The present research is a field investigation of trauma and its cognitive and emotional consequences. One hundred and nineteen sex trade workers were interviewed about sexually traumatic experiences. The primary focus of this research was an examination of the quantity and quality of memory for sexual trauma. Various predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors were examined regarding their influence on memory and posttraumatic stress. One objective of this study was to test certain assumptions of the biopsychosocial model of eyewitness memory (Hervé, Cooper, & Yuille, 2007), which proposes that individuals differ along a continuum of arousal sensitivity and predicts the quantity and quality of recall. Up to three types of memory narratives were elicited from each participant: (a) one positive event (b) one well-remembered sexual assault, and (c) one sexual assault for which the participant had poor recollection. Each memory was assessed for peritraumatic and posttraumatic factors. The participants also filled out a number of individual differences measures. The results indicated that the participants had extensive histories of trauma, many of which began in their childhood. It was shown that well-remembered sexual assaults contained more narrative details than memories of positive events and less-well-remembered sexual assaults. Such variability of memory for sexual violence is in line with Hervé et al.'s model as well as other field studies of traumatic memory. This was the first study to demonstrate such variability within-subjects. Various moderating factors of memory were examined, for example, dissociation and different symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Some of the findings were at odds with traditional theories, laboratory findings, and certain assumptions held by many eyewitness memory experts regarding the relationship between stress and memory. A second objective of this dissertation was to examine predictors of post traumatic stress disorder. The findings largely confirmed the literature. Men and women did not differ in their levels of posttraumatic stress. Overall, the complexity of clinical symptoms in survivors of repeated sexual violence is highlighted. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for theory development, future research, the criminal justice system, and in terms of their relevance for treatment providers and assessors. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

Adherence to treatment recommendations following medical care for pediatric conditions is critically important for promoting optimal physical and psychological well-being. While it has been a focus of many studies across pediatric chronic illness populations, there is a dearth of research examining adherence following pediatric unintentional injury. Empirical evidence from studies with pediatric chronic illness samples indicates that youth experience a number of barriers to adherence to medical recommendations. Adherence is especially difficult for adolescents due to the unique challenges of this developmental period. A mixed methods research approach was utilized to gain a holistic understanding of potential psychological barriers to adherence following adolescent injury. Quantitative analyses examined the potential predictive roles of adolescent psychological [i.e., posttraumatic stress (PTSD), depression, quality of life] and relational (i.e., parent PTSD and depression) factors on adherence. Results of analyses were insignificant; thus, qualitative data was collected to deepen the understanding of barriers to adherence. Findings from qualitative data analyses suggested that a number of barriers to adherence to treatment recommendations exist, including: concern of pain medication addiction, competing activities, treatment side effects, health status, desire for autonomy, and symptoms of depression. Results of qualitative analyses also revealed the presence of additional factors that could facilitate adherence to treatment recommendations. Taking into consideration findings from both quantitative and qualitative analyses, adherence may be best conceptualized as a result of a dynamic decision-making process influenced by numerous interacting factors. This study is the first to examine barriers to adherence among adolescents following unintentional injury and provides an initial roadmap for understanding the mechanisms involved in this complex process. / Ph. D.

Domestic violence is a pervasive problem. Approximately one quarter of all women will be assaulted by a partner in their lifetime. It is difficult to predict how resilient a woman will be after being abused, and how severe the negative consequences may be. The present study sought to identify variables that are the strongest predictors of traumatic symptoms after experiencing domestic violence, and also test social support as a moderator of these trauma symptoms. One hundred and twenty two women incarcerated in a local south Florida county jail participated in the study. They were administered the BWSQ-3, DAPS, and AAS-R. Types of abuse experienced, number of abusive relationships, time in abusive relationship, and severity of injuries were all found to be significant predictors of clinically significant trauma symptoms; types of abuse experienced and severity of injuries contributed over and above the other variables. It was observed that approximately 71% of women identified as having a secure attachment style sought help outside the relationship for the abuse. It was also determined that women with a secure attachment style significantly differed from those with a preoccupied or fearful attachment style in the rates at which they sought help. The final analysis indicated social support effectively moderates the resulting trauma symptoms after being abused; women who have experienced mild to moderate abuse, who also have adequate social support, had lower rates of clinically significant trauma symptoms. The present findings are important for guiding treatment and the development and implementation of more effective interventions.

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Thesis advisor: Paul Kline / This three paper dissertation considers whether yoga--a popular mind-body practice combining physical postures and movement, mindfulness, and breath exercises--may be a useful component of treatment for adult trauma survivors. The first paper involves a systematic review and meta-analyses of the current evidence base for yoga in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and PTSD among trauma survivors. The second and third papers are grounded in a single, mixed-methods multi-wave data source aimed at examining yoga's contribution to recovery for adult women who have complex trauma histories (i.e., sustained and/or multiple traumatic experiences such as recurring physical or sexual abuse). The second paper is a quantitative study employing hierarchical linear and logistic regression to examine associations between yoga practice and reductions in traumatic symptomology over time. The third paper is a hermeneutic phenomenological study exploring how women with complex trauma histories experience practicing yoga and its potential role in their coping and healing processes over time. Taken together, these three papers offer insights into the complex healing needs of adult survivors suffering from the effects of traumatization, and the promising role of yoga within their recovery processes. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Social Work. / Discipline: Social Work.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric disorder and is associated with impairment in multiple domains. Research on the development of PTSD symptoms is often limited by the use of cross-sectional designs and retrospective reports of pre-trauma factors. The trauma film paradigm allows for the measurement of pre-trauma factors to determine which variables serve as prospective predictors of posttraumatic stress symptom development. Two factors which may predict posttraumatic stress symptom development are distress intolerance and attentional control. Research suggests distress intolerance is related to posttraumatic stress symptoms, but this relationship has only been shown cross-sectionally. Research has further shown attention control prospectively predicts posttraumatic stress symptoms. Cross-sectional research also suggests attentional control moderates the relationship between distress intolerance and posttraumatic stress symptoms. The current study used the trauma film paradigm to investigate whether attentional control moderates the relationship between distress intolerance and posttraumatic stress symptoms. The current study findings were mixed, but suggest that attentional control does not moderate the association between distress intolerance and posttraumatic stress symptoms. These results suggest distress intolerance and attentional control may not be important variables in the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms.

The goal of this dissertation is to investigate the factors that increase risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Latinos. Although the overall rates of psychiatric disorders in the Latino community are similar to Caucasian Americans, the risk for PTSD among Latinos is higher. This thesis discusses the general components of trauma and stress, as well as the prevalence of PTSD in various Latino subgroups. This thesis also covers a number of cultural-specific values, stressors, and help-seeking attitudes that increase the risk of PTSD among Latinos. Moreover, a culturally-responsive intervention program treating PTSD among Latinas who are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) is proposed.

Refugee torture survivors often present with a myriad of psychological challenges, such as posttraumatic stress and depression, stemming from their exposure to torture and other pre- and post-settlement experiences (Gong-Guy and colleagues, 1991). The present study examined the moderating effect of four coping processes (i.e., family support, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and will to survive) on the relationship between cumulative torture and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among a sample of 204 (N=204) adult refugee torture survivors. Subjects completed a demographic questionnaire, the Torture Severity Scale (TSS; Kira, Lewandowski, Templin, Ramaswamy, Ozkan, Hammad, & Mohanesh, 2006), the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-2; Weathers, Keane, & Davidson, 2001), and the Means of Survival Scale (MOS; Kira, 2012). Twenty-three percent (N = 74) of the sample endorsed clinically significant levels of PTSD. Torture and PTSD were positively associated, indicating that greater exposure to cumulative torture is associated with greater trauma symptoms (r[2] = .18, pppppp2 = .039; F (2,323) = 7.55, p=.001. None of the interaction terms examined accounted for significant variation in PTSD symptoms. Study findings will help counseling psychologists devise the most appropriate treatment plans and strategies to treat posttraumatic stress reactions among refugee torture survivors, as well as inform future interventions developed for this vulnerable population.

The current report reviews the recent literature on the relationship between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), sexual assault, and the resulting psychological impact on college women. This document is an overview of PTSD and sexual assault as defined in recent literature, and then reviews the significant impact both factors have on the college woman and her surrounding environment. Intervention and prevention strategies for the negative consequences of sexual assault and PTSD are included. Finally, this report provides suggestions for counselors on appropriate treatment and intervention plans for a college campus. / text

Following exposure to trauma, stress reactions are initially adaptive. However, some individuals’ psychological response can become maladaptive with long-lasting impairment to functioning. Most people with initial symptoms of stress recover, and thus it is important to distinguish individuals who are at risk of continuing difficulties so that resources are allocated appropriately. Investigations of predictors of PTSD development have largely focused on relational and combat-related trauma, with very limited research looking at natural disasters. This study assessed the nature and severity of psychological difficulties experienced in 101 people seeking treatment following exposure to a significant earthquake that killed 185 people. Peritraumatic dissociation, posttraumatic stress symptoms, symptoms of anxiety, symptoms of depression, and social isolation were assessed. Descriptive analyses revealed the sample to be a highly impaired group, with particularly high levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Path analysis was used to determine whether the experience of some psychological difficulties predicted experience of others. As hypothesised, peritraumatic dissociation was found to predict posttraumatic stress symptoms and symptoms of anxiety. Posttraumatic stress symptoms then predicted symptoms of anxiety and symptoms of depression. Depression and anxiety were highly correlated. Contrary to expectations, social isolation was not significantly related to any other psychological variables. These findings justify the provision of psychological support following a natural disaster and suggest the benefit of assessing peritraumatic dissociation and posttraumatic stress symptoms soon after the event to identify people in need of monitoring and intervention.