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Jan 2026 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-612X.ijpr-25-5920
Aikaterini ΚoutroukiCorresponding author
The present study examines the effectiveness of Cognitive-Analytic Therapy (CAT) in women diagnosed with breast cancer and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on reducing PTSD symptomatology and improving their mental health state (depression, self-esteem, post- traumatic growth, quality of life, therapeutic alliance). Additionally, the investigation includes the determination of the demographic, socio-economic and medical factors’ impact on mental health indicators in women with breast cancer and PTSD. The sample was 188 women with breast cancer and PTSD at the Chemotherapy Unit of ‘Agios Andreas’ General Hospital in Patras. The questionnaire data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analysis in order to determine any statistically significant correlations between the experimental and the control group and between psychological scales and the demographic and socio-economic factors. The findings confirm the effectiveness of CAT in women with breast cancer and PTSD in reducing PTSD and depressive symptoms, improving self-esteem and quality of life, achieving greater post-traumatic growth, and fostering a better therapeutic relationship with the therapist. The demographic, socio-economic and medical factors examined affected dissimilarly each psychological scale, as statistically significant associations were found with some scales but not with others.
Nov 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2693-1176.ijgh-25-5745
Poole JolyonCorresponding author
Background Healthcare worker stress, anxiety, burnout, and trauma have been widely documented across global healthcare systems. Staff in maternal and neonatal units frequently encounter emotionally distressing events and work under high pressure with limited resources. In Zambia, despite some gains in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, fatality rates remain above national targets, exposing staff to repeated occupational trauma. Objective(s) This study aimed to assess the psychological well-being of staff in maternal and neonatal intensive care units, identify specific needs and stressors, and develop practical recommendations to improve resilience and support staff mental health. Methods A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted at Ndola Teaching Hospital (NTH) and Arthur Davison Children's Hospital (ADCH), two major tertiary hospitals in Zambia. Data were collected over four days in February 2025. The study included 87 (out of 161) healthcare professionals, including nurses, midwives, and doctors. The Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS) and the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version 5 (ProQOL 5) were used to collect quantitative data, which were analysed using descriptive statistics and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Open-ended survey questions provided qualitative data, which were analysed using thematic analysis. Ethical approval was granted by the hospital ethics committee. Results High rates of clinical symptoms were observed. The overall prevalence of symptoms in the past 30 days was: anxiety (62%), depression (68%), burnout (50%), and secondary traumatic stress (46%). Junior doctors demonstrated the highest rates of depression (83%) and burnout (67%). The obstetrics and gynaecology and labour wards had the highest rates of secondary traumatic stress symptoms. Key qualitative themes identified were professional stressors, team and leadership issues, and the emotional burden of the work. Conclusion This study highlights an urgent need for both psychological and organizational support for maternal and neonatal healthcare staff in Zambia. The findings indicate that burnout and secondary traumatic stress are highly prevalent, particularly among junior doctors and those in high-risk wards. Targeted interventions at both systemic and individual levels are necessary to protect the well-being of healthcare workers and improve patient outcomes.
Aug 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-612X.ijpr-17-1568
Xu WeiCorresponding author
Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
This study examined the mediating role of alcohol use in the relationship between PTSD symptoms and trauma-related psychotic reactions. A total of 231 participants including 181 females were recruited via web advertisement and flyers. Alcohol use condition, trauma-related psychotic experience, and PTSD symptoms were measured by Feeling the need to Cut down, Annoyed by criticism, Guilty about drinking, and need for an Eye-opener in the morning (CAGE), Psychosis Screening Questionnaire (PSU) and Short screening scale for posttraumatic stress disorder (SSSP). All the participants were asked to finish the questionnaire package on the Internet and were interviewed later to validate the screening. Logistic regression was used to estimate the mediating effect of alcohol use. Results showed that alcohol use played a mediating role between PTSD symptoms and auditory hallucination while this effect didn’t exist between PTSD symptoms and paranoia. Findings indicated that hallucination and paranoia in people with PTSD symptoms were influenced by alcohol use in diverse ways.
Aug 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-612X.ijpr-20-3491
Amjad KarismaCorresponding author
PhD Fellow, Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Climate change is a global challenge which is likely to affect the mankind in substantial ways. Not only climate change is expected to affect physical health, it is also likely to affect mental health. Increased frequency of disasters with climate change can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, and depression. Changes in climate may require population to migrate, which can lead to acculturation stress. It can also lead to increased rates of physical illnesses, which secondarily would be associated with psychological distress. Using a qualitative approach, this research explores the mental health status of migrant women in two urban slum areas in Dhaka city. The purpose of this study is to perform a review of existing secondary data and present mental health scenario of climate migrant women among slum dwellers and amplified gaps in knowledge regarding psychological health care system in Bangladesh. It is found that there is a lack of mental health preparedness and response in majority parts in the country specially the city slum, where aid cannot be reached to the sufferers. The paper concludes with a discussion of what can and should be done to tackle the expected mental health issues consequent to climate change and migration.
May 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-20-3367
Yadav RavinderCorresponding author
Medical Social Welfare Officer Department of Medical Record Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector-32, Chandigarh, India
We explore the global evidence of major health crisis potential impacts and the factors influencing the mental health outcomes among the population during the outbreak of COVID-19. Preparation measures for a COVID-19 focus on rapid quarantine of social isolation and economic concerns have risen metal health considerations that become an integrated part of the pandemic outbreak. This outbreak of novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is swayed an overall 213 countries, areas or territories, with over 2,921,439 confirmed cases and 203,289 confirmed deaths reported till 26 April 2020. This created a lot of strain and fear; fear of falling ill and dying of being infected leading to heightened levels of insurmountable psychological pressure. This scrutiny attempt to assess the widespread outbreaks of COVID-19 on mental health professionals, healthcare workers and general population in association with adverse mental health sequelae like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), depressive symptoms, insomnia, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, OCD, suicidal behavior, delirium, psychosis, harmful alcohol consumption, and drug use. There is a need for more evocative exploration to intensify awareness to address the potential psychological and behavioral risks that will remain elevated as long as the COVID-19 pandemic continues in the community. In conclusion, incessant surveillance of the subsyndromal mental health problems for outbreaks should be part of galvanized global action during the quarantine.
Apr 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2640-690X.jfm-19-2725
Murphy DominicCorresponding author
Combat Stress, Leatherhead, UK.
Background Romantic partners living alongside veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) appear at increased risk of secondary traumatic stress (sPTSD) and common mental health difficulties (CMD) compared to the general population. The severity of symptoms implies the need for structured, bespoke and evidence-based interventions. Objective The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of offering a community support programme (The Together Programme, TTP) for military partners. TTP was developed based upon a number of US programmes and consisted of 10 hours of group-based support delivered over a five-week course. 56 participants engaged in TTP over a year at nine locations across the UK and were followed up three months later. Methods Measures of CMD, sPTSD, alcohol use and relationship satisfaction were used to assess benefits. Data were also collected on attendance and participant feedback. Results Significant reductions were observed for symptoms of sPTSD and CMD at follow up. 51/56 (90.1%) participants completed TTP. The majority of participants reported positive experiences. However, several individuals stated wanting more sessions and that barriers such as work, and family commitments made it difficult to attend. Conclusions Whilst limitations exist, the data presented suggests cautious optimism for the efficacy of offering a structured programme of support to address the needs of military partners living alongside PTSD.
Jun 2018
Ladislav Valach,Corresponding author
Lindenstrasse 26,3047 Bremgarten, Switzerland.
Objectives: Torture survivors suffer psychosocial distress such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Patients with PTSD and depression have increased risk for suicidal behavior. The aim of this study is to identify those torture and war survivors who have suicidal thoughts and describe their psychological profile as assessed in SCL-90-R. The patients of the Swiss Red Cross Centre for Torture Victims receiving psychotherapy were monitored with the SCL-90-R (N=58). Results: Out of 56 patients 32 (57%) declared that they did not suffer under the thought to end their own life (0=not at all), 10 (18%) indicated that they suffered substantially (scale value 3) or extremely (4) while 14 (25%) suffered somehow (1, 2). The endorsement of the suicide ideation correlates highly with all SCL-90-R scales, particularly with the scale Depression and PTSD indicating that the patients with suicide ideation also show considerable psychopathology. The scale Depression explained 40% of the variance of the suicide thoughts item and the scale Anger-hostility added another 5%. Conclusion: Suicide prevention should be an important part of the treatment and care in dealing with war and torture survivors.
Jun 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-612X.ijpr-18-2110
Xu WeiCorresponding author
School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University
Purpose: There are nearly 170,000 new cases of breast cancer in China every year, and this number is showing an increasing trend. Mental health plays an important role in promoting the physical rehabilitation of patients. Therefore, attention paid to their psychological problems needs to be reinforced. The current study aims to investigate the mental health states of the breast cancer patients and provides the references for their psychosomatic rehabilitation in the future work. Methods: A total of 643 breast cancer patients completed the whole study. A questionnaire survey on anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and posttraumatic growth (PTG) was conducted in Jiangsu Women and Children Health Hospital. Results: 13.53% breast cancer patients had anxiety; 21.5% had depression; the prevalence of PTSD was 7.15%, while the prevalence of PTG was 26.12%; Anxiety levels in older patients were significantly lower than those in the other two groups; PTG levels in older patients were significantly lower than those in the other two groups. Conclusion: Breast cancer patients have certain emotional distress and stress symptoms, but they also experience psychologically positive changes. And age shows various differences on anxiety and PTG. Clinical medical personnel should pay attention to the patient's psychological rehabilitation when concerning about the physical rehabilitation of patients. Patients in different ages have different mental health problems, thus the medical staff shall provide differential nursing plans for them.
Feb 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-18-1887
S. Hageman NathanCorresponding author
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA Corresponding Author
The application of bilateral alternating stimulation in tactile (BLAST) form technology, a non-invasive, somatosensory-based method, has been shown to modulate the electrical activity of brain networks that mediate the stress response, resulting in a stress-reducing effect in individuals with high reported levels of anxiety, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this study, we examined archival data from a heterogeneous group of users (n = 1109) of BLAST technology via Touchpoints, a novel BLAST-based treatment modality, all of whom had high self-reported levels of stress and anxiety. Ratings of levels of emotional stress and bodily distress on a scale of 0 (no stress/distress) to 10 (worst stress/distress of one's life) before and after the application of Touchpoints for 30 seconds were entered into an app. Results showed a statistically significant reduction in the levels of both emotional stress and bodily distress, 62.26% and 50.502%, respectively, after 30 seconds of BLAST technology was applied. This demonstrates a clear benefit of BLAST on the stress response, reducing both emotional stress and disturbing body sensations. Recent work examining EEG changes after BLAST technology is applied suggests that BLAST may reduce sympathetic activation by reducing the electrical activity of key areas of the salience network. Further work will more precisely characterize the effects of BLAST, its potential clinical uses, and the mechanisms of actions behind it’s apparent stress-reducing effects.
Sep 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-9273.jbtm-16-1189
Martin KarenCorresponding author
School of Population Health (M431), The University of Western Australia
Objectives: This pilot study explored post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and moderate to severe psychological distress in a small sample of urban community-living adolescents seeking asylum in Australia. The study also examined the relationships between post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and psychological distress and school and family support and connectedness. Method: A cross-sectional survey examined PTSS (Abbreviated PTSD Checklist), psychological distress (Kessler-5) and school connectedness (California Healthy Kids Survey)53 in 27 adolescents seeking asylum (ages 12-17, mean 15.4) attending two independent secondary schools in Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. Results: In the sample, 63.0% (n=17, 1 missing) of adolescents exceeded the PTSS threshold (i.e. screened positive for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) and 66.7% (n=18) exceeded the Kessler -5 threshold indicating moderate to severe psychological distress. Overall, 51.9 % (n=14, 1 missing) of adolescents screened above both thresholds suggesting co-occurrence of PTSD and moderate to severe psychological distress. Boys (x̄=15.0, SD=2.9) experienced higher psychological distress scores than girls (x̄=12.1, SD=4.5; p=0.071). Higher perceived support by an adult in school (r=0.13), and at home (r=0.28) were weakly associated with lower PTSS. Less time in Australia was weak-moderately associated with higher psychological distress (r=0.35). Weak associations between higher psychological distress and age (r=0.17) and those who felt more supported by an adult at home (r=0.17) were detected. Conclusion: Approximately two thirds of this group of community-living adolescents who were seeking asylum experienced post- traumatic stress symptoms or psychological distress; and more than one half experienced both. These pilot research findings suggest that adolescents who are seeking asylum and living in the Australian community are at risk of experiencing PTSD and moderate to severe psychological distress; research incorporating larger samples and longitudinal measurement is required. Screening, clinical assessment and examination of the immediate and long term impact, as well as implementation and evaluation of evidence-based mental health interventions, within these populations is also recommended.