European Journal of Psychotraumatology最新文献

{"title":"Methods for integrating public datasets: insights from youth disaster mental health research.","authors":"Alexa Riobueno-Naylor, Isabella Gomez, Sarah Quan, Chloe Hutt Vater, Mauricio Montes, Barbora Hoskova, Betty S Lai","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2481699","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2481699","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Weather-related disasters pose significant risks to youth mental health. Exposure to multiple disasters is becoming more common; however, the effects of such exposure remain understudied. This study demonstrates the application of integrative data approaches and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles to evaluate the relationship between cumulative disaster exposure and youth depression and suicidality in the United States, taking into account contextual factors across levels of social ecology.<b>Methods:</b> We combined data from five public sources, including the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), United States Census Bureau, Center for Homeland Defense and Security School Shooting Safety Compendium, and Global Terrorism Database. The integrative dataset included 415,701 youth from 37 districts across the United States who completed the YRBS between 1999 and 2021. The YRBS served as the core dataset.<b>Results:</b> This data note highlights strategies for harmonizing diverse data formats, addressing geographic and temporal inconsistencies, and validating integrated datasets. Automated data cleaning and visualization techniques enhance accuracy and efficiency. Planning for sensitivity analyses before data cleaning is recommended to improve the data integration process and enhance the robustness of findings.<b>Discussion:</b> This integrative approach demonstrates how leveraging FAIR principles can advance trauma research by facilitating large-scale analyses of complex public health questions. The methods provide a replicable framework for examining population-level impacts of phenomena and highlight opportunities for expanding trauma research.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2481699"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143771858","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":"The perceived burden of working with traumatized youth: construction and psychometric investigation of the Trauma Professionals' Burden Scale (TPBS).","authors":"Katharina Szota, Hanna Christiansen, Josephine Maya Fuchs, Anna Swantje van der Meer","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2470087","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2470087","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> It is assumed that providing trauma-informed care for children and adolescents is a major challenge for professionals in child and youth welfare, psychiatric clinics and psychotherapy practices, yet studies are scarce. This is partly due to the fact that valid instruments that capture the specific stress caused by working with traumatized youths are missing. Our study aims to present the construction and results of the psychometric investigation of a scale that addresses the concerns, strains and needs of professionals, the Trauma Professionals' Burden Scale (TPBS).<b>Methods:</b> In our cross-sectional survey with youth psychotherapists, welfare professionals and psychiatric care staff (<i>N</i> = 834), the psychometric properties of the TPBS were examined using standard item and reliability analyses, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Convergent validity was assessed by testing the hypothesis that two TPBS subscales show high positive correlations with two established scales.<b>Results:</b> After deletion of eleven items, the remaining items of the TPBS show good discriminatory power, allowing to discriminate between participants with high or low scores, and high factor loadings. CFA results indicate fair model fit (RMSEA = .081, CFI = .81). Internal consistencies of the subscales range from <i>ω</i> = .76 to <i>ω</i> = .89. The expected correlations with the established scales are confirmed. A six-item short scale was created, showing excellent model fit (RMSEA = .047, CFI = .99) and good internal consistency (<i>ω</i> = .88).<b>Conclusions:</b> Although further validating research is required, the present study supports the psychometric validity of the TPBS enabling to assess professionals' stress associated with providing trauma-informed care for youth.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2470087"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11900103/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143566347","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":"The impact of trauma and how to intervene: a narrative review of psychotraumatology over the past 15 years.","authors":"Miranda Olff, Irma Hein, Ananda B Amstadter, Cherie Armour, Marianne Skogbrott Birkeland, Eric Bui, Marylene Cloitre, Anke Ehlers, Julian D Ford, Talya Greene, Maj Hansen, Nathaniel G Harnett, Debra Kaminer, Catrin Lewis, Alessandra Minelli, Barbara Niles, Nicole R Nugent, Neil Roberts, Matthew Price, Anthony N Reffi, Soraya Seedat, Antonia V Seligowski, Anka A Vujanovic","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2458406","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2458406","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To mark 15 years of the European Journal of Psychotraumatology, editors reviewed the past 15-year years of research on trauma exposure and its consequences, as well as developments in (early) psychological, pharmacological and complementary interventions. In all sections of this paper, we provide perspectives on sex/gender aspects, life course trends, and cross-cultural/global and systemic societal contexts. Globally, the majority of people experience stressful events that may be characterized as traumatic. However, definitions of what is traumatic are not necessarily straightforward or universal. Traumatic events may have a wide range of transdiagnostic mental and physical health consequences, not limited to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research on genetic, molecular, and neurobiological influences show promise for further understanding underlying risk and resilience for trauma-related consequences. Symptom presentation, prevalence, and course, in response to traumatic experiences, differ depending on individuals' age and developmental phase, sex/gender, sociocultural and environmental contexts, and systemic socio-political forces. Early interventions have the potential to prevent acute posttraumatic stress reactions from escalating to a PTSD diagnosis whether delivered in the golden hours or weeks after trauma. However, research on prevention is still scarce compared to treatment research where several evidence-based psychological, pharmacological and complementary/ integrative interventions exist, and novel forms of delivery have become available. Here, we focus on how best to address the range of negative health outcomes following trauma, how to serve individuals across the age spectrum, including the very young and old, and include considerations of sex/gender, ethnicity, and culture in diverse contexts, beyond Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) countries. We conclude with providing directions for future research aimed at improving the well-being of all people impacted by trauma around the world. The <i>15 years EJPT webinar</i> provides a 90-minute summary of this paper and can be downloaded here [http://bit.ly/4jdtx6k].</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2458406"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11803766/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143255077","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":"Raising a child bereaved by domestic homicide: caregivers' experiences.","authors":"Eva Alisic, Arend Groot, Hanneke Snetselaar, Tielke Stroeken","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2463277","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2463277","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Optimising support for children and families affected by fatal family violence requires understanding all aspects of their experience. So far, little is known regarding the views of those who provide a home to children bereaved due to parental intimate partner homicide.<b>Objective:</b> The aim of the current study was to provide an in-depth exploration of the experiences of caregivers raising children after the loss of a parent due to intimate partner homicide.<b>Method:</b> Within the context of a mixed-methods study among 22 caregivers (16 female, 6 male, aged 33 to 71 years old) related to 35 children and young people (19 female, 16 male), bereaved due to parental intimate partner homicide in the Netherlands, we conducted a reflexive thematic analysis of the qualitative caregiver interviews.<b>Results:</b> Based on caregivers' accounts, we conceptualised four interrelated and ongoing challenges: (1) bringing the children into the family fold; (2) dealing with the perpetrator and relatives; (3) managing underprepared services; and (4) enduring it, mentally and physically. Sticking with their commitment to the children despite these challenges, caregivers also pointed to the potential for positive outcomes or turns of events, and recounted experiences of finding or making meaning.<b>Conclusions:</b> The complexity of the challenges the caregivers in our study faced and their remarkable commitment and perseverance underscore the importance of concerted, continuing efforts to understand and respond to families' needs in the aftermath of parental intimate partner homicide. We discuss practical implications regarding caregivers' assessment of children's needs, mental health care, information provision and agency, mediation of family conflict, provision of respite care, addressing financial and practical needs, and long-term and equitable access to support. We also propose a research agenda involving evaluation of current protocols, in-depth qualitative research, quantitative analyses (where possible based on pooled data), and intervention studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2463277"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11843627/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143457245","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":"Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as treatment of childhood-trauma related post-traumatic stress disorder (Ch-PTSD) in adults: effects on Schema Modes.","authors":"Martine Daniëls, Marie-Louise Meewisse, Annet Nugter, Sophie A Rameckers, Eva Fassbinder, Arnoud Arntz","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2454191","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2454191","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Many patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to childhood trauma (Ch-PTSD) also suffer from comorbid personality pathology. Little is known about the effectiveness of treatments for Ch-PTSD in reducing the comorbid personality pathology. Schema Modes are an operationalization of personality pathology according to schema therapy and can be measured with the Schema Mode Inventory (SMI). Therefore, we evaluated the effects of two treatments for adult patients with Ch-PTSD on Schema Modes.<b>Method:</b> Participants (<i>n</i> = 114) of the Imagery Rescripting and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (IREM) Randomized Clinical Trial (Boterhoven de Haan, K. L., Lee, C. W., Fassbinder, E., Voncken, M. J., Meewisse, M., Van Es, S. M., Menninga, S., Kousemaker, M., & Arntz, A. (2017). Imagery rescripting and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for treatment of adults with childhood trauma-related post-traumatic stress disorder: IREM study design. <i>BMC Psychiatry</i>, <i>17</i>(1), 1-12, Boterhoven de Haan, K. L., Lee, C. W., Fassbinder, E., van Es, S. M., Menninga, S., Meewisse, M.-L., Rijkeboer, M., Kousemaker, M., & Arntz, A. (2020). Imagery rescripting and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing as treatment for adults with post-traumatic stress disorder from childhood trauma: Randomised clinical trial. <i>The British Journal of Psychiatry</i>, <i>217</i>(5), 609-615) with Ch-PTSD who filled in the SMI next to other outcomes, were randomly allocated to a 12-session treatment of Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). The SMI was collected at waitlist, pre-treatment, mid-treatment, posttreatment, and 8-week and 1-year follow-up.<b>Results:</b> For both treatments, patients reported large reductions in the Maladaptive Schema Modes and improvements in the Adaptive Schema Modes (Cohen's <i>d</i> = .94-1.18) from pre-treatment to posttreatment, 8-week follow-up, and 1-year follow-up. No statistically significant differences were found between ImRs and EMDR regarding changes in Schema Modes over time. No significant changes were observed during the waitlist period.<b>Conclusions:</b> ImRs and EMDR showed improvements in Schema Modes when primarily targeting Ch-PTSD. The results indicate the possible value of both treatments in reducing comorbid personality pathology.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2454191"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11809175/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143363823","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":"Maximizing expectancy violation and exposure outcomes in patients with PTSD.","authors":"Marike J Kooistra, Maartje Schoorl, Danielle A C Oprel, Willem van der Does, Rianne A de Kleine","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2024.2447183","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2024.2447183","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> It has been proposed that maximizing expectancy violation enhances the efficacy of exposure therapy. The clinical utility of expectancy violation remains unclear and it has not yet been studied in PTSD.<b>Objective:</b> We aimed to test whether explicitly focusing on expectancy violation leads to superior exposure outcomes.<b>Method:</b> Adult treatment-seeking patients with PTSD (<i>N</i> = 60) were randomly assigned to one 90-minute exposure session focusing on either expectancy violation or a control condition without an expectancy focus. Assessments occurred before the session and one week later, measuring changes in fear responses during a script-driven imagery task, and PTSD symptoms.<b>Results:</b> Using multilevel analyses, we found no between-condition differences. On average, fear responses to the imagery and PTSD symptoms decreased over time. The expectancy violation condition exhibited a greater decrease in threat appraisal, which appeared to mediate symptom reduction.<b>Conclusions:</b> We found no evidence that explicitly focusing on expectancy violation led to superior immediate effects. However, it may lead to more changes in expectancies which could affect symptom improvement over an extended period. Further research is needed to determine whether emphasizing expectancy violation in exposure therapy for PTSD is advantageous.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2447183"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11721951/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142946947","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":"Therapists perspectives on the Early Intervention after Rape study: a qualitative process evaluation of a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Tina Haugen, Joar Øveraas Halvorsen, Oddgeir Friborg, Berit Schei, Cecilie Therese Hagemann, Marianne Kjelsvik","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2024.2443279","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2024.2443279","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>ABSTRACT</b><b>Background</b>: Early interventions using trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy have the potential to alleviate post-traumatic stress symptoms in individuals who have experienced recent sexual assault. Specialized Sexual Assault Centers (SACs) in Norway offers psychosocial support, however, this support varies across SACs and its efficacy has not been researched. The Early Intervention after Rape (EIR) study is a multisite randomized controlled trial designed to assess the efficacy and effectiveness of training SAC nurses and social workers to deliver a modified version of prolonged exposure therapy shortly after rape.<b>Objective</b>: This article aims to present a qualitative process evaluation of the implementation of the EIR study across three SACs in Norway, from the perspective of nurses and social workers.<b>Method</b>: We conducted semi-structured interviews with fifteen nurses and social workers, ten of whom received training in prolonged exposure therapy (mPE). We used Thematic Analysis to identify themes and subthemes.<b>Results</b>: Thematic analysis yielded four significant themes for process evaluation: (1) The quality of the new intervention modified prolonged exposure was considered satisfactory through training and supervision and delivered with good adherence to the manual, although some therapists perceived the manual as too rigid; (2) Adoption dynamics within the SACs are complex and include both enthusiasm for clinical research as well as resistance to change; (3) Narrow inclusion criteria and burden with participation for patients may limit reach and representativeness of the RCT; (4) Unintended consequences were identified, such as delayed start, conflicting advices and cross-contamination, underscoring the ongoing necessity for process evaluation alongside RCTs.<b>Conclusion</b>: This qualitative process evaluation offers insight into real-world clinical challenges with implementing a new intervention and conducting a multisite RCT within SACs in Norway. This study may inform opportunities to advance evidence-based practices for rape survivors seeking help.<b>Trial registration:</b> ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05489133..</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2443279"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11721860/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142946963","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":"Effectiveness of an intensive outpatient treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy for adolescents and young adults with PTSD in a naturalistic setting.","authors":"Elvira M Rentinck, Rosa van Mourik, Ad de Jongh, Suzy J M A Matthijssen","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2451478","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2451478","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adolescents and young adults are hampered by high dropout rates. Looking at the results from adult treatments, short, intensive, outpatient treatment programmes may offer a promising alternative, but it has yet to be tested in this young population.<b>Objective:</b> To assess the results of a six-day intensive outpatient trauma-focused treatment programme for young individuals (12-25 years) with PTSD. The treatment combined prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy, supplemented with physical activity and the participation of relatives and/or friends. Treatment was performed by a rotating team of therapists.<b>Methods:</b> Seventy-four adolescents and young adults (89% women, mean age = 18.6 years, 36 patients aged 12-17 and 38 patients aged 18-25; <i>SD</i> = 3.1) with PTSD and a minimum of four memories of A-criterion traumatic events participated in the programme. PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and the perceived burden of trauma symptoms were assessed before treatment, at the start and one month after treatment.<b>Results:</b> Patients showed a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms from pre-treatment to one month after treatment (Cohen's <i>d</i> = 1.66). Of all patients, 52 (70%) showed a clinically meaningful response, and 48 (65%) no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD one month after treatment. Depressive symptoms also decreased significantly (Cohen's <i>d</i> = 1.02). The dropout rate was 4% (<i>N</i> = 3). None of the patients experienced an adverse event or worsening of symptoms.<b>Conclusions:</b> Results suggest that a short, intensive, outpatient therapy programme combining prolonged exposure, EMDR therapy, physical activity, and participation of relatives and friends, is well-tolerated, and an effective and safe treatment alternative for adolescents and young adults with PTSD due to multiple traumatization.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2451478"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11753006/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143002854","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":"Perceived social support, emotional self-disclosure, and posttraumatic growth in children following a typhoon: a three-wave cross-lagged study.","authors":"Zijian He, Yifan Li, Yingying Ye, Xiao Zhou","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2478793","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2478793","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective:</b> We aimed to elucidate the temporal relationship between perceived social support, emotional self-disclosure and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in children.<b>Method:</b> The super typhoon Lekima occurred on August 10, 2019, in China. Three waves of self-report questionnaires were administered to children at 3 months (T1, <i>N </i>= 1596), 15 months (T2, <i>N</i> = 1072), and 27 months (T3, <i>N </i>= 483) following the typhoon. The main analysis was based on data from 351 children who completed all three waves of assessment. We constructed cross-lagged panel models to examine temporal associations between perceived social support, emotional self-disclosure, and posttraumatic growth.<b>Results:</b> Controlling for trauma exposure, age, gender, monthly income of family and parental marital status, results revealed that perceived social support at T1 and T2 was longitudinally related to emotional self-disclosure and PTG at T2 and T3. Emotional self-disclosure at T1 and T2 positively connected with perceived social support and PTG at T2 and T3. However, PTG did not relate to subsequent perceived social support. Mediation analyses revealed that perceived social support at T1 was positively connected with PTG at T3 through emotional self-disclosure at T2, and that emotional self-disclosure at T1 was positively connected with PTG at T3 through perceived social support at T2.<b>Conclusions:</b> These results demonstrated that perceived social support and emotional self-disclosure were mutually reinforcing, and both could facilitate PTG among children. Post-disaster psychological interventions could work to enrich social support resources and encourage children's emotional self-disclosure.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2478793"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11966979/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143763512","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":"The lived experiences of childhood trauma in war: has post-traumatic growth occurred?","authors":"Marzie Hashemi, Maryam Mahmoudzadeh","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2468605","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2468605","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> This study seeks to explore the Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) condition, a transformative psychological process that promotes improved cognitive functioning and resilience in individuals who suffered childhood trauma, including those affected by the Iran-Iraq war. PTG denotes positive psychological changes, such as enhanced reasoning abilities and emotional strength (Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. <i>Psychological Inquiry</i>, 15(1), 1-18)).<b>Method:</b> This study views trauma responses as complex and multidimensional, including not only negative outcomes but also coping strategies and psychological growth. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 11 participants who witnessed the Iran-Iraq war during childhood. Participants were from a broad spectrum of ethnic backgrounds, reflecting the multiethnic diversity of the war-affected areas. This is significant as their cultural background could affect how they process and heal from trauma due to the multiplicity of values, beliefs, and behaviours. Also, participants' socio-economic backgrounds ranged from low to middle-income, allowing for an investigation of how trauma and growth are impacted by financial resources and constraints. Data were analyzed using Moustakas's phenomenological analysis approach.<b>Results:</b> The findings revealed eight primary and twelve secondary themes ranging from psychological effects and long-term coping mechanisms and wartime recollections. The analysis also revealed distinct patterns of trauma symptoms and growth in adults approaching middle age. The available evidence points to the fact that, although the war-afflicted participants had to contantly live with the lingering effects of trauma across different stages of their lives, they continued to flourish and remain resilient with efficient stress management.<b>Conclusions:</b> The study emphasizes that, in theoretical terms, unexpected developmental steps are crucial, suggesting that childhood trauma, while commonly associated with negative outcomes, can also lead to growth and resilience in certain circumstances.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2468605"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11881655/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143540642","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}