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Fritz M, Soravia SM, Dudeck M, Malli L, Fakhoury M. Neurobiology of Aggression-Review of Recent Findings and Relationship with Alcohol and Trauma. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12030469. [PMID: 36979161 PMCID: PMC10044835 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Aggression can be conceptualized as any behavior, physical or verbal, that involves attacking another person or animal with the intent of causing harm, pain or injury. Because of its high prevalence worldwide, aggression has remained a central clinical and public safety issue. Aggression can be caused by several risk factors, including biological and psychological, such as genetics and mental health disorders, and socioeconomic such as education, employment, financial status, and neighborhood. Research over the past few decades has also proposed a link between alcohol consumption and aggressive behaviors. Alcohol consumption can escalate aggressive behavior in humans, often leading to domestic violence or serious crimes. Converging lines of evidence have also shown that trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could have a tremendous impact on behavior associated with both alcohol use problems and violence. However, although the link between trauma, alcohol, and aggression is well documented, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms and their impact on behavior have not been properly discussed. This article provides an overview of recent advances in understanding the translational neurobiological basis of aggression and its intricate links to alcoholism and trauma, focusing on behavior. It does so by shedding light from several perspectives, including in vivo imaging, genes, receptors, and neurotransmitters and their influence on human and animal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Fritz
- School of Health and Social Sciences, AKAD University of Applied Sciences, 70191 Stuttgart, Germany
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ulm University, BKH Günzburg, Lindenallee 2, 89312 Günzburg, Germany
| | - Sarah-Maria Soravia
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ulm University, BKH Günzburg, Lindenallee 2, 89312 Günzburg, Germany
| | - Manuela Dudeck
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ulm University, BKH Günzburg, Lindenallee 2, 89312 Günzburg, Germany
| | - Layal Malli
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut P.O. Box 13-5053, Lebanon
| | - Marc Fakhoury
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut P.O. Box 13-5053, Lebanon
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Ripley AJ, Clapp JD, Wilkowski BM. Trauma and aggression: Evaluating the influence of primed hostility and survivor sex. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 61:1154-1168. [PMID: 35938347 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The relation between posttrauma symptoms and aggression is an area of growing interest in the larger clinical literature. The current project looked to examine the impact of primed hostility on aggressive responding in men and women with and without a history of prior trauma. DESIGN Experimental aggression paradigm assessed in a 2 (Group) × 2 (Sex) × 2 (Prime) mixed factorial ANOVA. METHODS Trauma-naïve participants (N = 52) and survivors reporting active symptoms (N = 43) were exposed to hostile and neutral lexical primes in what was presented as a reaction time task played against an unseen 'opponent'. In actuality, 'wins' and 'losses' during the task were assigned by an automated system. The intensity of an aversive sound blast delivered by participants to the supposed opponent in trials the participant 'won' served as an index of behavioural aggression. RESULTS Repeated-measures ANOVA identified a between-by-within interaction of exposure group and lexical prime (p = .010; η p 2 $$ {\eta}_p^2 $$ = .070), with trauma-exposed participants (p = .002, Δ = .30), but not controls (p = .159, Δ = .11), demonstrating elevations in aggression subsequent to hostile priming. A sex by prime interaction (p = .001; η p 2 $$ {\eta}_p^2 $$ = .117) similarly indicated elevated aggression following hostile priming in men (p = .007, Δ = .58) as compared to women (p = .062, Δ = .10). CONCLUSIONS Results offer preliminary support for the association of situationally primed hostility and biological sex with aggressive responding in survivors reporting active symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Ripley
- Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA.,Summa Health System's Traumatic Stress Center, Akron, Ohio, USA
| | - Joshua D Clapp
- Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
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Womersley JS, Xulu KR, Sommer J, Hinsberger M, Kidd M, Elbert T, Weierstall R, Kaminer D, Malan-Müller S, Seedat S, M J Hemmings S. Associations between telomere length and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and appetitive aggression in trauma-exposed men. Neurosci Lett 2021; 769:136388. [PMID: 34890718 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to community violence is common in South Africa and negatively impacts on biopsychosocial health. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterised by symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, hypervigilance and negative alterations in cognition and mood, and can develop consequent to trauma exposure. Individuals who repeatedly experience and witness violence may also come to view it as appealing and rewarding. This appetitive aggression (AA) increases the likelihood of perpetrating violence. Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences that protect the ends of chromosomes. Telomere length (TL) attrition is a stress-sensitive marker of biological aging that has been associated with a range of psychiatric disorders. This study investigated the cross-sectional relationship between TL and symptoms of PTSD and AA in South African men residing in areas with high community violence. PTSD and AA symptom severity was assessed in 290 men using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale - Interview (PSS-I) and Appetitive Aggression Scale (AAS), respectively. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed on DNA extracted from saliva and used to calculate relative TL (rTL). Regression models were used to assess the relationships between rTL and PSS-I and AAS scores. Network analyses using EBIC glasso methods were performed using rTL and items from each of the AAS and PSS-I measures. Both PSS-I (p = 0.023) and AAS (p = 0.016) scores were positively associated with rTL. Network analyses indicated that rTL was weakly related to two PSS-I and five AAS items but performed poorly on indicators of centrality and was not strongly associated with measure items either directly or indirectly. The positive association between rTL and measures of AA and PTSD may be due to the induction of protective homeostatic mechanisms, which reduce TL attrition, following early life trauma exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline S Womersley
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council / Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Khethelo R Xulu
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Jessica Sommer
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
| | | | - Martin Kidd
- Centre for Statistical Consultation, Department of Statistics & Actuarial Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Thomas Elbert
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Roland Weierstall
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany; Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; Oberberg Clinics, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Debbie Kaminer
- Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Stefanie Malan-Müller
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council / Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Sian M J Hemmings
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council / Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Kaltenbach E, Hermenau K, Schauer M, Dohrmann K, Elbert T, Schalinski I. Trajectories of posttraumatic stress symptoms during and after Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) in refugees. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:312. [PMID: 32552778 PMCID: PMC7298826 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02720-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trauma-focused therapy approaches are recommended as treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This includes the treatment of trauma-related suffering in refugee populations. However, there is a lack of knowledge about symptom trajectories in refugees living in volatile conditions. This has led to fear of "retraumatisation" and general skepticism in clinicians concerning the use of exposure therapy. METHODS To test the relevance of this concern, we investigated PTSD symptom trajectories and potentially influencing factors during the course of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) in a refugee sample living in Germany. Refugees filled out the PTSD Checklist prior to each treatment session and also during follow-up interviews. Therapists continuously documented positive and negative life events as well as the content of the treatment sessions. Additionally, structured clinical interviews were conducted pre-treatment and at follow-up time points. RESULTS On average, clients presented with substantial decreases in PTSD symptoms already during and after NET. However, symptom trajectories differed and ranged from fast responders to slow responders to no immediate response during treatment. Importantly, a persistent worsening of symptoms was not observed, also not after exposure to the most distressing events. In contrast, stressful life experiences seemed to aggravate PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with earlier studies, NET leads to clinically and behaviorally relevant reductions in PTSD symptoms both throughout and following treatment in refugees living in volatile conditions. Concerns about imaginal exposure in refugees were not substantiated. While stressful life events contributed to transient symptom increases, they weren't found to prevent the overall effectiveness of NET. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02852616.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Kaltenbach
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany. .,Centre for Research in Family Health, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada. .,Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Katharin Hermenau
- grid.9811.10000 0001 0658 7699Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany ,Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany
| | - Maggie Schauer
- grid.9811.10000 0001 0658 7699Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany ,Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany
| | - Katalin Dohrmann
- grid.9811.10000 0001 0658 7699Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany ,Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany
| | - Thomas Elbert
- grid.9811.10000 0001 0658 7699Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany ,Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany
| | - Inga Schalinski
- grid.9811.10000 0001 0658 7699Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany ,Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany ,Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Institute of Medical Psychology, Berlin, Germany
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Park JK, Park J, Elbert T, Kim SJ. Effects of Narrative Exposure Therapy on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Insomnia in Traumatized North Korean Refugee Youth. J Trauma Stress 2020; 33:353-359. [PMID: 32216143 PMCID: PMC7317474 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Refugees affected by multiple traumatic stressors are at high risk for developing trauma-related mental disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and insomnia, which is sometimes overlooked. The present study examined the effectiveness of narrative exposure therapy (NET) on trauma-related symptoms in a sample of North Korean refugee youth. We focused on sleep patterns in addition to changes in symptom severity for PTSD, depression, and internalizing and externalizing symptoms. North Korean refugee youth (N = 20) with PTSD were assigned to either an NET-based treatment group or a control group, which consisted of treatment as usual (TAU). There were clinically significant reductions in PTSD, depression, and internalizing and externalizing symptoms for the NET group, Hedges' g = 3.6, but not the TAU group. The change in diagnostic status for PTSD was more notable for participants in the NET group compared to the TAU group. Of note, NET also produced a significant improvement in insomnia symptoms and sleep quality, Hedges' g = 2.1. The substantial recovery regarding overall posttraumatic symptoms in the NET group was observed 2 weeks after the end of treatment and remained stable at 6-month follow-up. The results of the present study suggest that NET may be a treatment option for traumatized North Korean refugee youth and may also be effective for the treatment of sleep problems that arise from traumatic experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinme K. Park
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of KonstanzKonstanzGermany
| | - Jinah Park
- Department of CounselingKyonggy UniversitySuwonRepublic of Korea
| | - Thomas Elbert
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of KonstanzKonstanzGermany
| | - Seog Ju Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Samsung Medical CenterSungkyunkwan University School of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
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Augsburger M, Maercker A. Associations between trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder, and aggression perpetrated by women. A meta‐analysis. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY-SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/cpsp.12322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas Maercker
- Department of Psychology University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland
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Alone, but protected? Effects of social support on mental health of unaccompanied refugee minors. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2019; 28:769-780. [PMID: 30382357 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-018-1246-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) are the most vulnerable group of refugees suffering from higher levels of mental health problems. Yet, there is also a group of URM with little or no symptoms or disorders. A major predictor for positive mental health outcomes is the social support network in the post-flight period which has rarely been investigated for the group of URM. The present study analyzes differences between perceived social support from family, peers, and adult mentors in URM, with subgroup analyses of peer and mentor support in URM with and without family contact. Furthermore, we investigate whether social support from each of the three sectors moderates the relationship between stressful life events (SLE) and mental health of URM with family contact. Questionnaire data were collected from 105 male URM from Syria and Afghanistan aged 14-19 years who were living in group homes of the Child Protection Services in Leipzig, Germany, in summer 2017. URM receive most social support from their families, followed by peers and adult mentors. URM without family contact received less peer and mentor support compared to URM with family contact. Lower social support from mentors increased the risk for PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms after SLE, whereas lower social support from peers increased the association between SLE and anxiety symptoms. Mentor and peer support in the host country is relevant for the processing of SLE. URM without family contact represent a "double burden" group, as they might feel less supported by other social networks.
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Park J, Elbert T, Kim SJ, Park J. The Contribution of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression to Insomnia in North Korean Refugee Youth. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:211. [PMID: 31024363 PMCID: PMC6463899 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Refugees are exposed to multiple traumatic and stressful events and thereby are at higher risk for developing a variety of psychological sequelae including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the relation of PTSD to other mental health conditions has not been fully revealed in refugee populations. The present study investigated relationships among trauma exposure, PTSD, depression, and insomnia in North Korean refugee youth. Seventy-four refugee youth were assessed for exposure to traumatic events, PTSD, depression, and insomnia symptoms. The results showed high rates of multiple trauma exposures among the refugee youth and high incidences of co-occurring symptoms of PTSD and insomnia in those who have multiple trauma. Furthermore, the overall symptoms and four cluster symptoms of PTSD were strongly correlated with insomnia in addition to depression. In the path model to predict insomnia, PTSD affected insomnia only through depression, indicating that the greater the levels of PTSD suffered, the greater the likelihood for developing sleep problems via depression. The present study indicates how sleep problems relate to trauma-related symptoms, i.e., PTSD and depression in refugee populations, and highlights the need for further investigation of the specific relation between sleep problems and trauma-related symptoms for effective evaluation and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinme Park
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Thomas Elbert
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Seog Ju Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jinah Park
- Department of Counseling, Kyonggy University, Suwon, South Korea
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9
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Park S, Lee M, Park SJ, Lee MG. Health risk behaviors and psychological problems among South Korean, North Korean, and other multicultural family adolescents (2011-2016). Psychiatry Res 2018; 268:373-380. [PMID: 30103182 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study was aimed to investigate the health risk behaviors and psychological problems among North Korean, other multicultural, and South Korean family adolescents. The data were collected from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior web-based survey (2011-2016) data set. A total of 17,195 adolescents (mean age 14.65 ± 0.01 years) were analyzed to compare health risk behaviors and psychological problems among the three groups. Concerning risk behaviors, multicultural family adolescents showed a higher rate of alcohol use, smoking, drug use and sexual relations compared to South Korean family adolescents. Moreover, North Korean family adolescents were more likely to experience those risk behaviors than other multicultural family adolescents. Concerning psychological problems, multicultural family youth displayed more depressed mood, and more suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts when compared with South Korean family youth. Among multicultural families, North Korean family adolescents were more depressed and showed higher suicidality. School-based education and preventive interventions are necessary to manage risk behaviors and psychological difficulties of adolescents in North Korean and other multicultural families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subin Park
- Department of Research Planning, Mental Health Research Institute, National Center for Mental Health, 127, Yongmasan-ro, Gwangin-gu, Seoul 04933, South Korea.
| | - Minji Lee
- Department of Research Planning, Mental Health Research Institute, National Center for Mental Health, 127, Yongmasan-ro, Gwangin-gu, Seoul 04933, South Korea
| | - Se Jin Park
- Department of Research Planning, Mental Health Research Institute, National Center for Mental Health, 127, Yongmasan-ro, Gwangin-gu, Seoul 04933, South Korea
| | - Min Geu Lee
- Department of Research Planning, Mental Health Research Institute, National Center for Mental Health, 127, Yongmasan-ro, Gwangin-gu, Seoul 04933, South Korea
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Kois LE, Blakey SM, Gardner BO, McNally MR, Johnson JL, Hamer RM, Elbogen EB. Neuropsychological correlates of self-reported impulsivity and informant-reported maladaptive behaviour among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury history. Brain Inj 2018; 32:1484-1491. [PMID: 30036112 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1497205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Frontal lobe deficits resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been linked to impulsive behaviour. We sought to examine whether neuropsychological performance predicted self-reported impulsivity and informant-reported maladaptive behaviour. METHOD We administered the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) to 116 Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans diagnosed with a history of TBI and PTSD. RESULTS Poorer performance on D-KEFS Stroop Task (both colour and word, separately) and Trail making (letter sequencing and motor speed) tasks and higher PTSD symptom severity were associated with higher self-reported impulsivity. Trail making letter sequencing performance was negatively associated with informant-reported maladaptive behaviour. Regression analyses revealed PTSD symptom severity and Trail making letter sequencing best predicted self-reported impulsivity, even when accounting for age, sex, and education. Only Trail making letter sequencing predicted informant-reported maladaptive behaviour when accounting for other variables in the model. CONCLUSIONS Attention and processing speed impairments and PTSD symptom severity appear to be important predictors of impulsivity and problematic behaviour among veterans. Findings have implications for theoretical models of aggression and violence and inform the assessment and treatment of individuals with TBI and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Kois
- a Department of Psychology, John Jay College , City University of New York , New York , NY , USA
| | - Shannon M Blakey
- b Department of Psychology and Neuroscience , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Brett O Gardner
- c Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | - Matthew R McNally
- d Department of Psychology , West Virginia University , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Jacqueline L Johnson
- e Department of Psychiatry , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Robert M Hamer
- e Department of Psychiatry , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Eric B Elbogen
- f Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , Duke University School of Medicine , Durham , NC , USA
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Augsburger M, Elbert T. When do traumatic experiences alter risk-taking behavior? A machine learning analysis of reports from refugees. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177617. [PMID: 28498865 PMCID: PMC5428957 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to traumatic stressors and subsequent trauma-related mental changes may alter a person's risk-taking behavior. It is unclear whether this relationship depends on the specific types of traumatic experiences. Moreover, the association has never been tested in displaced individuals with substantial levels of traumatic experiences. The present study assessed risk-taking behavior in 56 displaced individuals by means of the balloon analogue risk task (BART). Exposure to traumatic events, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression were assessed by means of semi-structured interviews. Using a novel statistical approach (stochastic gradient boosting machines), we analyzed predictors of risk-taking behavior. Exposure to organized violence was associated with less risk-taking, as indicated by fewer adjusted pumps in the BART, as was the reported experience of physical abuse and neglect, emotional abuse, and peer violence in childhood. However, civil traumatic stressors, as well as other events during childhood were associated with lower risk taking. This suggests that the association between global risk-taking behavior and exposure to traumatic stress depends on the particular type of the stressors that have been experienced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mareike Augsburger
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- NGO vivo international e.V., Allensbach, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Thomas Elbert
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- NGO vivo international e.V., Allensbach, Germany
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