Intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure is a chronic stressful condition that prevalently affects women’s health and quality of life. As a chronic s

Young adults often discover new personal strength and appreciation for life after losing a parent to cancer, according to a new study exploring the link between grief and posttraumatic growth.

Although perceived posttraumatic growth (PPTG) has been examined in a wide variety of potentially traumatic and/or adverse events, very few studies have examined PPTG in response to experienced discrimination. Further, there is a strong need to better understand the factors that contribute to psychological outcomes following discrimination. The purpose of the current study was to examine correlates and predictors of unique variance in both positive (PPTG) and negative [perceived posttraumatic depreciation (PPTD)] trauma-related outcomes in response to discrimination experienced. A sample of 323 undergraduates from the United States (ages 18–58) who have experienced discrimination completed an online survey. The majority of participants indicated experiencing racial discrimination (51%), followed by gender discrimination (17%), and religious discrimination (10%). The results revealed that event centrality, perceived injustice, core beliefs, and resilience were all significantly associated with both PPTG and PPTD. In multiple regression models, core beliefs and resilience were unique predictors of both PPTG and PPTD. Specifically, core beliefs positively predicted PPTG and PPTD, and resilience positively predicted PPTG and negatively predicted PPTD. We conclude that experienced discrimination can powerfully alter one’s core beliefs, leaving the individual both more vulnerable to psychological depreciation, but also grants an opportunity for potential growth. We believe these findings can help clinicians better understand how to help individuals struggling with experienced discrimination.

An Emory study finds the ovarian hormone estradiol influences women’s brain responses to threat, but traumatic stress can disrupt this regulation, which helps explain women’s increased risk for PTSD.

Cand.Psychol. Peter Halvard Voss Sele vil forsvare sin avhandling for graden Ph.D: Treatment of Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Skills-training, Exposure, or both?

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to RePEc:plo:pone00:0161645

Background: Chronic pain conditions and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are highly prevalent among patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). Both can impact outcomes of SUD treatment and quality of life. There is a need for a large-scale #Study on the overlap of and interactions between SUD, chronic pain, and PTSD. Objective: The Norwegian Addiction, Pain and Trauma #Study (NOR-APT) is the first longitudinal #Study to describe how substance use and outcomes of SUD treatment are impacted by (1) chronic pain and pain characteristics and (2) interactions between comorbid chronic pain and PTSD. Methods: Self-reported questionnaire data were collected from patients in all types of SUD treatment at four hospital sites in Norway. The questionnaire data on substance use, pain, and posttraumatic stress symptoms will be combined with retrospective and prospective longitudinal data from high-quality demographic and health registries. The registry data cover, for example, treatment episodes, diagnoses, and prescribed medications and socioeconomic variables, with a follow-up period of altogether 20 years (approximately 2008-2029). Results: Questionnaire data were collected during March 2021-June 2024. Altogether 1890 patients were approached, and 1645 (87%) questionnaires were completed. The estimated final sample size pending data cleaning (eg, removal of duplicates and validation of consent forms) is 1400-1500. Linkage of registry data for approximately 1000 with valid ID numbers and consent is planned for 2026 (retrospective) and 2029/2030 (prospective). At least 10 publications are planned in the period 2025-2028, based on funding received from the Foundation Dam, the Norwegian #Research Council, Akershus University Hospital, and Oslo University Hospital. We plan to apply for further funding related to the use of the prospective registry data. Conclusions: Results from the NOR-APT #Study will contribute to a better understanding of SUD, chronic pain and PTSD comorbidities, their interactions, trajectories and impact on SUD treatment outcomes, and subjective quality of life. Results can also contribute knowledge toward the development and assessment of treatment interventions that can improve SUD treatment outcomes. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04908410; https://clinicaltrials.gov/#Study/NCT04908410