Posttraumatic stress symptoms in parents of children with newly diagnosed cancer: 1-year trajectories and relationship variables as predictors.

Objective: The way in which parental posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) unfold in the first year after a cancer diagnosis in their child is poorly understood. The aims of this study were to identify parental PTSS trajectories and to examine couple-related predictors (dyadic coping and we-disease appraisals), sociodemographic predictors (education and sex), and medical predictors (child's physical impairment) of trajectory membership.

Method: A 1-year prospective study was conducted, and 157 parents of children newly diagnosed with cancer were assessed.

Assessing We-Disease Appraisals of Health Problems: Development and Validation of the We-Disease Questionnaire.

In couples dealing with health problems, we-disease appraisals can influence dyadic coping strategies to alleviate distress. This study describes the development and validation of a self-report scale to assess we-disease appraisals of health problems. The newly developed We-Disease Questionnaire (WDQ) was administered in three samples: parents of children with type 1 diabetes ( = 240) or cancer ( = 125) and individuals with visual impairment and their partners ( = 216).

The differential impact of the DSM-5 post-traumatic stress symptoms on functional impairment in traumatized children and adolescents.

Background: This study aims to provide a better understanding of the individual impact of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) on functional impairment in trauma-exposed children and adolescents. Identifying PTSS that have the most impact on functional impairment can broaden our understanding of post-trauma reactions and guide the selection of treatment components and techniques required to help patients to restore functioning following trauma exposure.

Method: Utilizing relative importance analyses, unique shared variance of each DSM-5 PTSS with functional impairment were estimated in clinical samples of 3400 Norwegian (M = 14.

Age-related similarities and differences in networks of acute trauma-related stress symptoms in younger and older preschool children.

Background: Prior research on trauma-exposed preschool children has found various levels of trauma-related stress symptoms depending on age, which might be explained by developmental factors.

Objective: This study uses network analysis to extend prior research and compare symptom presentation in younger and older preschoolers in the acute phase (first 4 weeks) following a potentially traumatic event.

Method: Parent-reported trauma-related acute stress symptoms were assessed using the Pediatric Emotional Distress Scale - Early Screener via www.

The importance of the DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms of cognitions and mood in traumatized children and adolescents: two network approaches.

Background: The aim of this study is to provide a better understanding of the central symptoms of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents from the perspective of the child and its caregiver. Identifying core symptoms of PTSD can help clinicians to understand what may be relevant targets for treatment. PTSD may present itself differently in children and adolescents compared to adults, and no study so far has investigated the DSM-5 PTSD conceptualization using network analysis.