Genetics, childhood trauma, and biased information processing as risk factors for mental disorders

The studies presented in the current dissertation cover three well known risk factors for mental health problems: genetic vulnerability (the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism), childhood trauma, and cognitive biases. We took both a disorder-specific approach (depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): DSM-5; APA, 2013) and a more transdiagnostic approach to assess these risk factors for mental health problems.

Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for Moral Trauma (BEP-MT) : treatment protocol description and a case study

ABSTRACT

Background: Traumatic events can be related to severe transgressions or violations of moral boundaries. Moral injury (MI) has been described as ‘the lasting psychological, biological, spiritual, behavioral and social impact of perpetrating, failing to prevent, or bearing witness to acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations.’ These events can provoke emotions such as remorse, guilt and shame, and affects someone’s self-image and identity.

 

Demanding and effective : participants’ experiences of internet-delivered prolonged exposure provided within two months after exposure to trauma

Background: The use of remotely delivered early intervention after trauma may prevent and/or reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Our research group evaluated a novel three-week therapist-guided internet-delivered intervention based on prolonged exposure (Condensed Internet-Delivered Prolonged Exposure; CIPE) in a pilot trial. The results indicated that the intervention was feasible, acceptable and reduced symptoms of post-traumatic stress at post-intervention compared to a waiting-list condition.

Resilience after natural disasters : the process of harnessing resources in communities differentially exposed to a flood

Background: Disasters negatively impact mental health and well-being. Studying how people adapt and recover after adversity is crucial for disaster preparedness and response.

 

Prevalence and determinants of secondary posttraumatic growth following trauma work among medical personnel : a cross sectional study

Background: People helping trauma victims as a part of their work may experience positive results, known as Secondary Posttraumatic Growth (SPTG).

 

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of SPTG among medical personnel, considering occupational load, job satisfaction, social support, and cognitive processing of trauma, understood as cognitive coping strategies.

 

MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD : a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents a major public health problem for which currently available treatments are modestly effective. We report the findings of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-site phase 3 clinical trial (NCT03537014) to test the efficacy and safety of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted therapy for the treatment of patients with severe PTSD, including those with common comorbidities such as dissociation, depression, a history of alcohol and substance use disorders, and childhood trauma.

 

Prolonged grief disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression following traffic accidents among bereaved Balinese family members : Prevalence, latent classes and cultural correlates

Introduction: Qualitative studies have described the rather unique styles of Balinese people to adjust to adversity. No quantitative research assessing psychopathology among bereaved individuals has been performed yet. This study estimated the prevalence of prolonged grief disorder (PGD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among bereaved individuals after traffic deaths in Bali and the relations between subgroups sharing the same symptoms and cultural, socio-demographic characteristics and posttraumatic growth (PTG).
 

Rich false memories of autobiographical events can be reversed

False memories of autobiographical events can create enormous problems in forensic settings (e.g., false accusations). While multiple studies succeeded in inducing false memories in interview settings, we present research trying to reverse this effect (and thereby reduce the potential damage) by means of two ecologically valid strategies. We first successfully implanted false memories for two plausible autobiographical events (suggested by the students’ parents, alongside two true events).

 

Symptoms of prolonged grief disorder as per DSM-5-TR, posttraumatic stress, and depression : Latent classes and correlations with anxious and depressive avoidance

Bereavement may precipitate significant mental health problems. Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is included in section 2 of the forthcoming DSM-5 text-revision (DSM-5-TR). Research using earlier criteria of disordered grief showed that bereaved people may have distinct symptom patterns—including high, low, and comorbid symptomatology.

 

Pages