Development and psychometric evaluation of a measure to assess distress in partners of Australian combat veterans

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate a multidimensional measure of distress experienced by partners of Australian combat veterans. METHOD: The Partners of Veterans Distress Scale (POV-DS) was developed using factor analysis on a sample of 665 female members of Partners of Veterans Association of Australia. Content validity for the scale was established by using focus groups and expert feedback during item development phase. In addition, two self-report inventories were administered to assess physical/mental health, and satisfaction with life.

Development of mental health first aid guidelines on how a member of the public can support a person affected by a traumatic event: a Delphi study

People who experience traumatic events have an increased risk of developing a range of mental disorders. Appropriate early support from a member of the public, whether a friend, family member, co-worker or volunteer, may help to prevent the onset of a mental disorder or may minimise its severity. However, few people have the knowledge and skills required to assist. Simple guidelines may help members of the public to offer appropriate support when it is needed

Designing resilience : preparing for extreme events

Designing Resilience presents case studies of extreme events (including Hurricane Katrina in the United States, the London bombings, and French preparedness for the Avian flu, demonstrate effective and ineffective strategies) and analyzes the ability of affected individuals, institutions, governments, and technological systems to cope with disaster. The authors analyze specific characteristics of resilient systems, the qualities they possess and how they become resilient to determine if there are ways to build a system of resilience from the ground up.

DBT-PTSD: Dialektisch Behaviorale Therapie zur Behandlung der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung mit schwerer Störing der Emotionsregulation nach sexualisierter Gewalt in der Kindheit und Jugend = Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress

The article gives an overview of the treatment rationale, the dynamic hierarchy of treatment foci and the interventions used. These points are exemplified with reference to a case study. Initial efficacy data are also provided.

Confrontations with aggression and mental health problems in police officers: The role of organizational stressors, life-events and previous mental health problems

The extent to which the frequency of facing aggression incidents is associated with mental health problems among police officers when organizational stressors, life-events, and previous mental health problems are taken into account is unclear. To elucidate this data from a longitudinal study of police officers was analyzed (N = 473). Mental health problems (MHPs) are here defined as severe anxiety, depression, hostility, burnout symptoms, and/or sleeping problems according the SCL-90–R and MBI. All MHPs were assessed at baseline and 27 months later.

Consistency of diagnostic thresholds in DSM-V

OBJECTIVE: DSM-IV diagnostic criteria define thresholds on a continuum of symptoms above which the diagnosis is said to be established. Data from the 1997 Australian Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing were used for six internalizing disorders, and the levels of distress and disability associated with each diagnosis were investigated. METHOD: Mean distress (measured by the K-10) and disability (measured by the SF12-MCS) scores were identified for people in the Survey who reported no physical or mental disorders.

Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in men with serious mental illness: a reconceptionalization

This paper proposes a reconceptualization of serious mental illness (SMI) utilizing the concept of Complex-Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). While the effects of trauma in men have recently received increased attention, the impact of chronic exposure to interpersonal trauma during childhood remains under assessed and under recognized. This holds true particularly for men diagnosed with SMI.

Cognitive-affective characteristics of smokers with and without posttraumatic stress disorder and panic psychopathology

The present study evaluated differences among daily smokers with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder (PD), panic attacks (PA), and no axis I psychopathology (past 6 months) in terms of several cognitive-affective variables implicated in both the onset and maintenance of anxiety psychopathology and cigarette smoking. The sample consisted of 123 daily smokers (62% women: M(age)=29.7, SD=11.9).

Childhood adversities as risk factors for onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, but the precise effect of childhood adversities as risk factors for the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour (suicide ideation, plans and attempts) are not well understood. AIMS: To examine the associations between childhood adversities as risk factors for the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour across 21 countries worldwide.

Childhood life events and childhood trauma in adult patients with depressive, anxiety and comorbid disorders vs. controls

Objective: To investigate the association between childhood life events, childhood trauma and the presence of anxiety, depressive or comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders in adulthood. Method: Data are from 1931 adult participants in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). Childhood life events included divorce of parents, early parental loss and 'placed in care', whereas childhood trauma was assessed as experienced emotional neglect, psychological, physical and sexual abuse prior to age 16.

Pages