Assessing the Family Dynamics of Childhood Maltreatment History with the Childhood Attachment and Relational Trauma Screen (CARTS)

Background: Existing survey measures of childhood trauma history generally fail to take into account the relational-socioecological environment in which childhood maltreatment occurs. Variables such as the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim, the emotional availability of caregivers, witnessing the abuse of others, and the respondent’s own thoughts, feelings, and actions in response to maltreatment are rarely assessed by current measures.

Psychotherapy for Military-Related PTSDA Review of Randomized Clinical Trials

Importance Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling psychiatric disorder common among military personnel and veterans. First-line psychotherapies most often recommended for PTSD consist mainly of “trauma-focused” psychotherapies that involve focusing on details of the trauma or associated cognitive and emotional effects.
Objective To examine the effectiveness of psychotherapies for PTSD in military and veteran populations.

Computer Game Play Reduces Intrusive Memories of Experimental Trauma via Reconsolidation-Update Mechanisms

Memory of a traumatic event becomes consolidated within hours. Intrusive memories can then flash back repeatedly
into the mind’s eye and cause distress. We investigated whether reconsolidation—the process during which memories
become malleable when recalled—can be blocked using a cognitive task and whether such an approach can reduce
these unbidden intrusions. We predicted that reconsolidation of a reactivated visual memory of experimental trauma
could be disrupted by engaging in a visuospatial task that would compete for visual working memory resources. We

Trauma exposure and refugee status as predictors of mental health outcomes in treatment-seeking refugees

Aims and method This study aimed to identify predictors of symptom severity for
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in asylum seekers and refugees
referred to a specialised mental health centre. Trauma exposure (number and domain
of event), refugee status and severity of PTSD and depression were assessed in 688
refugees.
Results Symptom severity of PTSD and depression was significantly associated with
lack of refugee status and accumulation of traumatic events. Four domains of

Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Associated with Premature Senescence? A Review of the Literature

Objective: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has major public health significance.
Evidence that PTSD may be associated with premature senescence (early or accelerated
aging) would have major implications for quality of life and healthcare policy.
We conducted a comprehensive review of published empirical studies relevant to
early aging in PTSD. Method: Our search included the PubMed, PsycINFO, and PILOTS
databases for empirical reports published since the year 2000 relevant to early

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