Examining the protective effects of mindfulness training on working memory capacity and affective experience

We investigated the impact of mindfulness training (MT) on working memory capacity (WMC) and affective experience. WMC is used in managing cognitive demands and regulating emotions. Yet, persistent and intensive demands, such as those experienced during high-stress intervals, may deplete WMC and lead to cognitive failures and emotional disturbances. We hypothesized that MT may mitigate these deleterious effects by bolstering WMC.

Dysfunctional beliefs in the understanding and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Genezing dwangstoornis geen lineair proces Mensen met een obsessief compulsieve stoornis hebben last van dwanggedachten (obsessies) en dwanghandelingen (compulsies). Disfunctionele gedachten leiden bij deze mensen tot handelingen die niet in verhouding staan tot waar ze bang of angstig voor zijn. De stoornis kan met cognitieve psychotherapie behandeld worden. Wel blijft maar liefst 50% van de behandelde mensen daarna nog symptomen van de ziekte vertonen. Onderzoekster Annemiek Polman ging daarom na wat de aard is van het proces van gedragsverandering tijdens de behandeling.

Dysfunction of stress responsive systems in somatization

This study contradicts the generally accepted idea that psychosocial stressinfluences stress responsive systems.Summary213We conclude that dysfunction of stress responsive systems is not a necessaryfactor for somatization in general. However, lowered cardiac vagal activity,hypocortisolism, and possibly low-grade immune activation, may be relevant inthe etiology in subgroups of patients with FSD. Such subgroups need to be betteridentified in order to target and improve treatment strategies based onnormalization of function of the stress responsive systems. (from the summary)

Disentangling the relationship between different types of childhood maltreatment and personality disorders

This study investigated the relationship between five forms of childhood maltreatment (sexual, physical and emotional abuse, emotional and physical neglect) and 10 personality disorders (PDs). PDs were assessed by means of SCID II, and childhood maltreatment was retrospectively measured with the Interview for Traumatic Events in Childhood. Both PDs and childhood maltreatment were expressed continuously, and relations were assessed by means of structural equation modelling in a sample of 409 participants.

Dissociative symptoms and reported trauma among patients with spirit possession and matched healthy controls in Uganda

Spirit possession is a common, worldwide phenomenon with dissociative features. Studies in Europe and the United States have revealed associations among psychoform and somatoform dissociation and (reported) potential traumatic events. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships among spirit possession, dissociative symptoms and reported potentially traumatizing events in Uganda. One hundred nineteen persons with spirit possession, diagnosed by traditional healers, were compared to a matched control group of 71 nonpossessed persons.

Douleur chronique et traumatisme psychique: données épidémiologiques discussion clinique et psychopatologique = Chronic pain and psychic traumatism, epidemiology, clinical discussion and psychopathology

Si les cooccurrences entre l'état de stress post-traumatique (ESPT) et d'autres troubles psychiatriques sont bien connues, celles entre ESPT et douleurs physiques sont moins établies. Plusieurs études épidémiologiques mettent en évidence la fréquence de symptômes douloureux chez les patients traumatisés d'une part, et la forte prévalence de l'ESPT chez des sujets souffrant de douleurs chroniques d'autre part. Nous évoquerons les liens de causalité décrits dans la littérature entre douleur et traumatisme psychique.

Dutch study Iraqi asylum seekers : impact of a long asylum procedure on health and health related dimensions among Iraqi asylum seekers in the Netherlands : an epidemiological study

Deze dissertatie heeft aard en omvang van psychiatrische stoornissen, kwaliteit van leven, functiebeperkingen en lichamelijke gezondheid onderzocht onder één van de grootste groepen asielzoekers in Nederland.

Die Gestalttherapie in der Psychotraumatologie: Charakteristika und Wirksamkeit gestalttherapeutischer Interventionen bei Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörungen = Gestalt therapy in psychotraumatology- Characteristic and efficacy of gestalt-therapeut

Proponents of gestalt therapy see the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD) as a reaction to an open gestalt-an interruption of the contact-experience cycle. Gestalt-therapeutic treatment for PTSD Is designed to close the open gestalt of traumatic experience and integrate it into the biography of the patient. Use of the empty-chair dialogue technique is frequent. In the field of psychotraumatology, gestalt therapy has received little recognition and is hardly represented at all in university institutions.

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.

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