Risk factors for posttraumatic stress reactions among Chinese students following exposure to a snowstorm disaster

BACKGROUND: It is important to understand which factors increase the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adolescents. Previous studies have shown that the most important risk factors for PTSD include the type, severity, and duration of exposure to the traumatic events.METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was used to investigate the psychological symptoms associated with the aftermath of a snowstorm disaster in the Hunan province of China in January 2008. Students living in Hunan were surveyed at a three-month follow-up after the disaster.

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Reasons for not receiving treatment in people with posttraumatic stress disorder following war

The aim of the study was to explore why people suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following war do not receive treatment. A total of 212 participants who have PTSD following war in the Balkans and have never received psychiatric treatment were interviewed (86 in Western Europe and 126 in Balkan countries). Answers were subjected to thematic content analysis.

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PTSD and the Law: an update

Thirteen years ago, this journal published “PTSD and the Law” (Pitman & Sparr, 1998), a review that examined developments and state of the art in law, forensic evaluation, and expert testimony, providing specific forensic guidance that continues to be critically relevant in today’s courtroom. At the time, PTSD was characterized as a growth stock in the world of mental illnesses.

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Psychology of popular media culture

Psychology of Popular Media Culture (PPMC) is a scholarly journal dedicated to publishing empirical research and papers on how popular culture and general media influence individual, group, and system behavior. The journal will solicit rigorous research studies, as well as data-driven theoretical papers on constructs, consequences, program evaluations, and trends related to popular culture and various media sources. Although the journal welcomes and encourages submissions from a wide variety of disciplines, topics should be linked to psychological theory and research.

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Psychopharmakologische Therapie der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung: Akutbehandlung und Strategien bei Therapieresistenz = Psychopharmacological treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and treatment strategies in therapy resistance

Die Posttraumatische Belastungsstörung (PTBS) ist in den vergangenen Jahren durch verschiedene Großschadensereignisse und aufsehenerregende Berichterstattungen vermehrt ins Bewusstsein von Bevölkerung, Ärzten und Psychotherapeuten getreten. Vor diesem Hintergrund nimmt die Diskussion über Behandlungsmöglichkeiten einen immer größeren Stellenwert ein. Obwohl dabei die psychotherapeutische Behandlung Mittel der ersten Wahl ist, stehen auch gute, evidenzbasierte psychopharmakologische Behandlungsmöglichkeiten zur Verfügung.

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Psychosocial assistance and decentralized mental health care in post conflict Burundi (2000-2008)

AbstractIn 2000 the nongovernmental organisation (NGO) HealthNet TPO started mental health and psychosocial support services in Burundi, a country that has been severely affectedby civil war. Within a time frame of eight years, a wide range of mental health and psychosocial services were established, covering large parts of the country. During the programme period the NGO activities shifted from the delivery of direct services to capacity building activities aimed at embedding psychiatric services and psychosocial assistance withinexisting local health services and social systems.

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Psychiatrische Begutachtung im Asylverfahren = Psychiatric expert opinions on asylum seekers in Germany

OBJECTIVE To investigate the frequency of traumatisation, suicidality and given diagnoses in expert opinions on asylum seekers and to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of this population. METHODS The psychiatric expert opinions on asylum seekers, furnished in an 8-year-period at Hannover Medical School, were analysed retrospectively for qualitative and quantitative characteristics. RESULTS 62 psychiatric expert opinions on asylum seekers were included in this study. The asylum seekers originated from 18 different countries, mainly from Turkey and former Yugoslavia.

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Predicting stabilizing treatment outcomes for complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Dissociative Identity Disorder: an expertise-based prognostic model

The purpose of this study was to develop an expertise-based prognostic model for the treatment of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociative identity disorder (DID). We developed a survey in 2 rounds: In the first round we surveyed 42 experienced therapists (22 DID and 20 complex PTSD therapists), and in the second round we surveyed a subset of 22 of the 42 therapists (13 DID and 9 complex PTSD therapists). First, we drew on therapists' knowledge of prognostic factors for stabilization-oriented treatment of complex PTSD and DID.

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Postdisaster psychological intervention since 9/11

A wealth of research and experience after 9/11 has led to the development of evidence-based and evidence-informed guidelines and strategies to support the design and implementation of public mental health programs after terrorism and disaster.

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Posttraumatic growth associated with a relative's serious illness.

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) involves personal psychological growth in response to a traumatic or very stressful event. Using theoretical guidance from Tedeschi and Calhoun's cognitive model, this study evaluated the relationship between specific individual, distress, and stress-processing factors and PTG among young adults who experienced an illness-related trauma earlier in life through a relative's serious illness. Sixty individuals with a relative with a serious illness completed measures of PTG, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), anxiety, and coping.

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