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Interventions after Traumatic Events

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 12087

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer, 26723 Emden, Germany;WRSC, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453, United States
Interests: built and social environment and mental health and resilience; violence and mental health, traumatic life events and mental health; and life-course epidemiology

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Guest Editor
Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
Interests: trauma and recovery; mental health care, posttraumatic stress disorder; refugees and immigrants

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Traumatic events have effects on physical and mental health. Characteristics of the events and the environment in which the events happen can directly influence mental health. Psychosocial interventions have been less studied so far as there was often a focus on psychological or psychiatric interventions. Following increasing awareness that psychological or psychiatric interventions might not be effective, it is timely to review psychosocial interventions.

This research topic aims to report on recent papers investigating and understanding psychosocial interventions in the aftermath of traumatic events. The aim is to highlight the advances that have been made in this research area in recent years and progress towards how best to assess the short- and long-term impacts of psychosocial interventions on different population groups. A particular focus of the research topic is on methodological improvements in this area of interventions.

We welcome articles focused on, but not restricted to, the following subtopics:

  • Impact of psychosocial interventions on the mental health of adults;
  • Developing new interventions;
  • Psychosocial intervention in different settings;
  • Does culture matter—effectiveness of psychosocial interventions;
  • Characteristics of traumatic events and potential interventions;
  • Gender differences in the effectiveness of interventions;
  • Vulnerability—a critical concept;
  • Strengthening strength—perceptions of resilience and post-traumatic growth

Prof. Dr. Jutta Lindert
Dr. Richard F. Mollica
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • mental health
  • traumatic events
  • psychosocial interventions
  • gender differences
  • psychopathology

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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16 pages, 3723 KiB  
Article
Adherence to Psychological First Aid after Exposure to a Traumatic Event at Work among EMS Workers: A Qualitative Study
by Marine Tessier, Josianne Lamothe and Steve Geoffrion
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11026; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111026 - 20 Oct 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3723
Abstract
Managing post-traumatic stress reactions in the first few days after exposure to a potentially traumatic event in the course of one’s work remains a challenge for first responder organizations such as Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an evidence-informed approach [...] Read more.
Managing post-traumatic stress reactions in the first few days after exposure to a potentially traumatic event in the course of one’s work remains a challenge for first responder organizations such as Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an evidence-informed approach to reducing initial distress and promoting short- and long-term coping strategies among staff in the aftermath of exposure. PFA provided by peer helpers is considered a promising solution for first responder organizations. Unfortunately, first responders may encounter stigma and barriers to mental health care. Therefore, a deeper investigation is needed regarding adherence over time to implemented PFA intervention. The purpose of this study is to qualitatively explore factors that influence adherence to PFA intervention of recipients and peer helpers. EMS workers (n = 11), working as PFA peer helpers for one year, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis; intercoder reliability (κ = 0.91) was also used. Researchers identified four themes and 11 subthemes influencing adherence to PFA intervention: (1) individual perceptions and attitudes of peer helpers and recipients about pfa intervention; (2) perceived impacts on peer helpers and recipients; (3) organizational support to pfa intervention; and (4) congruence with the occupational culture. Study findings herein suggest that it is conceivable to act on various factors to improve adherence to PFA intervention among peer helpers and recipients within EMS organization. This could lead to enhanced understanding of the challenges involved in sustaining a peer led PFA program for first responders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interventions after Traumatic Events)
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16 pages, 1224 KiB  
Study Protocol
Psychological Intervention in Women Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse: An Open Study—Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing EMDR Psychotherapy and Trauma-Based Cognitive Therapy
by Milagros Molero-Zafra, María Teresa Mitjans-Lafont, María Jesús Hernández-Jiménez and Marián Pérez-Marín
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7468; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127468 - 17 Jun 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 7620
Abstract
Introduction: Most victims of sexual abuse have symptoms that may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. This study aims to offer evidence-based psychological treatment to women who have been sexually abused earlier in life and currently have sequelae from that trauma. With this treatment, [...] Read more.
Introduction: Most victims of sexual abuse have symptoms that may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. This study aims to offer evidence-based psychological treatment to women who have been sexually abused earlier in life and currently have sequelae from that trauma. With this treatment, each of the women in the study will hopefully improve their overall quality of life and, more specifically, it is expected that post-traumatic stress symptoms will decrease, as found in recent studies, as well as strengthening their security, confidence, and coping with the situations they have experienced. Methods and analysis: The effect of two therapeutic approaches focused on the improvement of trauma will be evaluated in a sample of 30–50 women victims of childhood sexual abuse, with a randomized clinical trial comparing EMDR psychotherapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. According to the literature reviewed, both approaches will considerably improve self-esteem when the appropriate number of sessions are conducted, significantly reducing general psychiatric symptoms and depression. Furthermore, the effects are sustained over time. It should be noted that this study will be carried out comparing both therapies, analyzing both the differential benefit of each and the cumulative effect of receiving both treatments and in which order. It is also intended to demonstrate that implementing the protocols presented in this study will help improve the quality of life of the women who benefit from them, and after this study, it will be possible to replicate this program in other people with the same problems. Each of the therapeutic benefits of each of them will be analyzed, and clinical and logistical guidance will be provided to implement both, including a session-by-session protocol. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interventions after Traumatic Events)
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