The effectiveness of accelerated experiential dynamic psychotherapy (AEDP) in private practice settings: A transdiagnostic study conducted within the context of a practice-research network.

Accelerated experiential dynamic psychotherapy (AEDP) is an integrative model of psychotherapy that brings together relational and experiential work, with the aim of not only alleviating suffering but also bringing about flourishing. The present study took place within a developing AEDP practice research network and examined outcomes for 62 self-referred adults treated using a 16-session format of AEDP treatment. Participants completed self-report measures before and following treatment.

Alcohol-Related Consequences Mediating PTSD Symptoms and Mental Health-Related Quality of Life in OEF/OIF Combat Veterans.

Veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) have been found to be at increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorders, leading to negative mental health-related quality of life (MHRQoL). The current study examined the unique impact of alcohol consumption levels versus alcohol-related consequences on the relationship between PTSD symptoms and MHRQoL in a sample of OEF/OIF combat veterans (N = 205, median age 29, 95% men). Mediation analyses indicated that the effect of PTSD symptoms on MHRQoL was explained only by alcohol-related consequences and not by alcohol consumption.

Impact of childhood maltreatment on physical health-related quality of life in U.S. active duty military personnel and combat veterans.

Previous studies have found an association between childhood maltreatment (CM) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and to a lesser extent have considered whether psychiatric symptoms may explain the relationship. This study aimed to further our understanding of the link between CM and HRQoL by testing whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and physical HRQoL. Mediation models were examined in a sample of male Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) active duty and combat veterans (n=249).

The Peritraumatic Behavior Questionnaire: development and initial validation of a new measure for combat-related peritraumatic reactions.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most commonly observed stress-related conditions following combat exposure and its effective prevention is a high health-care priority. Reports of peritraumatic reactions have been shown to be highly associated with PTSD among combat exposed service members. However, existing instruments measuring peritraumatic symptoms were not specifically developed to assess combat-related peritraumatic stress and each demonstrates a different peritraumatic focus.

Military sexual trauma research: a proposed agenda.

Military sexual trauma (MST) is a widespread problem associated with negative psychological and physical health problems. This article presents the current state of MST research and highlights specific areas in need of more focused study. Areas that have produced the greatest body of knowledge include MST prevalence and psychological and physical health correlates.

Identification of post traumatic stress disorder and risk factors in military first responders 6 months after Wen Chuan earthquake in China.

Background: Military personnel commonly serve as first responders to natural disasters. Our aim is to identify Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and determine risk in military responders to the Wen Chuan earthquake.

Methods: Analyses were carried out on 1056 of the 1125 soldiers enrolled.

The role of emotional numbing in sexual functioning among veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) negatively impacts sexuality, yet few studies have evaluated which component of PTSD contributes to this known association. The present study examined which of four PTSD clusters (numbing, avoidance, intrusiveness, and hyperarousal) was most closely linked to sexual problems in a sample of 197 veterans from the Iraq or Afghanistan wars. Newly registered veterans completed a packet of questionnaires including standardized measures of PTSD and questions regarding sexual functioning.

Female veterans of the OEF/OIF conflict: concordance of PTSD symptoms and substance misuse.

This study examined the post-deployment rates of comorbid PTSD and substance abuse in a cohort of female veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). Female OEF/OIF veterans and reservists (N=36) completed a battery of assessments as part of a larger study. Of the 36 participants, 11 (31%) screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 17 (47%) screened positive for high-risk drinking and 2 (6%) screened positive for drug abuse.

Trauma exposure, branch of service, and physical injury in relation to mental health among U.S. veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Significant mental health symptoms are reported in troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan (OEF/OIF). Symptomatic troops are more likely to be discharged and become eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) care. Prevalence and predictors of mental health symptoms were assessed in 339 OEF/OIF veterans and reservists registering at the San Diego DVA.

The association of posttraumatic stress disorder and metabolic syndrome: a study of increased health risk in veterans.

Background: There is accumulating evidence for a link between trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and diminished health status. To assess PTSD-related biological burden, we measured biological factors that comprise metabolic syndrome, an important established predictor of morbidity and mortality, as a correlate of long-term health risk in PTSD.

Methods: We analyzed clinical data from 253 male and female veterans, corresponding to five factors linked to metabolic syndrome (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio and fasting measures of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, serum triglycerides and plasma glucose concentration).

Remembering the pain: accuracy of pain recall in endometriosis.

Endometriosis diagnosis and treatment planning are guided primarily by retrospective pain recall, despite the facts that (1) there is only a tenuous relationship between pain reports and physical pathology, and (2) the accuracy of pain recall has never been assessed in this population. The current study investigated the accuracy of endometriotic pain recall for pain experienced over a 30-day period, as well as potential psychological mediators of pain recall accuracy, including psychological wellbeing, distress specific to infertility, passive and active coping, and pain present at time of recall in 100 women with endometriosis. Findings indicated that women were relatively accurate in their recall of pain.

Gender differences in the content of cognitive distraction during sex.

This study compared 220 college men and 237 college women on two types of self-reported cognitive distraction during sex, performance- and appearance-based. Affect, psychological distress, sexual knowledge, attitudes, fantasies, experiences, body image, satisfaction, and sexual function were assessed with the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory and the Sexual History Form to determine associations with distraction. Between-gender analyses revealed that women reported higher levels of overall and appearance-based distraction than did men, but similar levels of performance-based distraction.