Global Climate Change and Trauma

Overview

 Climate change is defined as significant long-term alterations in average weather patterns (e.g., temperature, precipitation, wind) due to the combination of natural processes and human activity.

 Climate change is associated with adverse impacts on mental health and wellbeing, including trauma.

 In April 2021, ISTSS released a detailed briefing paper describing the current state of knowledge on climate change and trauma and highlighting gaps to inform public health, policy, clinical, and research initiatives on this topic. 

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Psychometric properties of the German version of the Depressive and Anxious Avoidance in Prolonged Grief Questionnaire (DAAPGQ)

The Depressive and Anxious Avoidance in Prolonged Grief Questionnaire (DAAPGQ) was developed to measure depressive and anxious avoidance behaviors, which, according to cognitive-behavioral models, are supposed to play an important role in the development and maintenance of prolonged grief. The present study aimed to develop a German version of the DAAPGQ and evaluate its psychometric properties and validity within a representative sample of the German general population (N = 2531). The German-language DAAPGQ was  developed using a forward-backward translation procedure.

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Overcoming barriers to mental health care : multimodal trauma‑focused treatment approach for unaccompanied refugee minors

Background: This study evaluated the feasibility of a short-term, multimodal trauma-focused treatment approach adapted specifically for unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs) in the Netherlands. This approach aims to overcome barriers to mental health care and to reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

 

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Risk and protective factors, stressors, and symptoms of adjustment disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic – First results of the ESTSS COVID-19 pan-European ADJUST study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic exposes individuals to multiple stressors, such as quarantine, physical distancing, job loss, risk of infection, and loss of loved ones. Such a complex array of stressors potentially lead to symptoms of adjustment disorder. 

 

Objective: This cross-sectional exploratory study examined relationships between risk and protective factors, stressors, and symptoms of adjustment disorder during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

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Moral injury in civilians : associations with trauma exposure, PTSD, and suicide behavior

BACKGROUND

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The long-lasting impact of childhood trauma on adult chronic physical disorders

Background

It is unclear if childhood trauma (CT) is an independent risk factor of adult chronic physical disorders or whether its impact is (also) due to underlying poorer mental health.

 

Methods

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Do Initial Mental Health, Somatic, and Social Problems Predict Postdisaster Lack of Social Support in the Medium Term? A Latent Profile Analysis

Objective: Findings on the relationship between social support and mental health problems after potentially traumatic events vary across studies. Aim of our longitudinal study is to assess to what extent initial postdisaster mental health, somatic, and social functioning problems affect social support 1.5 years later. This is relevant for the discussion about social causation versus social selection processes.

 

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Loneliness in Bereavement : Measurement Matters

The role of loneliness in the bereavement experience has been reported as substantial, with the death of a close person leaving a considerable void in the life of the bereaved. Yet, there is lack of agreement about its precise role and, notably, whether loneliness should be included as a core symptom for diagnosis of grief complications.

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“If Only I Could Start All over…” A Case Study of Spiritual Care Provision to a Patient with a Psychiatric Disorder Requesting Physician-Assisted Dying in The Netherlands

In a growing number of countries, legislation permits physicians—under strict conditions—to grant a request for physician-assisted dying (PAD). Legally allowing for the possibility of granting such a request is in accordance with central humanistic values such as respect for autonomy and self-determination. The Netherlands is one of few countries where severe suffering from a psychiatric illness qualifies as a ground for a request for PAD.

 

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Efficacy of an Internet-based cognitive-behavioural grief therapy for people bereaved by suicide : a randomized controlled trial

Background: The loss of a loved one due to suicide can be a traumatic event associated with prolonged grief and psychological distress.

 

Objective: This study examined the efficacy of an Internet-based cognitive-behavioural grief therapy (ICBGT) specifically for people bereaved by suicide.

 

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