Associations of neural processing of reward with posttraumatic stress disorder and secondary psychotic symptoms in trauma-affected refugees

ABSTRACT

Background: Psychological traumatic experiences can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Secondary psychotic symptoms are not common but may occur.

Objectives: Since psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia have been related to aberrant reward processing in the striatum, using the same paradigm we investigate whether the same finding extends to psychotic and anhedonic symptoms in PTSD.

Contextualizing Cognitions : the Relation Between Negative Post-traumatic Cognitions and Post-traumatic Stress Among Palestinian Refugees

Negative post-traumatic cognitions (PTC) are a relevant factor in the development, persistence, and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Palestinian refugees live under challenging circumstances and have negative future prospects, so negative cognitions might be expected to prevail. It is uncertain whether findings on the relation between PTC and PTSD in other (non-refugee) populations can be generalized to the Palestinian refugee context.

 

Shame, dissociative seizures and their correlation among traumatised female Yazidi with experience of sexual violence

Background

Survivors of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) captivity are at high risk of developing mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Aims

This study looks at the correlation between sexual abuse, shame, somatoform or bodily distress disorders, and dissociative seizures (psychogenic non-epileptic seizures).

Method

Severity profiles of posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms in treatment seeking traumatized refugees

Background: Western countries are facing many challenges hosting refugees from several regions in the world. Many of them are severely traumatized and suffer from a variety of mental health symptoms, which complicates the identification and treatment of refugees at risk. This study examined subgroups based on a broad range of psychopathology, and several predictors, including trauma characteristics and gender.

 

Psychosocial Support (PSS) in War-affected Countries : A Literature Review

During the last few decades, psychosocial support (PSS) has become a frequent component of assistance programmes in ongoing and post-conflict contexts, and is increasingly becoming an area of interest and action for agencies working in such environments. A growing body of literature advocates for war-affected populations’ need for PSS programmes, and argues their relevance in post-conflict reconstruction processes, peacebuilding and social healing.

 

Development and validation of the Stressful Experiences in Transit Questionnaire (SET-Q) and its Short Form (SET-SF)

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that traumatic experiences from countries of origin (so-called pre-migratory factors), as well as stressors in countries of destination (so-called post-migratory factors), are related to the extent of mental health difficulties and psychological well-being of refugees. However, numerous risks that this population is exposed to during transit have so far been neglected.

 

Posttraumatic Growth in Displaced Syrians in the UK : A Mixed-Methods Approach

This study aimed to explore posttraumatic growth (PTG) in displaced Syrians in the UK, using a mixed-methods approach. Fifty-four Syrian adults in the UK who left Syria as result of the war were recruited online to complete the PTG-Inventory. Five participants with high PTG scores were interviewed via Skype to explore their experiences of PTG. Interviews were analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Results showed that displaced Syrians in the UK experience high levels of PTG.

Long-term mental health in unaccompanied refugee minors : pre- and post-flight predictors

Unaccompanied refugee minors are a particularly vulnerable group. The aim of this study is to increase our knowledge about possible pathways to well-being and integration for unaccompanied refugee minors as they strive to establish new lives in a host county. The present study followed a group of youth who fled to Norway without their caregivers at three time points; 6 months (n = 95; M age = 13.8, 80% boys), 2 years (n = 78; M age = 16.5, 83% boys), and 5 years (n = 47; M age 20.0, 83% boys) after arrival.

Investigating the relationship between distinctive patterns of emotion regulation, trauma exposure and psychopathology among refugees resettled in Australia : a latent class analysis

Background: Emotion regulation difficulties are common among individuals from refugee backgrounds. Little is known, however, about whether there are specific patterns relating to the types of emotion regulation strategies commonly employed by refugees, nor how this relates to psychopathology. Moreover, wider literature on emotion regulation has primarily focused on examining specific emotion regulation strategies in isolation, rather than patterns of emotion regulation across multiple strategies.

The association between visa insecurity and mental health, disability and social engagement in refugees living in Australia

Background: The vast majority of the world’s refugees and people seeking asylum live in a state of sustained displacement. Little is known, however, about the mental health impact of prolonged insecurity.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between insecure visa status and mental health, suicidality, disability and social engagement in a sample of refugees and asylum-seekers living in Australia

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