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Attachment styles, traumatic events, and PTSD: a cross-sectional investigation of adult attachment and trauma
- Authors:
- O'CONNOR Maja, ELKLIT Ask
- Journal article citation:
- Attachment and Human Development, 10(1), March 2008, pp.59-71.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The aim of the present study was to examine the association between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adult attachment in a young adult population. A sample of 328 Danish students (mean age 29.2 years) from four different schools of intermediate education level were studied by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS), the Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC), the Crisis Support Scale (CSS), the Coping Style Questionnaire (CSQ), and the World Assumption Scale (WAS). Attachment styles were associated with number of PTSD symptoms, negative affectivity, somatization, emotional coping, attributions, and social support. The distribution of attachment styles in relation to PTSD symptoms could be conceived as uni-dimensional.
Making a bad thing worse: effects of communication of results of an epidemiological study after an aviation disaster
- Authors:
- VERSCHUUR M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 65(7), October 2007, pp.1430-1441.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Cognitions attributing health complaints to disaster exposure are associated with more severe health complaints and are therefore a promising target for interventions. Little is known about the best strategy to modify such cognitions following exposure to a technological disaster at the community level. In 1992, a Boeing 747 crashed in a residential area in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Persisting rumours about the possible toxic cargo of the plane led to increasing health concerns among the residents and rescue workers involved in the disaster. The current study investigates (a) the effectiveness of providing information on the health consequences of exposure to the aviation disaster to residents and rescue workers with varying degrees of exposure to the disaster, and (b) individual characteristics which may moderate the effectiveness of the health information provided. A total of 1019 rescue workers and 453 residents involved with varying degrees in the disaster participated in an epidemiological investigation and 1736 rescue workers and 339 residents, all involved, participated in an individual medical examination. Participants were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks after communication of the results of the epidemiological study. Main outcome measures evaluated health anxiety, somatic sensitivity, reassurance by a physician, psychopathology, post-traumatic stress symptoms, fatigue and quality of life. All participants reported elevated levels of psychopathology and fatigue, increased anxiety and uncertainties about their health 6 weeks after communication of the study results irrespective of the degree of exposure to the disaster. In particular, the conviction that health complaints were caused by toxic exposure was related to more severe health complaints and worries in both rescue workers and residents. Our study shows that communication about the health consequences of exposure to an aviation disaster at the community level has no symptom reducing or reassuring effects. Tailoring of the communication to individual characteristics such as existing expectancies may enhance its impact.
Risk factors for psychological and physical health problems after a man-made disaster: prospective study
- Authors:
- DIRKZWAGER Anja J. E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 189(2), August 2006, pp.144-149.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
There are few prospective studies on risk factors for health problems after disasters in which actual pre-disaster health data are available. The aim was to examine whether survivors' personal characteristics, and pre-disaster psychological problems, and disaster-related variables, are related to their post-disaster health. Two studies were combined: a longitudinal survey using the electronic medical records of survivors' general practitioners (GPs), from 1 year before to 1 year after the disaster, and a survey in which questionnaires were filled in by survivors, 3 weeks and 18 months after the disaster. Data from both surveys and the electronic medical records were available for 994 survivors. After adjustment for demographic and disaster-related variables, pre-existing psychological problems were significantly associated with post-disaster self-reported health problems and post-disaster problems presented presented to the to the GP. This association was found for both psychological and physical post-disaster problems. In trying to prevent long-term health consequences after disaster, early attention to survivors with pre-existing psychological problems, and to those survivors who are forced to relocate or are exposed to many stressors during the disaster, appears appropriate.
Impact of psychological trauma on the development of psychotic symptoms: relationship with psychosis proneness
- Authors:
- SPAUWEN Anneke, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 188(6), June 2006, pp.527-533.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The reported link between psychological trauma and onset of psychosis remains controversial. The article examines associations between self-reported psychological trauma and psychotic symptoms as a function of prior evidence of vulnerability to psychosis (psychosis proneness). At baseline, 2524 adolescents aged 14–24 years provided self-reports on psychological trauma and psychosis proneness, and at follow-up (on average 42 months later) participants were interviewed for presence of psychotic symptoms. Self-reported trauma was associated with psychotic symptoms, in particular at more severe levels (adjusted OR 1.89, 95% CI1.16–3.08) and following trauma associated with intense fear, helplessness or horror. The risk difference between those with and without self-reported trauma at baseline was 7% in the group with baseline psychosis proneness, but only 1.8% in those without (adjusted test for difference between these two effect sizes: 2=4.6, P=0.032). Exposure to psychological trauma may increase the risk of psychotic symptoms in people vulnerable to psychosis.
Adult Attachment Interview differentiates adolescents with childhood sexual abuse from those with clinical depression and non-clinical controls
- Authors:
- VAN HOOF Marie-Jose, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Attachment and Human Development, 17(4), 2015, pp.354-375.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Although attachment representation is considered to be disturbed in traumatized adolescents, it is not known whether this is specific for trauma, as comparative studies with other clinical groups are lacking. Therefore, attachment representation was studied by means of the Adult Attachment Interview in adolescents with Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) (N = 21), clinical depression (N = 28) and non-clinical controls (N = 28). Coherence of mind and unresolved loss or trauma, as well as the disorganized attachment classification differentiated the CSA group from the clinical depression group and controls, over and above age, IQ, and psychiatric symptomatology. In the current era of sustained criticism on criteria-based classification, this may well carry substantial clinical relevance. If attachment is a general risk or vulnerability factor underlying specific psychopathology, this may guide diagnostic assessment as well as treatment. (Publisher abstract)
Lack of perceived social support among immigrants after a disaster: comparative study
- Authors:
- DROGENDIJK Annelieke N., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 198(4), April 2011, pp.317-322.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
It is suggested that immigrant groups affected by a disaster receive less emotional support than their native counterparts. However, it is unclear whether these differences existed before or can be attributed to post-disaster mental health problems. The authors examined the association between lack of social support, immigration status and victim status, as well as differences in support between immigrants and Dutch natives with disaster-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Social support and psychological distress were assessed among immigrants and Dutch native, affected and non-affected, individuals 2-3 weeks, 18 months and four years after a devastating explosion in a firework storage facility. The disaster–affected group initially consisted of 1567 residents; the control group comprised 640 non-exposed adults from a different part of the Netherlands. Affected immigrants more often lacked various kinds of perceived social support compared with affected Dutch natives. However, no differences in support were seen between affected immigrants and non-affected immigrants. Immigrants with PTSD differed on only two out of six aspects of support from the Dutch natives with PTSD. The authors conclude that differences in support between immigrants and Dutch natives were largely present before the disaster rather than being a consequence of the disaster.
Improving parent–child interactions in maltreating families with the Attachment Video-feedback Intervention: parental childhood trauma as a moderator of treatment effects
- Authors:
- VAN DER ASDONK Sabine, CYR Chantal, ALINK Lenneke
- Journal article citation:
- Attachment and Human Development, 23(6), 2021, pp.876-896.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Research is demonstrating the effectiveness of attachment-based interventions for maltreating families. However, parents’ own traumatic childhood experiences may interfere with treatment effects. The current study investigated in a sample of maltreating families whether effects of the Attachment Video-feedback Intervention (AVI) on parent–child interactive quality were moderated by parental childhood trauma. Families were randomized to receive AVI (n = 29) or a Psychoeducative intervention (PI; n = 19), or they were in anon-randomized comparison group (RS; n = 40). Parents filled out the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and videotapes of parent–child interactions were coded for interactive quality. Parents who received AVI showed improved parent–child interactive quality compared to parents in PI and RS groups. However, parents with more severe levels of childhood trauma showed less improvements. Future research should explore whether clinical attention with a specific focus on trauma would increase treatment effects. (Edited publisher abstract)
The intergenerational impact of trauma and family violence on parents and their children
- Authors:
- LUNNEMANN M.K.M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse and Neglect, 96, 2019, p.104134.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Background: Children who experience Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) are at an increased risk of becoming a victim of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) or a perpetrator of IPV or CAN. Moreover, maltreated children are at risk for developing long-lasting trauma symptoms, which can subsequently affect their own children’s lives. Understanding the mechanisms of the intergenerational transmission of violence and trauma is a prerequisite for the development of interventions. Objective: This study examines whether the relation between historical CAN and current trauma symptoms of mothers is mediated by current IPV. Furthermore, this study also investigate whether current CAN mediates the relation between current maternal trauma symptoms and child Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. These mechanisms are compared for mothers and fathers. Participants: This study recruited 101 fathers and 360 mothers (426 children, 50% boys, mean age 7 years) through child protection services. Methods: Respondents completed questionnaires about IPV, (historical) CAN and trauma symptoms.Results: Structural equation models revealed that historical CAN of father and mothers was related to trauma symptoms. Only for mothers, this association was mediated by IPV. Trauma symptoms of both fathers and mothers were related to child PTSD symptoms. This effect was not mediated by current CAN. Conclusion: In violent families, maternal and paternal trauma can be transmitted over generations. However, intergenerational transmission of violence is found for mothers only. When family violence is reported, professionals should take the violence into account, as well as the history of parents and trauma symptoms of all family members. (Edited publisher abstract)
How do youth in foster care view the impact of traumatic experiences?
- Authors:
- STEENBAKKERS Anne, VAN DER STEEN Steffie, GRIETENS Hans
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 103, 2019, pp.42-50.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
... themselves how they experience the impact of traumas prior to living in a foster family. Episodic narrative interviews were conducted with 13 youth aged 15–23 (formerly) residing in family foster care in the Netherlands. The interviews were subjected to open coding and organized in themes and sub-themes using thematic analysis. The impact youth experienced from traumas in the past could be grouped in three (Edited publisher abstract)
Life after violence: a study on how women with intellectual disabilities cope with violence they experienced in institutions
- Authors:
- HOLLA Juultje, SMITS Jose
- Publisher:
- Inclusion Europe
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 89
- Place of publication:
- Belgium
Based on 10 in-depth interviews, this report highlights issues faced by women with intellectual disabilities who have experienced violence in institutions in the Netherlands. The research investigated: What types of violence women experience, and what violence is specific to institutions?; What women do to deal with this violence?; What happened when they move to a smaller setting or out of the institution all together?; How their experiences influence their opportunities to develop an life included in the community; and What would support women to deal with these trauma’s? The report’s recommendations include the need for inclusive education, putting an end to the institutionalisation and segregation of women with intellectual disabilities, and support in the community. (Edited publisher abstract)