European Journal of Psychotraumatology最新文献

{"title":"PTSD Symptoms change in response to a brief intensive trauma-focused treatment programme in non-veterans and veterans with war-related PTSD.","authors":"Kirsten M Reij, Ad de Jongh, Ernst Paul Swens, Eline M Voorendonk","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2511571","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2511571","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Evidence suggests that veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are less likely to benefit from trauma-focused treatment than are patients with PTSD who have not been exposed to war-related trauma. However, new developments in PTSD treatment that combine several evidence-based trauma-focused therapies within a short time frame may help veterans achieve outcomes similar to those of non-veterans.<b>Objective:</b> In this retrospective cohort study, we examined changes in PTSD symptoms and diagnostic status after treatment between veterans and non-veterans. The treatment consisted of a four- or eight-day intensive trauma-focused treatment programme that integrated prolonged exposure, EMDR therapy, psycho-education, and physical activities.<b>Methods:</b> The sample consisted of 43 veterans and 43 non-veterans, matched based on age, sex, starting date, and duration of treatment. Participants were assessed pre- and post-treatment using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale-5 (CAPS-5). The differences in CAPS-5 scores over time and between groups were modelled using Bayesian repeated-measures ANOVA. We performed Bayesian model averaging to quantify the differences in PTSD symptom changes between groups, based on treatment response, using the exclusion Bayes factor (<math><mi>B</mi><msub><mi>F</mi><mrow><mi>EXCL</mi></mrow></msub></math>).<b>Results:</b> PTSD symptoms in both veterans and non-veterans decreased between pre- and post-treatment (Cohen's <i>d</i> = 2.17 and 1.54, respectively). Furthermore, we found moderate evidence of no differences in CAPS-5 scores between the groups (<i>BF</i>_EXCL = 4.8) or between the groups over time (<i>BF</i>_EXCL = 4.9). Although a greater proportion of veterans showed improvement according to the reliable change index than non-veterans (83.7% and 74.4%, respectively), there was no difference between the groups in terms of loss of diagnostic status after treatment (74.4% for veterans and 76.7% for non-veterans).<b>Conclusion:</b> This study provides evidence that veterans with war-related PTSD can benefit from brief intensive, trauma-focused treatment and does not support the notion that veterans need a different treatment approach in such settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2511571"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12180348/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144324837","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tracking changes in anxiety, depression, and stress among Ukrainian university students: a three-wave study from the COVID-19 pandemic to two years of ongoing full-scale war.","authors":"Lyudmyla Kolisnyk, Mimi Yung Mehlsen","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2543616","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2025.2543616","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Since 2020, modern youth in Ukraine have faced an exceptionally challenging period, first enduring the burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic and then being thrust into the full-scale war, characterized by persistent traumatic exposure. Given the profound and lasting psychological consequences of such crises, it is essential to monitor the long-term impact of war on youth mental health. However, despite the urgency of this issue, longitudinal studies with large, diverse samples remain scarce.<b>Objective:</b> This study aims to track changes in anxiety, depression, and stress and explore their associations with demographic and educational variables among university students in Ukraine, from the COVID-19 pandemic through two years of full-scale war.<b>Method:</b> Data were collected online at three time points over four years from independent samples of students from 27 higher education institutions across 12 Ukrainian cities. A total of 757 students participated in 2020, 2,592 in 2023, and 838 in 2024, all completing anonymous questionnaires. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a General Linear Model were used to analyse the results.<b>Results:</b> The findings revealed a significant increase in anxiety, depression, and stress levels among university students during the transition from the pandemic to wartime conditions. Women reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, while students aged 15-25 exhibited poorer mental health than those aged 26-55. Although students across all fields of study experienced heightened distress in 2023, those in technical disciplines were the only group to show a decline in 2024.<b>Conclusions:</b> Ukrainian youth have been living under high levels of distress for more than four years, with little indication of improvement. The results highlight the urgent need for targeted strategies in prevention, intervention, and treatment of anxiety, depression, and stress among university students and other vulnerable young adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2543616"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144947934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Considering Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist influences on daily emotion regulation and affect in Chinese Australian trauma survivors.","authors":"Marcus Lai, Larissa Shiying Qiu, Haoxiang Li, Belinda J Liddell, Asami Koike, Joshua Wong, Joshua Wong, July Lies, Winnie Lau, Richard A Bryant, Laura Jobson","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2518813","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2518813","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>ABSTRACT</b><b>Background:</b> Confucianist, Buddhist and Taoist teachings offer insight into emotion processing for members of East Asian cultures. Emerging research also suggests distinguishing Confucianism into restrictive (focused on restricting self-needs for the greater good), and empowering (emphasising self-improvement) facets, and this distinction may be relevant for emotional processes. However, research has not considered how endorsement of these teachings influence emotion regulation among East Asian trauma survivors.<b>Objective:</b> This study presents a secondary analysis from a larger study on cultural differences in emotion regulation, and explored how levels of adherence to these teachings influence daily emotion regulation and affective outcomes among Chinese Australian trauma survivors.<b>Method:</b> Chinese Australian trauma survivors (<i>n</i> = 49) completed a baseline questionnaire assessing trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology and endorsement of Confucianism (restrictive and empowering), Buddhism, and Taoism. Participants then completed ecological momentary assessments (EMA) measuring daily use of suppression, acceptance and interpersonal emotion regulation and both positive and negative affect over seven days.<b>Results:</b> First, Taoism was positively associated with the use of daily acceptance, and Buddhism was positively associated with daily use of interpersonal emotion regulation. Second, Taoism moderated the positive relationship between acceptance and positive affect, whereby the strength of this association increased as Taoism endorsement increased. Taoism also moderated the relationship between interpersonal emotion regulation and both positive and negative affect, such that the associations were only significant for participants with higher levels of Taoism. Both restrictive and empowering Confucianism also moderated the negative association between acceptance and negative affect, with this association only being significant for individuals with low levels of empowering Confucianism and high levels of restrictive Confucianism.<b>Conclusions:</b> Our findings provide preliminary indications that the Three Teachings of East Asia may influence emotion regulation and associated affective outcomes among Chinese trauma survivors, highlighting a need for further research.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2518813"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12210399/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144526954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Terror-bereaved parents experiences of professional help and support: a qualitative analysis.","authors":"Anita Fjærestad, Signe Hjelen Stige, Atle Dyregrov, Pål Kristensen","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2529743","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2529743","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>ABSTRACT</b><b>Background:</b> After the loss of a child, bereaved parents typically experience profound grief and face an increased risk of both physical and mental health challenges. Research shows that bereaved parents need support, but there is limited knowledge on their experiences with receiving help.<b>Objective:</b> To explore how bereaved parents following the 2011 Utøya terror attack have experienced the help they have received.<b>Method:</b> Bereaved parents (<i>n</i> = 22) were interviewed nine years post loss. The interview guide had questions about their experiences with grief and trauma, the impact of other life events and their experience of professional help. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.<b>Results:</b> Participants' experiences were found to represent three different pathways: (1) Receiving help, but not feeling helped, (2) Securing the help they needed and (3) Feeling left alone - mismatch between the help received and the help needed. Across all pathways, participants described helpful meetings with professionals, constructed as the cross-cutting theme: 'Seen but gently challenged'.<b>Conclusion:</b> Our findings demonstrate that bereaved parents are not a homogenous group, which emphasises the need for individualised interventions. Although most parents appear to have received some form of professional support, it was not always proactive or continuous. As a result, some parents struggled to access the right help when they needed it. Those who did manage to secure appropriate support were often those with the resources to seek it out. Although our data do not fully clarify which factors influence this disparity, it is evident that across all pathways, parents reported positive interactions with professionals. The issue, therefore, seems less about the competence of helpers and more about ensuring access to this expertise. However, the current study also reveals that some bereaved individuals lacked access to the right type of help, while others were unable to utilise the help.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2529743"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12312212/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144741751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Longitudinal predictors of alcohol use and problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in an at-risk veteran sample.","authors":"Angela J Zaur, Dongho Shin, Jasmine Lewis, Robert A Perera, William C Walker, Amma Agyemang, Tara Austin, Cooper Hodges, Sarah L Martindale, Mary Jo Pugh, Ananda B Amstadter, Christina M Sheerin","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2534310","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2534310","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Individuals with pre-existing heavy alcohol use, prior traumatic exposures, and psychiatric disorders were considered an at-risk group for increased alcohol use and problems in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.<b>Objective:</b> This study recruited from a multi-centre longitudinal cohort study of US military service members/veterans with combat exposure to examine the trajectories of alcohol use and problems in the context of a prolonged stressor.<b>Methods:</b> Individuals who endorsed heavy drinking and completed a measure of PTSD symptoms prior to the pandemic were invited to participate in a longitudinal survey study at three time points, three months apart, during the second year of the pandemic. Participants (<i>N</i> = 44) completed surveys assessing alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems (via the AUDIT), PTSD symptoms (via the PCL-5), and infection mitigation behaviours (via a COVID-19 specific survey). Random intercept models were fitted to the longitudinal data for each of these outcomes, covarying for demographics, pandemic quarantine/physical distancing experience, pre-pandemic baseline alcohol consumption and PTSD symptoms, and time-varying alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems as well as PTSD symptoms.<b>Results:</b> We did not find an increase in alcohol consumption or problems over time. However, pre-pandemic alcohol consumption predicted alcohol consumption over time (<i>B</i> = 0.52, SE = 0.11, <i>p</i> < .01). Time-varying alcohol consumption and PTSD symptoms predicted alcohol problems over time (<i>B</i> = 0.84, SE = 0.18, <i>p</i> < .01; <i>B</i> = 0.04, SE = 0.02, <i>p</i> < .05, respectively).<b>Conclusions:</b> Findings highlight the relevance of pre-existing hazardous alcohol consumption prior to stressors as well as ongoing consumption and PTSD symptoms as risk factors for alcohol-related problems. Findings captured more chronic impacts of pandemic stressors and demonstrated that heavy drinking and PTSD are notable risk factors for alcohol-related problems even if in the context of stabilizing, albeit still high, alcohol use.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2534310"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12322980/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144774900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using genomic structural equation modeling to examine the genetic architecture of PTSD and life satisfaction phenotypes.","authors":"Shannon E Cusack, Anna W Wright, Peter B Barr, Emily Notari, Kaitlin E Bountress, Ananda B Amstadter","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2463187","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2463187","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective:</b> Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and life satisfaction phenotypes are inversely related on a phenotypic level. Given these established relations, researchers have begun to examine possible shared genetic contributions to these outcomes, though the existing genetic literature is sparse and examines these relations via univariate methods. We sought to examine the genetic architecture of PTSD and six life satisfaction and well-being phenotypes (i.e. subjective well-being, friend satisfaction, life satisfaction, family satisfaction, work satisfaction, and financial satisfaction) using a multivariate approach.<b>Method:</b> We used Genomic Structural Equation Modeling (gSEM) to analyze summary-level genetic data from large-scale GWAS of the European Ancestry.<b>Results:</b> Findings show that a two, correlated factors model fit the data best, in which PTSD and life satisfaction phenotypes load on separate but correlated factors.<b>Conclusions:</b> Findings suggest that, using multivariate methods, a latent factor capturing many different positive phenotypes is genetically related to PTSD. This finding confirms and extends prior phenotypic work demonstrating that PTSD and positive phenotypes are inversely related.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2463187"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11823395/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143398677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Painful, but necessary: a qualitative process evaluation on patient experiences with modified prolonged exposure as early intervention after rape (the EIR study).","authors":"Tina Haugen, Marianne Kjelsvik, Oddgeir Friborg, Berit Schei, Cecilie Therese Hagemann, Joar Øveraas Halvorsen","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2524892","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2524892","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Early trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy may help reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms in individuals recently exposed to sexual assault. In Norway, specialized Sexual Assault Centres (SACs) provide psychosocial support to survivors of sexual assault, yet the effectiveness of these services remains uncertain. The Early Intervention after Rape (EIR) study is a multisite randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of modified prolonged exposure therapy (mPE) compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in alleviating post-traumatic stress symptoms shortly after rape.<b>Objective:</b> This qualitative study explores patients' experiences with participating in the EIR study and receiving mPE as early psychosocial intervention at three SACs in Norway.<b>Method:</b> We interviewed 15 patients, 10 receiving mPE and five receiving TAU.<b>Results:</b> Thematic analysis revealed that patients found participation in the EIR study beneficial and meaningful, and that it was facilitated by a respectful and a trauma-competent research team. Patients favoured psychosocial support that directly addressed the traumatic event over non-specific focus on everyday concerns and recommended integrating mPE into the SAC's psychosocial support services.<b>Conclusion:</b> This study provides insights into the experiences of women receiving psychosocial support at SACs after recent sexual assault. It highlights clinical and practical challenges in implementing a novel intervention and conducting a multisite RCT, whilst at the same time identifying opportunities to enhance evidence-based support, ensuring alignment with survivors' preferences and recovery process.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2524892"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12272704/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144648904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Supporting those bereaved by cancer: a service evaluation and investigation of cognitive behavioural mechanisms in the treatment of prolonged grief.","authors":"Kirsten V Smith, Graham R Thew, Sarah C Carr, Paris R Congrave, Susie Rudge, Erin H Thompson","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2545144","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2545144","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Individuals bereaved by cancer face significant emotional challenges, often experiencing prolonged grief disorder (PGD), PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Effective interventions are needed to target these mental health problems. This study evaluates the outcomes of the specialist bereavement charity, The Loss Foundation's therapeutic group intervention designed for individuals grieving a cancer-related loss.<b>Methods:</b> A total of 68 participants, enrolled across five cohorts, received a short-term group intervention targeting cognitive-behavioural factors and self-compassion. Due to recruitment limitations, randomized analyses were underpowered, therefore a broader service evaluation was performed, combining data from 2016 and 2018 cohorts. The primary outcome was PGD symptoms measured by the PG-13, with secondary outcomes examining PTSD, depression, anxiety, and self-compassion. Process measures were memory characteristics, grief appraisals, maladaptive coping strategies, and social disconnection. Data were analysed using linear mixed-effects models.<b>Results:</b> Significant reductions were observed in symptoms of PGD (<i>d</i> = 0.65 at 3-month follow-up), PTSD, depression, and anxiety, with improvements in self-compassion (<i>d</i> = 0.53). Cognitive-behavioural process measures also showed significant changes, particularly in memory characteristics and negative appraisals, though social disconnection did not significantly change. Exploratory analyses indicated that lower baseline negative appraisals predicted better treatment outcomes. Attrition was minimal after the intervention began, though approximately 25% of participants did not provide follow-up data.<b>Conclusions:</b> The group intervention demonstrated positive effects on grief-related and mental health outcomes, supporting the use of cognitive-behavioural approaches in cancer bereavement. However, further randomized trials with larger samples are needed to confirm these findings and address limitations related to randomization and data completeness.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2545144"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12406324/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144947944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Spring PGD</i> versus waiting list control in the treatment of prolonged grief disorder (PGD): protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT).","authors":"Catrin Lewis, Michelle Smalley, David M Phillips, Gabriella Dattero Snell, Bronwen Thomas, Janice Wong Sing Yun, Jonathan I Bisson","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2554031","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2554031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is characterised by persistent longing or preoccupation with a deceased loved one, accompanied by intense emotional pain that lasts six-months or more and significantly impairs functioning. While Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with a grief focus is effective, access is limited due to high costs and therapist shortages. Guided digital therapy, which delivers psychological support via an app or website with professional guidance, may offer a scalable solution. Building on the success of a guided digital intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this study evaluates a similar intervention for PGD in a UK-based randomised controlled trial (RCT).<b>Objective:</b> This study aims to assess the acceptability and feasibility of <i>Spring PGD</i>, a co-produced guided digital therapy for PGD, in preparation for a future definitive RCT.<b>Methods:</b> This exploratory, randomised, parallel-group controlled trial will allocate 42 participants in a 1:1 ratio to either immediate access to <i>Spring PGD</i> or a waiting list control group. After 11 weeks, control participants will cross over to receive <i>Spring PGD</i>. The primary outcome measure is the Prolonged Grief 13 Revised (PG-13-R). A nested process evaluation will explore fidelity, adherence, and programme theory through interviews with purposively sampled participants and therapists.<b>Results:</b> Findings will provide preliminary data on the acceptability, engagement, and feasibility of <i>Spring PGD</i>, informing the design of a future definitive RCT.<b>Conclusions:</b> If <i>Spring PGD</i> shows promise, it could offer an accessible, scalable treatment for PGD, particularly in areas with limited access to specialised mental health services. The results will contribute to understanding the potential of guided digital therapy in addressing gaps in PGD treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2554031"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12444956/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145074719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Studying the effects of digital arts-based interventions on teenagers' social media usage, brain connectivity, and mental health: study protocol of the SMART project.","authors":"Lucía Vaquero, Karleigh Groves, Eva Luna Muñoz-Vidal, Kevin James, J L Marlor, Christopher McIntyre, Lorena Ostia, Sean Sirota, Lindsay Shields, Franziska Degé, Elisa García-Mingo, Pablo Ripollés","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2550079","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2550079","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Social media (SM) has become ubiquitous among youth. However, which SM activities are beneficial or detrimental for the wellness of children and adolescents is still under debate. While some reports highlight positive outcomes of SM in learning, social interaction, and wellbeing, other investigations suggest that the overuse of SM induces decreased attention, cognitive, and emotional control, and increases mental-health related disorders (e.g. depression and anxiety). Interestingly, the cognitive and emotional functions negatively affected by the intense use of SM, as well as some of its neural underpinnings, have been previously and consistently reported to benefit from music and arts-based interventions.<b>Objectives:</b> The protocol for the 'Social Media Artistic tRaining in Teenagers (SMART)' project (ClinicalTrial: NCT06402253) is presented here: digital art-based interventions will be used to teach adolescents how to use SM in more goal-oriented and stimulating ways, in the context of learning music or photography composition/editing through specific open-source software.<b>Methods:</b> Participants (aged 13-16) will be evaluated before and after completing a 3-month music or photography composition/editing intervention programme. Participants will also provide weekly measures of SM usage and mood. A matched passive control group will also be recruited, evaluated, and followed for 3 months. Evaluations will include cognitive (attention), mood, and mental-health (depression, stress, anxiety, self-esteem) measures, as well as functional and structural connectivity and morphological biomarkers obtained via MRI and MEG techniques.<b>Discussion:</b> We expect observable changes in self-reported use and attitudes towards SM, and benefits in attention, mood, and mental-health measures, as well as in the neural substrates supporting these processes. The data we plan to collect will confirm or challenge these expectations, aiming to improve our understanding of the impact of SM overuse on brain function, cognitive state, and mental health. Our findings could also inform potential strategies to mitigate SM negative effects.<b>Trial registration:</b> ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06402253..</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2550079"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12444961/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145074815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}