The Virtual ‘Caliphate’: Understanding Islamic State’s Propaganda Strategy

For too long, the immensity of Islamic State’s propaganda machine has obscured a rational understanding of it. The organisation’s media strategists are producing high-definition depictions of the most abhorrent brutality on an industrial scale, ensuring that jihadism is digitalised and brought firmly into the 21st century. The days when we saw grainy video footage played on Al Jazeera and propaganda was limited to stagnant speeches made by terrorist leaders are long gone.

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Trauma exposure and refugee status as predictors of mental health outcomes in treatment-seeking refugees

Aims and method This study aimed to identify predictors of symptom severity for
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in asylum seekers and refugees
referred to a specialised mental health centre. Trauma exposure (number and domain
of event), refugee status and severity of PTSD and depression were assessed in 688
refugees.
Results Symptom severity of PTSD and depression was significantly associated with
lack of refugee status and accumulation of traumatic events. Four domains of

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Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Associated with Premature Senescence? A Review of the Literature

Objective: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has major public health significance.
Evidence that PTSD may be associated with premature senescence (early or accelerated
aging) would have major implications for quality of life and healthcare policy.
We conducted a comprehensive review of published empirical studies relevant to
early aging in PTSD. Method: Our search included the PubMed, PsycINFO, and PILOTS
databases for empirical reports published since the year 2000 relevant to early

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Efficacy of an integrative CBT for prolonged grief disorder: A long-term follow-up

Abstract
Background
While some intervention trials have demonstrated efficacy in treating prolonged grief disorder (PGD), data on long-term treatment effects are scarce.
Methods

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Effectiveness of the implementation of guidelines for anxiety disorders in specialized mental health care

Objective
To examine the effect of implementing anxiety disorders guidelines on guideline adherence and patient outcomes in specialized mental health care.
Method
A treatment setting in which guidelines were implemented (intervention condition) was compared with one in which guidelines were only disseminated (control condition).
Results

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Role of morality in the experience of guilt and shame within the armed forces

Objective
Despite advances in our understanding of mental health issues among military forces, a large proportion of military personnel continue to exhibit deployment-related psychological issues. Recent work has identified symptoms of guilt and shame related to moral injury as contributing significantly to combat-related mental health issues. This systematic scoping review explores the association between morality and symptoms of guilt and shame within military forces.
Method

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Religion and the risk of suicide: longitudinal study of over 1 million people

Abstract
Background
Durkheim’s seminal historical study demonstrated that religious affiliation reduces suicide risk, but it is unclear whether this protective effect persists in modern, more secular societies.
Aims
To examine suicide risk according to Christian religious affiliation and by inference to examine underlying mechanisms for suicide risk. If church attendance is important, risk should be lowest for Roman Catholics and highest for those with no religion; if religiosity is important, then ‘conservative’ Christians should fare best.
Method

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Evaluation of cognitive restructuring for post-traumatic stress disorder in people with severe mental illness

Abstract
Background
A cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) programme designed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people with severe mental illness, including breathing retraining, education and cognitive restructuring, was shown to be more effective than usual services.
Aims
To evaluate the incremental benefit of adding cognitive restructuring to the breathing retraining and education components of the CBT programme (trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00494650).
Method

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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Versus Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a relatively common mental disorder, with an estimated lifetime prevalence of ∼5.7%. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are the most often studied and most effective psychotherapies for PTSD. However, evidence is inadequate to conclude which treatment is superior. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to confirm the effectiveness of EMDR compared to CBT for adult PTSD.

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The relationship between trauma, shame, and guilt: findings from a community-based study of refugee minors in Germany

Background: The relationships between traumatic stress and self-conscious emotions, such as shame and guilt, remain to be fully explored, especially in refugees, who frequently are exposed to a multitude of stressors.
Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate shame and guilt in refugee minors and to assess to what extent a greater cumulative exposure to traumatic stressors would result not only in more severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms but also in higher levels of shame and guilt.

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