Background: During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the people in Europe are exposed to self-isolation, quarantine, job loss, risk of contracting COVID-19, or grief of loved ones. Such a complex array of stressors may lead to symptoms of adjustment disorder or posttraumatic stress disorder. This research protocol describes a study launched by the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on symptoms of adjustment disorder across European countries. Objective: The longitudinal online cohort study aims (1) to explore psychosocial reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic across ten European countries; (2) to examine the relationships between risk and resilience factors, stressors and symptoms of adjustment disorder during the pandemic; and (3) to investigate whether these relationships are moderated by coping behaviours. Method: In ten countries

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic exposes individuals to multiple stressors, such as quarantine, physical distancing, job loss, risk of infection, and loss of loved ones. Such a complex array of stressors potentially lead to symptoms of adjustment disorder. Objective: This cross-sectional exploratory study examined relationships between risk and protective factors, stressors, and symptoms of adjustment disorder during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data from the first wave of the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) longitudinal ADJUST Study were used. N = 15,563 participants aged 18 years and above were recruited in eleven countries (Austria,

No abstract

Multiple empirical studies have revealed significant pandemic effects of COVID-19 on mental health in various populations. This study aimed to analyze the incidences of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adjustment disorder (AjD) in national healthcare in 2018–2020 in one of the European countries—Lithuania—and estimate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on PTSD and AjD incidences in 2020. The national healthcare registry was used for estimations of diagnosis of PTSD, AjD, and major depressive disorder (MD). The study revealed that stress-related disorders PTSD and AjD are diagnosed rarely, resulting in a considerable gap between the expected prevalence and incidences of these diagnoses in healthcare in Lithuania. Moreover, a significant decline in mental disorders incidence in healthcare in 2020, in comparison to 2018 and 2019, was found, revealing that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on access to healthcare services and increased barriers for mental disorders treatment. The study indicates that major developments in building up knowledge about the effects of trauma and life stressors on mental health are needed in Lithuania and other countries to increase awareness about stress-related disorders and improve care for trauma survivors, in particular in the context of the pandemics or other large-scale disasters.

Background: After the inclusion of a novel diagnosis of Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), there is a growing need for research focused on not only studying the underlying risk factors of this disorder but also differentiating the risk factors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and CPTSD to understand better the factors leading to CPTSD onset and symptom maintenance. Aims: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of traumatic experiences, trauma-related disorders and risk factors associated with ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD in a population-based Lithuanian sample using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). Methods: The study sample included 885 participants (age M[ SD] = 37.96 [14.67], 63.4% female). The Life Events Checklist was used to measure trauma exposure, PTSD and CPTSD symptoms were measured by the Lithuanian ITQ version. The Disclosure of Trauma Questionnaire (DTQ) was used to measure the urge or reluctance to talk about trauma. Results: The prevalence of at least one traumatic experience in the study sample was 81.4%. The prevalence of PTSD and CPTSD among the general population in Lithuania was 5.8% and 1.8%, respectively. Accumulative lifetime trauma exposure, sexual assault and assault with a weapon were significant predictors for both PTSD and CPTSD. Participants from the CPTSD group reported greater reluctance to disclose trauma and stronger emotional reactions than no diagnosis and PTSD groups. Results also indicate that the Lithuanian ITQ version is a valid measure for screening PTSD and CPTSD in the general population. Conclusion: Previous history of trauma and interpersonal trauma were associated with posttraumatic stress disorders but did not differentiate between PTSD and CPTSD in our study. However, social trauma-related factors, such as trauma disclosure, were associated with stronger CPTSD symptoms.