Rationale and objective: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are disorders of learning and memory that often occur comorbidly. Exposure to trauma-related cues can increase alcohol intake in PTSD patients that are using alcohol to self-medicate. The recurrence of anxiety symptoms with subsequent alcohol use may initiate a destructive cycle where stress and alcohol exposure impair the function of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). While the incidence of these disorders has steadily increased, current therapies and treatments often lack efficacy. Thus, investigation into the underlying neurocircuitry responsible for the establishment and maintenance of these disorders is necessary to develop novel treatment targets. Methods: The present study examined the effects of ethanol exposure on the ability to create new learned associations around previously conditioned fear cues in a rat model. Animals were exposed to fear conditioning followed by chronic intermittent ethanol to translationally model trauma exposure followed by alcohol abuse. Optogenetics was used to inhibit the prelimbic (PrL) or infralimbic (IfL) cortex during fear memory reconsolidation, and fear behaviors were measured during subsequent extinction and spontaneous recovery tests. Results and conclusion Chronic ethanol exposure led to deficits in fear extinction learning and increased freezing during spontaneous recovery, both of which were prevented following inhibition of the PrL, but not the IfL, during memory reconsolidation. These results support the involvement of the PrL in fear learning and memory, and strongly suggest that the PrL could serve as a potential target for the treatment of the learning and memory deficits that occur following exposure to stress and alcohol.

The persistence of shame-based reactions to child maltreatment (CM) has been associated with poor posttraumatic adjustment. Despite evidence that the postpartum period is a vulnerable time for women with CM histories, little is known about the consequences of maltreatment-specific (MS) shame for postpartum functioning. The current study examined individual differences in MS shame among a sample of women during the postpartum period (n = 100) as well as prospective relations from MS shame to postpartum psychopathology at 6-, 12-, 15-, and 18-month postpartum. Linear growth curve (LGC) analyses showed that MS shame predicted higher levels of depression symptoms but not post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms at all time points whereas path analyses showed that shame mediated the relations from multi-maltreatment to both depression and PTSD symptoms at all time points. Results point to the long-term consequences of MS shame during postpartum and the importance of attending to shame in clinical care of maltreatment survivors who present with postpartum psychopathology.

This study examined individual variability in the strength of association between psychophysiological reactivity to trauma cues and clinician-rated PTSD symptoms in a sample of female survivors of sexual and non-sexual assault. PTSD is a heterogeneous disorder, and individual differences in symptom presentation and accompanying comorbidities may be accounted for by internalizing and externalizing latent temperament-based dimensions of psychopathology. The present study proposed that these dimensions may also account for heterogeneity in the association between psychophysiological reactivity and PTSD. Prior research has demonstrated that most individuals with PTSD display elevated psychophysiological reactivity when exposed to trauma reminders, although some do not. As well, research has shown that externalizing pathologies are typically associated with diminished psychophysiological reactivity to aversive cues whereas internalizing pathologies are associated with elevated psychophysiological reactivity. This study therefore employed structural equation modeling to test hypotheses that externalizing and internalizing pathologies would display mitigating and enhancing moderator effects, respectively, on the prediction of PTSD by psychophysiological reactivity. To that end, confirmatory factor analysis first established a viable internalizing and externalizing model based on an array of clinical measures in one participant subgroup (n = 329) and then affirmed the reliability of the model in a second subgroup (n = 245). Structural equation modeling in the latter subgroup, in which PTSD was regressed on Internalizing, Externalizing, and Psychophysiological Reactivity factors as well as Internalizing by Psychophysiological Reactivity and Externalizing by Psychophysiological Reactivity moderator terms, revealed a significant moderator effect for externalizing but not internalizing pathology. However, the nature of the externalizing moderator effect differed from the hypothesized direction, with higher levels of externalizing pathology strengthening the association between PTSD and psychophysiological reactivity rather than weakening it. It therefore appears that variability in the association between PTSD and psychophysiological reactivity may be partially accounted for by individual differences in the externalizing dimension of psychopathology. As well, the psychophysiology of the externalizing dimension may also be marked by heterogeneity, with externalizing pathology being linked with increased rather than decreased psychophysiological reactivity among women who have experienced sexual or non-sexual assault.

The lifetime prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ranges from 1 to 14 percent in the general population. Diagnosis is based on criteria that address hallmark symptoms of the disorder from re-experiencing the trauma to hyperarousal, emotional numbing, and avoidance of memories, thoughts, or feelings associated with the event. PTSD is particularly prevalent in vulnerable populations and comorbid with substance use disorders, serious mental illness, or both. Psychological treatment options are more strongly recommended than pharmacological treatment by the American Psychological Association (APA); however, the efficacy of psychotherapy is less studied in vulnerable populations for fear that substance use or mental health outcomes will worsen. Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy and cognitive processing therapy (CPT) are the most investigated forms of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in vulnerable populations and involve overcoming the trauma through repeated exposure for PE or processing with a clinician for CPT. A review of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have evaluated the effect of either form of CBT on non-combat PTSD, substance use disorder (SUD), and mental health outcomes found that PE administered alongside SUD treatment had the greatest positive impact on PTSD and SUD outcomes. PE also had a better impact than CPT on PTSD outcomes in individuals with PTSD and serious mental illness (SMI); however, neither form of CBT performed substantially better than the other with respect to mental health outcomes. In future studies, the impact of psychological treatments on PTSD and other health outcomes needs to be assessed on the same variables in larger populations of vulnerable individuals that are inclusive and representative of those receiving care for SUD and SMI in community health care settings.

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Counselling Psychology) in the Department of Psychology, University of Zululand, South Africa, 2004. / The present study examined Public Order Police Officers' perceptions of traumatic symptomatology. The study consists of three aims. The first aim was to ascertain the type of traumatic symptomatology members of the Public Order Police experience. The second aim was to determine whether rank has an influence on perceptions of traumatic symptomatology. The third aim was to establish if a relationship existed between experiences of traumatic symptomatology and the respondent characteristics of gender, age or work experience. The study revealed that half of the sample experienced stress as a type of symptomatology. It was also found that: 43% experienced depression; 29% experienced psychosomatic complaints; 28% experienced family and marital problems; 26% experienced alcohol or drug abuse; 25% experienced aggressive behaviour; and 22% of the Public Order Police experienced suicide as a type of traumatic symptomatology. This study also found that no relationship existed between: police rank, gender, length of service and traumatic symptomatology. The only relationship that existed in this study was between age and Public Order Police Officers' perceptions of traumatic symptomatology. The general consensus in literature is that the expression of personal feelings is severely limited within the police culture (Joyce, 1989; Kroes, 1985; Pogrebin & Poole, 1991; Burgers, 1994). The police culture may influence the manner in which police officers respond to traumatic events, family members, the community and psychological treatment To add to the problem, many officers fear asking for help. The creed of the male-dominated police profession reflects a predominantly macho attitude; police officers perceive themselves as problem solvers, not people with problems (Reiser, 1974). It can be argued in this study that untreated trauma can be manifested through subtle traumatic symptoms if psychological treatment is not sought. The findings of this study highlight the need for these members to be counselled to benefit themselves, family and the community.

Hurricane Katrina devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast and subjected the city of New Orleans to disastrous flooding, which resulted in numerous after effects that impacted the children and adolescents of the city. The disaster contributed to high levels of stress, increased risk of psychological disorders, and was associated with an increased percentage of New Orleans children presenting symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To help address these problems associated with hurricanes and other disasters, the current study investigated how age, gender, race, and pre-existing conditions increased or decreased the likelihood of a child being diagnosed with PTSD following Hurricane Katrina. A binary logistical regression was utilized in this study. Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory formed the framework of the study, based on the functionality of an individual's life and development in his or her environment. The findings revealed age to be a significant predictor on PTSD. As children's ages increase, the likelihood of having PTSD increases. The result can promote positive social change by providing mental healthcare professionals with comprehensive information regarding possible health risk of developing PTSD and the possibilities of getting treatment with evidence-based therapeutic support, medicine, and psychotherapy.

Many couples get married hoping and believing their new relational commitment will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, however, this expectation sometimes goes unrealized. In our society, divorce rates are high and continue to climb due to a myriad of contributing factors. In regard to marriages directly connected to military culture and traditions, they not only grapple with managing the everyday stress and strain encapsulated in daily living, they also contend with military-related stressors that can also disrupt personal connections and derail marriages. In this study, the researcher will focus on the lived experience of Vietnam Combat Veteran Couples in long-term marriages diagnosed with PTSD. The goal of this study is to pinpoint some of the most-enduring yet integral aspects of intimacy having contributed to the long-term marriages of this population. The most-enduring and integral aspects within these relationships, in this population, has not been thoroughly studied. Moreover, this study will help to fill this gap in research by exploring the positive aspects found within the long-term marital relationships of Vietnam Combat Veteran Couples diagnosed with PTSD. The researcher will utilize a theoretical approach designed to work in concert with the multifaceted variances found within the premise of marriage itself; while also focusing on both the academic and practical sides of this phenomenon. The researcher will employ theme based interview questions in an attempt to examine the lived experience, as well as, the enduring and integral aspects associated with the longevity of these long-term marriages. Couple participants will be studied using the phenomenological method Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The results of which will guide the researcher in formulating discussions, conclusions, and recommendations for the future.

The traumatic and cumulative stresses associated with a law enforcement career are well documented both empirically and anecdotally. While previous generations have acknowledged and coped with these stressors with varying levels of success, research shows that the millennial generation has reported more mental health issues than any generation in history. Since suicide is the single leading cause of death for United States law enforcement officers in recent years, addressing mental health should be a priority of all agencies. The introduction of millennial generation law enforcement officers creates the potential for increased mental health needs within the field. 25 millennial-aged Florida law enforcement academy recruits were interviewed in an effort to develop an understanding of their perception of mental health and suicide within the law enforcement career field. Developing an understanding of the perceptions of mental health and suicide from the perspective of millennial generation recruit officers offers insight into this birth cohort. This insight can begin to identify practices and procedures that have the potential to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and ultimately reduce the number of officer suicides. This study identifies training and policy needs which can be adopted by law enforcement agencies to mitigate mental health concerns. Additionally, this study offers suggestion for future research which may change police culture and its perceptions on mental health and suicide.

For several decades, the dominant perspective on the mental health of veterans has focused primarily on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Considerable research has shown recently, however, that only a relatively small portion of veterans suffers from PTSD. The stress of transitioning from being a soldier back into civilian life appears to better account for the myriad mental health problems and broader levels of distress veterans may report or develop. Unfortunately, research on this problem has been limited almost exclusively to self-report, survey studies. In the current research, we tested for this experimentally using an online Cyberball task. The anticipated and supported finding that veterans experience greater levels of loneliness when excluded or ostracized by non-veterans suggests an imperative need for broader research frameworks and increased dedication towards educating veterans on the necessity of meaningful social connectivity post-transition.

No description available.