{"title":"An online intervention designed to reduce self-stigma and increase help-seeking in Arabic-speaking refugees with posttraumatic stress symptoms: A randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Natalie Mastrogiovanni, Angela Nickerson","doi":"10.1002/jts.23168","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23168","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite elevated rates of psychopathology, refugees underutilize mental health services. Mental health self-stigma is a prominent barrier to accessing psychological support; however, there is limited research on intervention approaches to reduce self-stigma among refugees. The present study aimed to provide further support for the Tell Your Story (TYS) intervention in reducing self-stigma and increasing help-seeking among Arabic-speaking male and female refugees. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), 67 Arabic-speaking refugees with self-stigma and at least subthreshold posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) were randomly allocated to the TYS group or waitlist control group. At baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow-up, participants completed assessment measures indexing measures of self-stigma (related to symptoms and help-seeking) and help-seeking (intentions and behavior). Poisson regression analyses revealed that participants in the TYS group demonstrated more help-seeking behavior at 3-month follow-up than those in the waitlist control group, Hedges' g = 0.67. However, linear mixed models showed that the waitlist control group demonstrated larger decreases in PTSD-related self-stigma across time, T2: g = 0.07, T3: g = 0.04, whereas no significant group differences were observed for self-stigma related to help-seeking. Although the findings were mixed and suggest a need for further investigation in a larger RCT with a sample of refugee men and women, the results provide support for the intervention's utility in expanding one's help-seeking network in a population with low treatment uptake.</p>","PeriodicalId":17519,"journal":{"name":"Journal of traumatic stress","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144182435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joan M Cook, Amy E Ellis, Vanessa Simiola, Steve Martino, Chyrell Bellamy, Maria O'Connell, Nicholas A Livingston
{"title":"Peer online motivational interviewing and affirmative care for sexual and gender minority men who are survivors of sexual trauma: A randomized clinical trial.","authors":"Joan M Cook, Amy E Ellis, Vanessa Simiola, Steve Martino, Chyrell Bellamy, Maria O'Connell, Nicholas A Livingston","doi":"10.1002/jts.23170","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23170","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A randomized clinical trial was conducted comparing the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) versus MI with trauma-informed affirmative care (AC; i.e., MI+AC) to reduce adverse psychiatric symptoms and facilitate entry into formal mental health services for sexual and gender minority (SGM) men who experienced sexual trauma. The sample consisted of SGM men who were survivors of sexual trauma (N = 354, M<sub>age</sub> = 35 years, range: 18-75 years, 41.8% racial/ethnic minority), screened positive for depression, and were not actively engaged in mental health treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions (MI or MI+AC), each consisting of six online group sessions delivered by trained peers with lived experience of sexual trauma. Trained peers delivered both versions of MI as intended, with high fidelity and competence (independently rated), and assessments occurred at baseline, posttreatment, and 2- and 4-month follow-ups. SGM men in both conditions reported decreases in depression and increases in mental health service utilization, but there were no between-group differences in these outcomes over time. However, the results demonstrated superior efficacy of MI+AC regarding reducing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, B = -1.13, ΔR<sup>2</sup> = .001, p = .039, and barriers to health care seeking compared to MI, B = -2.00, ΔR<sup>2</sup> = .002, p = .009. These data support the value of enhanced AC that centers trauma and minority stress in treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":17519,"journal":{"name":"Journal of traumatic stress","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144182384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anica Pless Kaiser, Kathryn M Magruder, Frank W Weathers, Terence M Keane
{"title":"Commemorating the Vietnam War experience 50 years on: The impact and legacy of traumatic stress research with Vietnam veterans.","authors":"Anica Pless Kaiser, Kathryn M Magruder, Frank W Weathers, Terence M Keane","doi":"10.1002/jts.23166","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23166","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>At the 2024 annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, a panel of three esteemed scientists participated in a discussion of the history and impact of research focused on military veterans who served during the Vietnam War era and the legacy this work has had on the field of traumatic stress in the half-century since that time. Dr. Terence Keane has been at the forefront of traumatic stress research since the beginning and has guided the development of assessment measures, evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the field's understanding of the nature and impact of traumatic stress symptomatology. Dr. Kathryn Magruder has contributed to the understanding of the epidemiology of PTSD and related disorders and played a critical role in examining the long-term health and well-being of women Vietnam veterans. Dr. Frank Weathers has led the development and revisions of multiple measures, including the PTSD Checklist and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, the gold-standard tools for the screening and diagnosis of PTSD. The panel members' experience is wide-ranging, encompassing the study of the etiology of PTSD, contributions to large-scale epidemiological studies of PTSD, multisite clinical trials, and a focus on the reliable assessment of trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms. These individuals are leaders in the field who, over the course of their careers, have contributed in important ways to the understanding of trauma and PTSD. This panel discussion offered a retrospective review of the development of the traumatic stress field, with a focus on research specifically conducted with Vietnam veterans and the lessons learned from working with this important cohort of veterans.</p>","PeriodicalId":17519,"journal":{"name":"Journal of traumatic stress","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144173828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tanya C Saraiya, Krithika Prakash, Anu Asnaani, Sodah Minty, Ateka A Contractor
{"title":"Traumatic stress in the South Asian diaspora: A narrative review.","authors":"Tanya C Saraiya, Krithika Prakash, Anu Asnaani, Sodah Minty, Ateka A Contractor","doi":"10.1002/jts.23167","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23167","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The South Asian diaspora is one of the largest racial/ethnic diasporas in the world. Limited psychological research and practice have focused on the traumatic experiences of South Asian individuals in this diaspora, and even less work has examined how these traumatic experiences are inextricably linked with historical and ongoing colonial context; migration and displacement; and intersectional identity based on religion, race, gender, nationality, and more. Additionally, scant research has focused on tangible solutions to these grave gaps in mental health care-how to best disseminate and implement culturally congruent interventions, enhance policy for trauma-informed work, and best attend to the culturally informed needs of South Asian mental health trainees. This narrative review examines the current psychological literature on trauma among South Asian individuals in the diaspora from a translational perspective. We review (a) South Asian history using a trauma-focused lens, (b) the types and prevalence of traumatic experiences, (c) trauma interventions, (d) trauma-related dissemination and implementation efforts, and (e) trauma-informed policy initiatives. We note from the outset that due to the limited work on the diaspora, much of this review inadvertently also reviews extant work on trauma among South Asians residing in South Asia, which is distinct but related to diasporic experiences. Recommendations for the traumatic stress field, community members and lay providers, and implications for the training of South Asian students preparing for careers in mental health are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":17519,"journal":{"name":"Journal of traumatic stress","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144159555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kelsey N Serier, Hannah M Burns, Kathryn M Magruder, Avron Spiro, Anica Pless Kaiser, Rachel Kimerling, Susan M Frayne, Amy M Kilbourne, Eileen M Stock, Christopher W Forsberg, Nicholas L Smith, Brian N Smith
{"title":"Posttraumatic stress disorder and hypertension in older adult Vietnam Era male and female veterans.","authors":"Kelsey N Serier, Hannah M Burns, Kathryn M Magruder, Avron Spiro, Anica Pless Kaiser, Rachel Kimerling, Susan M Frayne, Amy M Kilbourne, Eileen M Stock, Christopher W Forsberg, Nicholas L Smith, Brian N Smith","doi":"10.1002/jts.23162","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23162","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hypertension is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death for older adults. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may increase the likelihood of developing hypertension; however, little is known about this association in older adult male and female veterans. To better understand the ways in which aging and biological sex impact the link between PTSD and hypertension, the present study used data from two cohorts of older adult Vietnam Era veterans (women: N = 4,104, M<sub>age</sub> = 67.4 years; men: N = 5,767, M<sub>age</sub> = 61.9 years). Veterans completed a telephone structured clinical interview assessing lifetime PTSD and self-reported hypertension diagnosis, age of onset, and past-year treatment. Weighted logistic regression analyses adjusted for relevant covariates revealed an association between PTSD and a higher likelihood of hypertension in male veterans, OR = 1.57, 95% CI [1.30, 1.91]. There was no association between lifetime PTSD and hypertension in female veterans, OR = 0.93; 95% CI [0.77, 1.11]. Exploratory secondary analyses suggested an association between PTSD and hypertension onset in early and middle adulthood in men. PTSD was not associated with past-year hypertension treatment. Overall, these findings suggest that PTSD may contribute to hypertension risk in older adult male veterans, which has important implications for their long-term cardiovascular health. The association between PTSD and hypertension may differ across the lifespan and for male and female veterans. Additional prospective research is needed to confirm these findings and further clarify the association between PTSD and hypertension to inform veteran clinical care.</p>","PeriodicalId":17519,"journal":{"name":"Journal of traumatic stress","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144029344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karen A Lawrence, Hannah R Speaks, Erin L Abner, Frederick A Schmitt, Jennifer J Vasterling, Brian N Smith, Suzanne C Segerstrom
{"title":"Lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder and longitudinal cognitive decline: A cognitive aging framework in the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set.","authors":"Karen A Lawrence, Hannah R Speaks, Erin L Abner, Frederick A Schmitt, Jennifer J Vasterling, Brian N Smith, Suzanne C Segerstrom","doi":"10.1002/jts.23165","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23165","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with both cognitive deficits and an increased risk of dementia. Few studies, however, have examined the association between PTSD and cognitive decline in the context of parameters important to brain aging, including health conditions and genetics (e.g., APOE Ɛ4 status). National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center data were used to investigate the associations between lifetime PTSD status and working memory, immediate and delayed episodic memory, and executive functions over 7 years in 11,961 older adults with (n = 179) and without PTSD. Inverse probability weighting was used to mitigate confounding variables. Linear mixed-effects models were fit to weighted data. Sex, race, and APOE Ɛ4 status were examined as moderators. Lifetime PTSD was associated with an additional 0.031 standard deviations of decline in working memory annually, B = -0.031, 95% CI [-0.055, -0.007]. There was no significant PTSD x Time interaction for other cognitive domains. Sex moderated the associations between PTSD and working memory, B = 0.067, SE = 0.03, and delayed recall, B = 0.063, SE = 0.03, such that, among individuals with PTSD, men demonstrated faster decline than women. APOE Ɛ4 moderated the associations between PTSD and delayed recall, B = -0.106, SE = 0.03, and executive functions, B = 0.061, SE = 0.02; among individuals with PTSD, APOE Ɛ4 carriers showed faster and slower decline, respectively, than noncarriers. PTSD in older adults is associated with accelerated decline in working memory. Men and/or APOE Ɛ4 carriers may be important targets for early cognitive decline prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":17519,"journal":{"name":"Journal of traumatic stress","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143999517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mark Creamer, Richard Bryant, Amy Lehrner, Barbara O Rothbaum, Josef I Ruzek, Paula P Schnurr
{"title":"Harnessing psychedelics for treating posttraumatic stress disorder: Does the science support all the hype?","authors":"Mark Creamer, Richard Bryant, Amy Lehrner, Barbara O Rothbaum, Josef I Ruzek, Paula P Schnurr","doi":"10.1002/jts.23163","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23163","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper is an edited transcript of a plenary panel held at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The panel comprised Drs. Mark Creamer (moderator), Richard Bryant (convenor), Amy Lehrner, Barbara O. Rothbaum, Joseph I. Ruzek, and Paula P. Schnurr. Bringing together clinicians and researchers with a diverse range of views, the panel sought to explore some of the pressing issues confronting the field. Following opening comments, the discussion addressed topics such as: \"What is covered under the rubric of 'psychedelics'?,\" \"Is there too much hype?,\" \"What is the role of psychotherapy?,\" \"What are the putative mechanisms of change?,\" and \"What are the key ethical issues?\" Audience questions were followed by brief closing comments. Despite disagreements, there was a high level of consensus that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy represents an exciting possibility for people living with posttraumatic stress disorder who have not responded to existing evidence-based treatments. Equally, there was agreement that considerably more rigorous research is required before definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding the specific components and efficacy of these approaches. Ethical concerns, particularly regarding accessibility, will present a significant challenge for provider organizations.</p>","PeriodicalId":17519,"journal":{"name":"Journal of traumatic stress","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143989304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Philip Held, Daniel R Szoke, Sarah A Pridgen, Dale L Smith
{"title":"Tracking individualized stuck points in cognitive processing therapy: The amount of change matters.","authors":"Philip Held, Daniel R Szoke, Sarah A Pridgen, Dale L Smith","doi":"10.1002/jts.23155","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23155","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) targets maladaptive beliefs called \"stuck points,\" which are typically assessed using standardized measures (e.g., the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory [PTCI]). This study examined whether changes in person-specific individualized stuck points (ISPs) were associated with reductions in self-reported and clinician-rated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and whether ISPs predicted PTSD severity beyond general stuck points (GSPs) measured using the PTCI. Adults (N = 57) with PTSD received 1-week massed virtual CPT via one of two randomized controlled trials. ISPs were tracked, and ISP belief strengths were rated after every other session and at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. Linear mixed-effects models examined associations between ISP changes and self-reported (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 [PCL-5]) and clinician-rated PTSD (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 [CAPS-5]) symptom reductions, adjusting for baseline depression, gender, age, and treatment condition. Participants showed large reductions in PTSD symptoms from baseline to 1-month follow-up, M<sub>PCL-5 reduction</sub> = 29.4, d = 2.02; M<sub>CAPS-5 reduction</sub> = 10.49, d = 0.72. Average ISP belief strength decreased by 50.2% during treatment and up to 1-month follow-up, d = 2.75. Higher numbers of ISPs also predicted reduced PCL-5 scores, p = .021, R<sup>2</sup> = .02. However, when controlling for PTCI score, ISPs no longer significantly predicted PTSD symptom change, ps = .352-.534, whereas PTCI scores remained significant predictors, p < .001. ISP reductions were associated with PTSD symptom improvements but did not predict outcomes beyond PTCI-assessed GSPs. Tracking ISPs may still be valuable for tailoring therapy and enhancing patient engagement.</p>","PeriodicalId":17519,"journal":{"name":"Journal of traumatic stress","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144022904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The interplay between cortisol and oxytocin in aggressive adolescents: The role of trauma.","authors":"Kalista Meulenbeek, Iro Fragkaki, Flavia Spagnuolo, Luca Frankenberger, Maaike Cima","doi":"10.1002/jts.23161","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23161","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The neuroendocrine profile of aggressive adolescents shows inconsistencies, potentially influenced by trauma exposure. Specifically, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-oxytocinergic circuitry may vary among aggressive youth based on past trauma exposure, with a positive interplay between cortisol and oxytocin in those with higher levels of trauma, as a result of the simultaneous hormone release to cope with trauma-related stress. To explore this hypothesis, this study collected saliva samples at three time points (morning, afternoon, and evening) over 2 consecutive days from male adolescents (N = 57, M<sub>age</sub> = 17.95 years, SD = 2.44) in residential youth care facilities. In addition, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was administered to assess the presence and frequency of trauma exposure. A linear mixed-effects model showed a significant interaction effect, B = 0.06, p = .015, ΔR<sup>2</sup> = .013, with simple-slope analysis showing a positive association between cortisol and oxytocin in residential youth with higher levels of childhood trauma exposure, B = 0.08, p = .007, but not those with lower levels of trauma exposure, consistent with our predictions. These findings suggest a possible compensatory mechanism in response to trauma and emphasize the need to consider trauma exposure when further investigating the neuroendocrine profile of aggression.</p>","PeriodicalId":17519,"journal":{"name":"Journal of traumatic stress","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144022901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Key concepts, methods, findings, and questions about traumatic memories.","authors":"Chris R Brewin","doi":"10.1002/jts.23164","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.23164","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article is based on a Lifetime Achievement Award lecture delivered at the 40th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies in Boston (Massachusetts, United States) in September 2024. Understanding traumatic memory involves integrating clinical observations with a wide range of knowledge from philosophy, cognitive and social psychology, and neuroscience. I present definitions of traumatic memory; distinguish voluntary from involuntary forms, such as flashbacks; and introduce relevant concepts that can situate the clinical symptom within a wider framework. The distinction between flashbacks and standard episodic memory has important implications, and I discuss how the methods used to study traumatic memory can preserve it. Using this same perspective, I then review emerging evidence concerning the nature, neural underpinnings, and origin of traumatic memories. The final section reviews some significant unanswered questions for the future. These include the impact of traumatic memories on the experience of self and the implications of delayed onsets for postulating a family of posttraumatic stress disorders with different underlying mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":17519,"journal":{"name":"Journal of traumatic stress","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144000164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}