and adolescents. The authors note that studies have followed children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events and have reaffirmed the need for longitudinal studies, as there may be a delayed onset or chronic persistences of symptoms of PTSD. _____
Title: Intervención en crisis después de grandes desastres. Translated Title: Intervention strategies with individuals |
