Virtual reality exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a meta-analysis

Contrary to specific phobias, for which Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) constitutes an effective treatment, uncertainty still exists regarding the usefulness of VRET for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore, this meta-analysis investigated the efficacy of VRET for PTSD as compared to waitlist and active comparators. A literature search yielded nine controlled studies encompassing 296 participants (124 VRET, 172 controls).

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The prevalence of PTSD and major depression in the global population of adult war survivors : a meta-analytically informed estimate in absolute numbers

Background: Elevated prevalences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression (MD) have been reported in populations exposed to war. However, no global estimates of war survivors suffering from PTSD and/or MD in absolute numbers have been reported.

 

Objective: We made the first attempt to estimate in absolute numbers how many adult war survivors globally may suffer PTSD and/or MD, which should inform local and global mental health programmes.

 

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Exposure to potentially traumatic events in young Swiss men : associations with socio-demographics and mental health outcomes (alcohol use disorder, major depression and suicide attempts)

Background and objective: The aims of this study were to estimate the lifetime and 12- month prevalence of exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) in young men in Switzerland and to assess factors and mental health outcomes associated with such events.

 

Method: Data were drawn from the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C-SURF), encompassing 5,223 young men. Exposure to PTEs was assessed using the Post-traumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS), Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ) and Life Event Checklist (LEC).

 

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Development and validation of the Stressful Experiences in Transit Questionnaire (SET-Q) and its Short Form (SET-SF)

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that traumatic experiences from countries of origin (so-called pre-migratory factors), as well as stressors in countries of destination (so-called post-migratory factors), are related to the extent of mental health difficulties and psychological well-being of refugees. However, numerous risks that this population is exposed to during transit have so far been neglected.

 

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Translation and validation of the Chinese ICD-11 International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) for the Assessment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

Background: Two stress-related disorders have been proposed for inclusion in the revised ICD-11: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD). The International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) is a bespoke measure of PTSD and CPTSD and has been widely used in English-speaking countries.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to develop a Chinese version of the ITQ and assess its content, construct, and concurrent validity.

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Risk of childhood psychiatric disorders in children of refugee parents with post-traumatic stress disorder : a nationwide, register-based, cohort study

Background

Children of refugees are often exposed to the consequences of parental post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), potentially leaving them vulnerable to intergenerational transmission of psychopathology. The present study aimed to determine whether parental PTSD is associated with childhood psychiatric morbidity among children of refugees.

Methods

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Delivering integrated care after sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, ongoing armed conflict increases the incidence of gender-based violence (GBV) and presents a distinct and major barrier to care delivery for all survivors of GBV. A specific challenge is providing emergency contraception, HIV prophylaxis and treatment for sexually transmitted  infections to all survivors within 72 hours of violence. To address the multiple barriers to providing this time-sensitive medical care, Global Strategies and Panzi Hospital implemented the Prevention Pack Program.

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Multivariate genome-wide analysis of stress-related quantitative phenotypes

Exposure to traumatic stress increases the odds of developing a broad range of psychiatric conditions. Genetic studies targeting multiple stress-related quantitative phenotypes may shed light on mechanisms underlying vulnerability to psychopathology in the aftermath of stressful events. We applied a multivariate genome-wide association study (GWAS) to a unique military cohort (N=583) in which we measured biochemical and behavioral phenotypes.

 

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Intolerance of uncertainty predicts analogue posttraumatic stress following adverse life events

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is evidence that intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is associated with elevated post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms. There is a scarcity of research examining whether IU is prospectively related to PTS following exposure to negative life events. Using data from a Dutch student-sample, we examined the degree to which IU predicts post-traumatic stress symptoms associated with negative stressful life events (analogue posttraumatic stress (PTS)).

 

DESIGN: This was a prospective survey-study.

 

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The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies New Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder : Methodology and Development Process

Over the last two decades, treatment guidelines have become major aids in the delivery of evidence-based care and improvement of clinical outcomes. The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) produced the first guidelines for the prevention and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 2000 and published its latest recommendations, along with position papers on complex PTSD (CPTSD), in November 2018.

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