The influence of symptoms of prolonged grief disorder, depression, and anxiety on quality of life among bereaved adults: A prospective study

Objective
Research has shown that symptoms of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD, formerly called Complicated Grief) are distinct from those of depression and anxiety, and have incremental validity in that they predict impairments in functioning, independent of depression and anxiety. This study sought to replicate these findings using a prospective design, a heterogeneous sample of mourners, and the most recent criteria to define PGD.
Method

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A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Augmentation Topiramate for Chronic Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Background: Topiramate, a novel anticonvulsant, has been reported to rapidly reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in an open-label trial. The present study was designed as a test of topiramate's efficacy as adjunctive therapy in a 7-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Methods: Forty male veterans with PTSD in a residential treatment program were randomized to flexible-dose topiramate or placebo augmentation. The primary outcome measures were PTSD symptom severity and global symptom improvement.

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Cognitions in children with OCD: a pilot study for age specific relations with severity

Cognitive theory, postulates that dysfunctional cognitions play a maintaining or even aetiological role in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In this study it was hypothesised that if distorted cognitions play a central role in OCD, there should be a relation between cognitive measures and the severity of the obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a childhood OCD sample. A group of 39 children and adolescents with a primary diagnosis OCD was measured on the CY-BOCS, and on the cognitive questionnaires the MTQ, and the CATS.

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Properties of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) as screening instruments used in primary care in Afghanistan

Abstract
Background
Recent epidemiological studies in Afghanistan using mental health questionnaires yielded high prevalence rates for anxiety and depression.
Objectives
To explore the validity in the Afghan cultural context of two mental health questionnaires, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20).
Methods

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Five essential elements of immediate and mid-term mass trauma intervention: empirical evidence

Given the devastation caused by disasters and mass violence, it is critical that intervention policy be based on the most updated research findings. However, to date, no evidence–based consensus has been reached supporting a clear set of recommendations for intervention during the immediate and the mid–term post mass trauma phases.

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Preventing Violence and Terrorism and Promoting Positive Relations Between Dutch and Muslim Communities in Amsterdam

ManyWestern European countries have seen increasing tension between local communities
and immigrant groups, especially Muslims, with mutual grievances. These
tensions have been more apparent and stronger since 9/11/2001. Intensified by further
terrorist attacks, the war on terror, and the fear of terrorism, negative attitudes toward
Muslim populations have been increasing. While relevant to many European
countries, this article focuses on the conditions and relationships between groups in

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Internet resources on the mental health and psychosocial care for children and adolescents

The internet is an enormously rich source of information, but its richness can also be its weakness. How do you find what you need? How do you know that what you find can be trusted? In this contribution we will present a selection of some internet resources on psychosocial and mental health aspects for children and adolescents that we have found to be useful for work in post-conflict settings in low and middle-income countries.

IFRC Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support http://psp.drk.dk/sw30190.asp

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Torture narratives and the burden of giving evidence in the Dutch asylum procedure

Asylum requests by victims of torture who have fled to the Netherlands are often rejected. In these cases, the torture stories of the asylum seekers have failed to convince officials judging their asylum request. The author studied the cases of asylum seekers whose claims were first rejected, but then supported by Amnesty International, and eventually, after a court appeal, received residency. The author, therefore, concludes that the initial rejections are the result of the manner in which these asylum seekers were interrogated by civil servants of the immigration authority.

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Community based volunteers as partners for agencies working with formerly abducted children and youth: experiences from northern Uganda

The 20 year conflict in northern Uganda between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis. Agencies working in the sector of psychosocial support over the years have developed a concept to work closely with community members who are made responsible for many of the community based activities. This article describes the experiences of these community volunteer counsellors (CVCs).

Keywords: abducted children, community volunteer counsellors (CVCs), counselling

 

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Peer counsellors training with refugees from Iraq: A Jordanian case study

The author trained 49peer counsellors in two refugee camps, over the course of 2004, and traced the impact of their work until the end of 2005 at the request of CARE International in Jordan. The article gives an overview of the training content and strategies, as well as the process of integrating peer counselling as a self-help tool into a community that is affected by ongoing stress and trauma. ‘Peer counselling’ was understood as a process of mutual support that addresses people in need in their respective environment and also therefore includes components of community social work.

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