Despite high levels of exposure, firefighter posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rates are unclear. Likewise, questions remain regarding how social interactions and beliefs about emotion might interact to influence PTSD in firefighters. In this study, U.S. urban firefighters (N = 225) completed measures of social support, negative social interactions, and fear of emotion which were then used via regression analyses to predict PTSD symptoms. Each independent variable predicted PTSD beyond variance accounted for by demographic variables. Additionally, fear of emotion emerged as the strongest individual predictor of PTSD and a moderator of the relation between social interactions and PTSD symptoms. These findings emphasize the importance of beliefs about emotion; both in how these beliefs might influence the expression of PTSD symptoms, and in how the social networks of trauma survivors might buffer distress.

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The psychological effects of combat experience on war veterans has been widely documented, ever since what is now called posttraumatics stress disorder (PTSD) was discovered in soldiers and given names like shell shock, battle fatigue and war neurosis.

No description available.

Magister Artium - MA / The intention of this dissertation is to clarify the psychological processes and effects which operate in the political detention situation, and to outline effective treatment and coping strategies. An overview of research literature and theory is provided, and the importance of viewing detention within a broad 'socio-political context is emphasised. In the analysis of the detention situation a number of variables likely to be operative are considered. Solitary confinement, torture, interrogation, reactions to severe stress situation s, and uncertainty, unpredictability and uncontrollability are given separate discussion, interaction situation. prior to an attempt to consider the of these variable s in the detention This projected picture is compared with case material gathered in the area. It is noted that political detention is not a uniform experience with a uniform set of effects. Rather, the effects are seen to be dependent on the particular differences in re-ponse. Nevertheless, political detention is shown to be commonly both objectively and subjectively severely stressful, with a strong likelihood of the detainee developing debilitating psychological sequelae. post-traumatic stress disorder appears to be commonly implicated, and symptom s may persist for many years. Family and community members and organisations to which the detainee belongs suffer not only the effects of the loss of that person, but also the problems of effectively helping him or her to reintegrate. It is shown that detainees have commonly drawn on a number of resources or strategies to counteract the potentially debilitating effects of prior preparation of detention. The for the detention experience to facilitate an accurate appraisal of the situation and better coping is emphasized. Useful strategies that may be learned or fostered are outlined. A multidisciplinary approach to treatment that acknowledges all of the difficulties and needs particular to any specific ex-detainee, and that draws on as broad a recommended. It is shown range of available supports Physiotherapy, psychotherapy, and family involvement are as possible, is medication where stressed. Necessary that much may be learned from Canadian and European units that rehabilitate victims of torture - mainly from South American countries; but that strategies need to be adapted to South African conditions.

Research shows that people with severe mental illness (SMI) have extensive trauma histories and higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general population. However, research also shows that both the trauma history and PTSD in people with SMIs are vastly unrecognized and untreated. Additionally, the relationships between SMI, trauma, PTSD, substance use, and other psychosocial factors is still not well understood, as there has been limited experimental research examining these relationships despite an awareness of their connections. The SMI-PTSD descriptive model was originally proposed by Mueser et al. (2002) to better understand these variables, and is often referenced in the literature, yet there is very little empirical evidence and understanding of how this model may differ by gender in people with SMI. Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an evidence-based treatment for those with SMI, yet the extent to which trauma is addressed within the ACT model is not consistently known, nor how the team’s practitioners work with their clients on trauma-related issues and PTSD. By definition, all ACT clients have an SMI and represent a population with complex and intensive needs; therefore, a better understanding the population ACT serves, as well as how the teams work with the trauma present in their clients, will aid in providing better and more consistent treatment and care. This dissertation examines gender differences in the relationship between SMI, substance use, trauma, PTSD, psychosocial factors, the SMI-PTSD descriptive model, and attempts to ascertain the perspectives of ACT providers in working with trauma and PTSD in clients. In Study 1, I conducted retrospective chart reviews to extract information on trauma histories, PTSD, substance use, and psychosocial factors in 282 clients from four ACT teams (178 men, 104 women) to assess the gender differences in types of trauma, instances of PTSD, substances of choice, problematic substance use, and the SMI-PTSD model. Findings indicate that rates of sexual trauma, emotional abuse, serious suicide attempts, rates of trauma in adulthood, and PTSD are higher among women, whereas rates of alcohol, marijuana, and stimulant use as well as lifetime problematic substance use are higher among men. For the SMI-PTSD model, results suggest that the model better corresponds to the experiences and possible trajectory of men with SMI. In Study 2, I employed thematic analysis through interviewing ACT providers to better understand their perspectives on working with trauma and PTSD in clients. Five overarching themes with 21 sub-themes emerged. The five themes were the role and scope of ACT teams and model regarding trauma; discussions of trauma with clients; current treatment of trauma; barriers to working with trauma; and recommendations for enabling trauma discussions and treatment. These two studies have important implications for further research. Research should take gender identity into consideration when proposing and testing models, as Study 1 has demonstrated that two genders experience a well-accepted proposed model differently; this finding may be applicable to people of all genders, as well as other models. Further research could be done to gather perspectives from workers on the strengths and challenges of the ACT model. Future work should also include the views of ACT clients to get a fuller picture of their experience with receiving care for their trauma experiences. Clinically, health care providers should better recognize and treat PTSD and traumatic-stress symptoms of people with SMI. Doing so will ensure that health-care is moving towards trauma-informed practice on a systemic level.

Bakgrund: Sjuksköterskans yrke är präglat av stor arbetsbelastning, ett högt tempo och många olika arbetsuppgifter som oftast ska utföras under tidspress. Andelen akuta patienter ökar samtidigt som att resurser begränsas och effekten av detta har en direkt påverkan på sjuksköterskans psykiska hälsa.   Syfte: Syftet med litteraturöversikten är att belysa faktorer som orsakar psykisk ohälsa hos sjuksköterskor inom akutsjukvården.   Metod: En litteraturöversikt bestående av 10 vetenskapliga artiklar med kvantitativ forskningsmetodik. Artikelsökningen utfördes i databaserna Cinahl och Pubmed.   Resultat: Analysen resulterade i två huvudteman som visade sig påverka sjuksköterskans hälsa; dessa är Arbetsrelaterade faktorer och Psykosociala faktorer. Subteman är arbetsmiljö, ledarskap och organisation gällande huvudtemat arbetsrelaterade faktorer, trauma och lidanden, återhämtning samt stressorer vid huvudtemat psykosociala faktorer.   Konklusion: Genom kunskap om psykisk ohälsa samt utveckling av coping-strategier med förebyggande åtgärder kan en mer hälsosam och stödjande arbetsmiljö skapas för sjuksköterskor inom akutsjukvården. / Background: The nurse´s profession is characterized by a high workload, a high tempo and many different tasks that are usually performed under enormous time pressure. The proportion of acute patients increases drastically while the resources are limited and the effect of this has a direct impact on the nurse.    Purpose: The purpose of the litterature review is to highlight factors that causes mental illness in nurses in the emergency care.   Method: The litterature review consists of 10 scientific articles with quantitative researsh methodology. The article research was done in the databases CINAHL and PubMed.   Result: The analysis resulted in two main themes that were found to affect the nurse´s health, these are work-related factors and psychosocial factors. The subthemes are working enviroment, leadership and organization to the main theme of workrelated factors. Suffering and trauma, recovery and stressors regarding the main theme psychsocial factors. Conclusion: Through knowledge about mental illness and development of coping strategies with preventive measures, a healthier and more supportive working enviroment can be created for nurses in emergency care.

Childhood exposure to familial violence increases risk for adult pathology, namely posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Primary PTSD symptoms of hyperarousal and avoidance are implicated in overgeneral memory (OGM) theory in prior research. Individuals with trauma history tend to report OGMs, or non-specific autobiographical memories, perhaps to avoid unpleasant arousal elicited by recalling specific events. OGM, PTSD, depression, and arousal were assessed in adults with and without familial violence history. Arousal was measured via galvanic skin response (GSR) during an autobiographical memory task (AMT), requiring memory recall in response to emotionally-valenced cue words. Familial violence history was linked to higher incidence of PTSD symptoms. Childhood psychological violence was predictive of adult PTSD. Rates of depression, OGM, and arousal did not significantly vary by violence history. Significant gender differences were found relating to type of violence exposure and adult functioning. Research limitations, clinical implications, and future research suggestions are discussed.

Bakgrund: Empatitrötthet är en kombination av utmattning och sekundär traumatisk stress som medfört en avsaknad eller förlust av empatiska förmågor i hopp om att skydda det egna välmåendet. Prevalensen av empatitrötthet ökar och därmed konsekvenserna det har på vården. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att sammanställa litteratur som beskrev sjuksköterskors upplevelser av empatitrötthet. Metod: En kvalitativ ansats användes och underlaget bestod av tio kvalitativa studier baserade på beskrivningar från sjuksköterskor i olika omvårdnadssammanhang för att framhäva sjuksköterskor upplevelser av empatitrötthet.Resultat: Litteraturöversiktens resultat visar två huvudkategorier: Upplevda förluster i åsamkande av empatitrötthet och Upplevda lärdomar av empatitrötthet. Resultatet visar att majoriteten av sjuksköterskors upplevelser är former av förluster relaterat till empatitrötthet. Konklusion: Empatitrötthet är ett mångfacetterat fenomen vilket påverkar sjuksköterskan på flera plan. I slutändan leder det till inadekvat omvårdnad av patienter. Vidare för att undvika empatitrötthet krävs mer resurser i form av fler sjuksköterskor, tid för reflektion ska möjliggöras och ökat stöd från ledning samt organisation. Detta krävs för att säkerställa ett hållbart yrkesliv för sjuksköterskan och god omvårdnad för patienten. / Background: Compassion fatigue is a combination of fatigue and secondary traumatic stress which brings with it a lack or loss of empathic abilities, as a way to protect the individual's own wellbeing. The prevalence of compassion fatigue is on the rise as well as the consequences it has on nursing.Aim: The purpose of the study was to compile literature that described nurses' experiences of empathy fatigue. Method: A qualitative approach was used, and the data consisted of ten qualitative studies based on descriptions from nurses in various nursing contexts to highlight nurses’ experiences of compassion fatigue. Result: The result of the literature review discovered two main categories: Experienced losses caused by compassion fatigue and Perceived lessons learned by compassion fatigue. The findings show that the majority of nurses' experiences present themselves as losses related to compassion fatigue.Conclusion: Compassion fatigue is a multifaceted phenomenon which affects the nurse on several levels. In the end, it leads to inadequate care of patients. Furthermore, to avoid compassion fatigue, more resources are required such as additional nurses, added time for reflection and increased support from management and organization to ensure a sustainable career for the nurse and adequate care for the patients.

No description available.