Combat high or traumatic stress: violent offending is associated with appetitive aggression but not with symptoms of traumatic stress

Former members of armed groups in eastern DR Congo had typically witnessed, experienced, and perpetrated extreme forms of violence. Enhanced trauma-related symptoms had been shown in prior research. But also lashing out in self-defense is a familiar response to threat defined as reactive aggression. Another potential response is appetitive aggression, in which the perpetration of excessive violence is perceived as pleasurable (combat high). What roles do these forms of aggressive behavior play in modern warfare and how are they related to posttraumatic stress symptoms?

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Changing for Better or Worse? Posttraumatic Growth Reported by Soldiers Deployed to Iraq

There has been increased interest in self-perceived posttraumatic growth, but few longitudinal studies have focused on its relationship with posttraumatic stress. Self-perceived growth is generally thought to facilitate adjustment, but some researchers have proposed that it reflects a dysfunctional coping strategy that impedes adjustment and leads to posttraumatic stress. In this prospective longitudinal study, we examined the relationship between self-perceived posttraumatic growth and stress. Participants were soldiers deployed to Iraq.

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AN INVESTIGATION OF OUTCOME EXPECTANCIES AS A PREDICTOR OF TREATMENT RESPONSE FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH PTSD: COMPARISON OF CLINICIAN, SELF-REPORT, AND BIOLOGICAL MEASURES

Background Outcome expectancy, or the degree to which a client believes that therapy will result in improvement, is related to improved treatment outcomes for multiple disorders. There is a paucity of research investigating this relation in regards to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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An Uncontrolled Trial of a Present-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Objective The efficacy of a present-focused version of cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (CBCT for PTSD) was examined in a community sample.Method Seven couples completed pretreatment assessments, including measures of clinician-, self- and partner-rated PTSD symptoms and relationship satisfaction. Six couples completed present-focused CBCT for PTSD and all posttreatment assessments.

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Longitudinal changes of telomere length and epigenetic age related to traumatic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder

Summary

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Increased Levels of Depressive Symptoms Among Pregnant Women in The Netherlands After the Crash of Flight MH17

On July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down, a tragedy that shocked the Dutch population. As part of a large longitudinal survey on mental health in pregnant women that had a study inclusion period of 19 months, we were able to evaluate the possible association of that incident with mood changes using pre- and postdisaster data.

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Trauma-Focused Therapy for Refugees : Meta-Analytic Findings

High levels of trauma-related psychological distress have been documented among ethnically diverse refugees. As the number of refugees worldwide continues to grow, determining the efficacy of established methods of trauma-focused therapy for this population is crucial.

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Distinguishing schizophrenia from posttraumatic stress disorder with psychosis

Purpose of review Co-occurrence of psychotic symptoms with symptoms typically thought of as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is well known, and there has been considerable debate whether this represents a psychotic subtype or a comorbid psychotic disorder.

 

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Mental health problems associated with female genital mutilation.

Aims and method
To study the mental health status of 66 genitally mutilated immigrant women originating from Africa (i.e. Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea and Sierra Leone). Scores on standardised questionnaires (Harvard Trauma Questionnaire-30, Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25, COPE-Easy, Lowlands Acculturation Scale) and demographic and psychosocial correlates were analysed.
Results

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Lone-Actor Terrorism : Literature Review

Lone-actor terrorism is not a new phenomenon; however, research suggests the threat is increasing as pressure from security services forces a tactical adaptation and groups call on those who share their ideology to act alone without direction or support. This paper is the first publication in the Countering Lone-Actor Terrorism (CLAT) project, which aims to improve understanding of, and responses to, the phenomenon of (potentially) violent lone actors through analysis of comprehensive data on cases from across Europe.

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