The impact of a terrorist attack : Survivors’ health, functioning and need for support following the 2019 Utrecht tram shooting 6 and 18 months post-attack

Background: Extremely violent events such as terrorist attacks and mass shootings form a severe risk for the health and wellbeing of affected individuals. In this study based on a public health monitor, we focus on the health impact (including PTSD symptoms, physical problems and day-to-day functioning) of the Utrecht tram shooting, which took place in the morning of March 18th 2019. A lone gunman opened fire on passengers within a moving tram. Four people died, and six people were injured in this attack.

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The mediating role of state anger in the associations between intentions to participate in the criminal trial and psychopathology in traumatically bereaved people

Victims of crimes have been granted increasing procedural rights to participate in the juridical process since the mid 1990s. However, knowledge about the (anti)-therapeutic effect of participation is limited. We examined the associations between symptom levels of persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression and the intention to participate in a criminal trial. Furthermore, we investigated the mediating role of state anger in these associations.

 

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The challenges of conducting mental health research among resettled refugee populations : An ecologi cal framework from a researchers’ perspective

Researchers who are aiming to conduct high quality mental health research in resettled refugee populations are likely to experience multiple challenges in their work. To our knowledge, there is no overview of these challenges and their implications for the quality of research from a researchers’ perspective. We conducted a systematic literature search to further complete the overview of challenges. Lastly, we placed the findings of the thematic analysis and the literature search in a conceptual framework derived from the social ecological model of Bronfenbrenner.

 

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Development of an online supportive treatment module for moral injury in military veterans and police officers

Background: Military members and police officers often operate in high stakes situations and under high levels of physical and psychological stress. Consequently, they may be confronted with morally injurious experiences and develop moral injury. Most treatments for moral injury are cognitive-behavioral, face-to-face treatments, which may be supported by online interventions. Online interventions have shown promise in the treatment of trauma-related psychopathology, but few such interventions for moral injury yet exist.

 

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The relevance of social capital and sense of coherence for mental health of refugees

Introduction

Migration puts refugees in a completely new social context when simultaneously some have to deal with previously experienced traumatic events and post-migration stressors. Social capital and sense of coherence could be key resources to improve mental health of refugees. This study aims to examine the interplay between social capital (structural and cognitive), sense of coherence and mental health of refugees in the Netherlands.

Objective

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Nature videos for PTSD : protocol for a mixed-methods feasibility study

Background: Given the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly among military personnel, new treatment approaches are needed. One may be virtual relaxation interventions, especially 360-degree nature videos, since studies have demonstrated their relaxation effects for healthy participants. If these relaxation effects can be reproduced in patients with PTSD, they may offer a viable tool to reduce distress and hyperarousal.

 

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Change in prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in the two years following trauma : a meta-analytic study

Background: Understanding the course of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the factors that impact this is essential to inform decisions about when and for whom screening and intervention are likely to be beneficial.

 

 

Objective: To provide meta-analytic evidence of the course of recovery from PTSD in the first year following trauma, and the factors that influence that recovery.

 

 

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Predictors of the 10 year course of mental health and quality of life for trauma-affected refugees after psychological treatment

Background: Trauma-affected refugee patients benefit from psychological treatment to different degrees. Only a handful of studies has investigated potential predictors of treatment outcome that could throw light on the great variability in outcomes reported for this group. Such knowledge may be vital to better tailor prevention and treatment efforts to the needs of different individuals and subgroups among these patients.

 

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Addressing war trauma in Ukrainian refugees before it is too late

Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to one of the largest refugee crises in recent history. Many internally displaced Ukrainians and refugees will need care for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Here I will suggest practical steps to reduce long-term impact of trauma and stress on refugees’ mental and physical health, and functioning. These include mental health first aid in acute phase of arrival, education of mental health and navigating healthcare system in the host countries.

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A longitudinal investigation of psychological distress in children during COVID-19 : the role of socio-emotional vulnerability

Background: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the incidence of distress in youth, some children show increased resilience, emphasizing the need to better understand the predictors of distress in youth.

 

Objective: This longitudinal study aimed to assess the combined impact of known socio-emotional predictors of stress-related psychopathology, namely anxiety sensitivity, anxiety trait, intolerance to uncertainty, and rumination, on COVID-related distress in healthy youth.

 

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