The impact of cultural differences in self-representation on the neural substrates of posttraumatic stress disorder

A significant body of literature documents the neural mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there is very little empirical work considering the influence of culture on these underlying mechanisms.

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Monitoring and Evaluating Psychosocial Intervention Outcomes in Humanitarian Aid

Existing tools for evaluating psychosocial interventions (un-validated self-reporting questionnaires) are not ideal for use in non-Western conflict settings. We implement a generic method of treatment evaluation, using client and counsellor feedback, in 18 projects in non-Western humanitarian settings. We discuss our findings from the perspective of validity and suggestions for future research. A retrospective analysis is executed using data gathered from psychosocial projects.

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Patient experience of negative effects of psychological treatment : results of a national survey

Background
To make informed choices, patients need information about negative as well as positive effects of treatments. There is little information about negative effects of psychological interventions.
Aims
To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for perceived negative effects of psychological treatment for common mental disorders.
Method

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Group-delivered cognitive/exposure therapy for PTSD in women veterans : A randomized controlled trial

Objective: Group delivery of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment has several advantages, however group research is not comparable to individual trials. This study extends the group literature by improving methodology in examining the efficacy of a 3-module (cognitive, exposure, skills) group treatment for PTSD, establishes a format for the delivery of group exposure therapy, and compares 3 treatment modules within the group.

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Perpetuating the cycle of violence in South African low-income communities : attraction to violence in young men exposed to continuous threat

Background: Life in the low-income urban communities of South Africa is imprinted by a cycle of violence in which young males predominantly are in the roles of both victim and perpetrator. There is some evidence that adolescents who show an attraction to cruelty can display high levels of psychosocial functioning despite the presence of posttraumatic stress symptoms. However, the role of appetitive aggression in the context of ongoing threats and daily hassles is not yet fully understood.

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Psychometric properties of the Trauma and Distress Scale, TADS, in an adult community sample in Finland

Background: There is increasing evidence that a history of childhood abuse and neglect is not uncommon among individuals who experience mental disorder and that childhood trauma experiences are associated with adult psychopathology. Although several interview and self-report instruments for retrospective trauma assessment have been developed, many focus on sexual abuse (SexAb) rather than on multiple types of trauma or adversity.

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Maternal and child reflective functioning in the context of child sexual abuse : pathways to depression and externalising difficulties

Background: Sexual abuse is a well-recognised risk factor for child psychopathology. Little is known regarding whether child and maternal mentalization can be considered a potential resource or protective factor in this context, respectively, mediating or moderating the relationship between sexual abuse and psychopathology.

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Dissociative symptoms are associated with reduced neuropsychological performance in patients with recurrent depression and a history of trauma exposure

Background: Although preliminary work suggests that dissociative symptoms may impact neuropsychological performance in trauma-exposed populations, the relation between dissociation and cognitive performance has not been explored in patients with depression.
Objective: The present study examined dissociative symptoms in relation to neuropsychological performance in participants with a primary diagnosis of recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD) and a history of trauma exposure.

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Five years of European Journal of Psychotraumatology

Five years ago, the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) launched European Journal of Psychotraumatology (EJPT) (Olff, 2010). Knowing very little about the world of publishing and in particular about Open Access, it was quite an adventure! Somewhat idealistic, and after having been convinced that Open Access is the future publishing model, we performed a detailed search among potential publishers and found Co-Action Publishing, a relatively small Swedish publisher but with a great deal of experience in journals publishing and with a passion for Open Access.

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The relationship between posttraumatic stress symptoms and narrative structure among adolescent terrorist-attack survivors

Background: The structure of trauma narratives is considered to be related to posttraumatic stress symptomatology and thus the capacity to make a coherent narrative after stressful events is crucial for mental health.

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