Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms,Aggression, and Substance Use Coping among Young Adults

This study examined how the symptom clusters of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were related to substance use and self-reported aggression in a college sample. There were 358 participants (ages 18–24) who completed surveys to assess PTSD symptoms, substance use as coping, and aggression. Hierarchical regressions tested for the effects of PTSD symptoms (total symptoms as well as cluster symptoms) on self-reported aggression, along with the main and interaction effects of substance use coping on these relationships. The hyperarousal cluster of PTSD was the only group of symptoms significantly related to aggression. There was an interaction between avoidance symptoms and substance use coping on aggression such that under conditions of high substance use coping, aggression increased regardless of avoidance symptoms; however, the relationship between avoidance and aggression was stronger under conditions of low substance use coping, with greater aggression as avoidance symptoms and low substance use coping increased.     

Childhood Psychological Trauma and First‐Year College Students' Substance Dependence

First‐year college students (N= 143) completed the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory‐3 and a questionnaire about childhood traumatic experiences. As the number of traumatic experiences increases, so does the likelihood of substance use in college.     

Emotional Constriction and Risk for Posttraumatic Stress: The Roles of Trauma History and Gender

Research suggests there are qualitative differences in emotionality across gender, with men being more emotionally constrictive than women. Constrictive emotionality has consistently been linked to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and because men are generally more emotionally constrictive, one could infer they are at increased risk for PTSD. However, research demonstrates that twice as many women are diagnosed with PTSD than men. In an undergraduate sample, men reported significantly greater emotional constriction, but significantly less posttraumatic stress severity in comparison to women. The gender differences in emotional constriction disappeared in a subsample of students who endorsed experiencing an upsetting event. Emotional constriction mediated the relationship between trauma and posttraumatic stress severity, although it was a stronger mediator for women than men.     

Duty-Related Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in 911 Telecommunicators: The Roles of Childhood Trauma Exposure and Emotion-Focused Coping

A history of childhood trauma exposure has been linked to the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms in adulthood following new exposure. Unhealthy coping behaviors that could develop or be utilized in response to early trauma could lend themselves to psychological issues in adulthood. Emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies in relation to stressful duty-related situations are examined as indirect pathways through which childhood trauma exposure could be associated with duty-related posttraumatic stress symptoms in 911 telecommunicators (N = 808). Multiple mediation models revealed that 3 of the 4 emotion-focused coping strategies, but not the problem-focused strategies, functioned as significant mediators in the association between childhood exposure and duty-related posttraumatic stress symptoms. Pairwise comparisons showed that self-controlling and escape-avoidance strategies were the strongest pathways of the indirect childhood trauma exposure–posttraumatic stress symptoms association. Implications of results regarding coping in response to new traumatic events in adulthood and potential research and intervention directions are discussed.     

A Novel,Integrated Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Co-Occurring Posttraumatic Stress and Substance Use Disorders: A Case Study

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders (SUD) are complex psychiatric conditions that commonly co-occur. No preferred, evidence-based treatments for PTSD/SUD comorbidity are presently available. Promising integrated treatments have combined prolonged exposure therapy with cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention therapy for SUD. We describe a case study that showcases a novel, integrated cognitive-behavioral treatment approach for PTSD/SUD, entitled Treatment of Integrated Posttraumatic Stress and Substance Use (TIPSS). The TIPSS program integrates cognitive processing therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy for SUD for the treatment of co-occurring PTSD/SUD. The present case report, based upon a woman with PTSD comorbid with both cocaine and alcohol dependence, demonstrates that TIPSS has the potential to effectively reduce PTSD symptoms as well as substance use.     

Breast Cancer as Trauma: Posttraumatic Stress and Posttraumatic Growth

Diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been associated with both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and posttraumatic growth (PTG). This cross-sectional study sought to assess the frequency, common predictors, and interrelationships of PTSD symptoms and PTG in breast cancer survivors (n = 65). In this sample, symptoms of PTSD and reports of PTG were common and were not significantly related to one another. Greater social constraints on talking about breast cancer and perception of cancer as a traumatic stressor were associated with greater PTSD symptomatology. Younger age and perception of cancer as a traumatic stressor were associated with greater PTG. Findings suggest the central role of subjective appraisal in adjustment to cancer. Psychosocial interventions should be sensitive to the potential for PTG, both in treatment design and in assessment of outcomes.     

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Review and Analysis

Only recently has the mental health community recognized the applicability of diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents, including a consideration of specific age-related features. This paper provides a current review of the literature on PTSD pertaining to children and adolescents. Following a discussion of issues on diagnostic criteria and assessment of this affective disorder in this population, there is an overview of the existing literature on prevalence, comorbidity, risk factors, parental and family factors, and issues of gender and age of onset. The remainder of the paper focuses on the range of traumatic stressors in children and adolescents that can result in PTSD, including natural or human disasters, war and violence, chronic or life-threatening medical conditions, community violence and the witnessing of traumatic events, and physical and/or sexual abuse and other forms of interpersonal violence. Throughout the paper, there is an emphasis on the importance of considering developmental factors. Finally, implications of the existing literature for future areas of research are addressed.     

Gender Differences in Trauma Types and Themes in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Background: This study aimed to determine whether there were gender differences in trauma types and cognitive-emotional themes among veterans with deployment-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: Case notes or writing excerpts from two pilot studies were reviewed to determine types of traumas and emerging themes, with 20 women and 31 men comprising the sample. Results: Most women developed PTSD after sexual assault, with reactions emphasizing mistrust, betrayal, and anger. Men experienced more combat, with reactions including survivor guilt, moral injury, and horror. Conclusions: Both genders developed PTSD, but the causes of and reactions to their traumas differed. Emerging themes can be useful treatment foci.     

大学生自我认同感的差异

通过访谈法自编大学生自我认同感调查问卷,对某大学100名在校本科学生进行调查,统计分析得出：（1）男女大学生在家庭认同上差异最为显著（df=1,x^2=7．272．p〈O．01）,在姓名认同（df=l,x^2=3．898,p〈O．05）、性别认同（df=l,x^2=4.034,p〈0．05）、容貌认同（df=l,x^2=4．061,p〈O．05）也存在蓿显著的差异;（2）文理科大学生在家庭认同上存在着显著性差异（df=l,x^2=5．394,p〈O．05）;（3）城镇与农村大学生在学习成绩认同上存在着显著性差异（df=l,x^2=4.823,p〈0.05）。     

Research Note: Happiness among Kuwaiti College Students

Happiness was assessed in 140 Kuwaiti students by means of a single item self-report. Its retest reliability after one week was good (r=+0.86). It is argued that single question suffices for measuring states like happiness. Average happiness appeared to be quite low compared to students in other countries. Possible reasons for the low level of happiness among Kuwaiti college students are discussed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Individual Differences as Predictors of Illicit Drug Use Among Turkish College Students

ABSTRACT

Although the prevalence of drug use in the young adult population in Turkey is still far below the figures reported for most European Union countries and the United States, there seems to be a noteworthy increase in drug use, especially among high school and college students. The purpose of the present study was to examine the extent of drug use among college students in Turkey and to identify some of the individual-difference variables associated with drug use. Participants were 781 college students. A survey package including (a) measures of sensation seeking–risk taking, self-esteem, affectivity level, global mental health, overall life satisfaction, and the rate and nature of substance use and (b) demographic questions was administered to the participants during regularly held class meetings. A logistic regression analysis revealed that sensation seeking?risk taking, parental education level, smoking, and frequency of alcohol use predicted illicit drug experience. Implications of the findings and limitations of the study are discussed using the context of the study as a framework.     

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity and Emotion Regulation in Acute-Care Psychiatric Inpatients: Associations With Suicidality

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology has been positively associated with suicidality (suicidal ideation and attempts), but less is known about factors that might exacerbate that association. The present study examined the main and interactive effects of PTSD symptom severity and difficulties in emotion regulation in association with four suicidality outcomes. Participants included 128 adults in an acute-care psychiatric inpatient setting. Results revealed that PTSD symptom severity was significantly incrementally associated with self-reported suicidal ideation (ß = .30, p = .02). Difficulties in emotion regulation were significantly associated with suicide as the reason for current admission (p = .01). The interactive effect of PTSD symptom severity and difficulties in emotion regulation was significant only for self-reported suicidal ideation (ß = .24, p < .001). Participants with high levels of PTSD symptom severity and difficulties in emotion regulation exhibited the highest level of suicidal ideation. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.     

大学生心理压力感基本特点的调查研究

本研究采用自编的大学生心理压力感问卷对全国 1 3所大学共 2 0 0 7名大学生的心理压力感状况进行了调查研究。结果表明 :(1 )在大学生群体中心理压力感的主要来源依次有学业压力、学校环境压力、情绪压力、择业压力和人际压力 ,大都是社会环境方面的原因 ;(2 )从大学生心理压力感的年级发展趋势看 ,二、三年级的大学生在各方面的压力感均高于一、四年级 ;(3 )女生在择业和学业压力感方面高于男生 ,男生在家庭、恋爱、身体健康、适应和挫折方面的压力感高于女生 ;(4)来自乡村的大学生在家庭、择业和学校环境方面的压力感高于来自城市的大学生 ;(5)在家庭、择业、学校环境和学业压力感方面非独生子女高于独生子女     

Exposure to War Trauma, War-Related PTSD, and Psychological Impact of Subsequent Hurricane

This study explored the impact of psychological outcomes to war on response to subsequent natural disaster. Participants were 312 military personnel, 66% of whom saw Gulf War duty. All were exposed to the 1992 Hurricane Andrew. Troops were compared on reported traumatic events, hurricane impact responses, and psychological symptoms in subgroups defined by war or no war exposure prior to hurricane and by presence or absence of war-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Data were gathered in face-to-face clinical assessments. War trauma prior to hurricane was associated with more reported traumatic events, greater fears for safety during the hurricane, and heightened psychological symptoms. Troops with preexisting war-related PTSD showed more adverse psychological hurricane sequelae and reported more traumatic events, higher depression, anxiety, anger, PTSD symptoms, and physical symptoms, and lower self-esteem than those free of diagnoses. Results point to the negative influence of exposure to one traumatic event on the experience of and response to a subsequent stressor.     

Religious Faith and Substance Problems in Undergraduate College Students: A Replication

The present study examined the relations between religious faith and alcohol and drug problems in undergraduate college students at a large public university in the Southeastern United States. The Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire—Short Form and the Alcohol Problems and Drug Problems scales of the Personality Assessment Inventory were given to 303 undergraduate students. Findings indicated that religious faith was inversely associated with drug and alcohol problems in both males and females. Implications of these findings are discussed.     

在校大学生捐精现状调查分析

了解在校大学生对捐精、精子库及供精人工授精后代的认知及其影响因素。对河南省4所高校在校学生发放“河南省在校大学生捐精认知调查问卷”进行调查,并进行统计学分析。结果显示,大多数学生知道捐精,但了解程度不够。男生、独生子女、医学生、城市学生对捐精知识的认知程度较高;影响捐精的主要因素为捐精知识的宣传程度、捐精对健康的影响等;担心个人隐私泄露、后代之间恋爱或结婚是在校大学生不支持捐精的主要原因。