Kornør et al. [1] reviewed the results of studies comparing early trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (TFCBT) with supportive counselling (SC) in people identified as being at risk of developing traumatic stress related symptoms. They suggest that their results provide some evidence for the relative benefit of TFCBT in preventing chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and related symptoms. We question the extent to which this conclusion applies to the subgroup of people who have experienced traumatic physical injuries. Our systematic review of the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for preventing the onset of disability in people who had experienced traumatic physical injuries emphasizes the equivocal nature of current research, notes some negative outcomes and cautions for very careful monitoring of such interventions should they be used. There is a need for further high quality research exploring the optimal timing and nature of such interventions, as well as who is most likely to benefit from them.

To examine the role of cognitive-affective appraisals and childhood abuse as predictors of crime-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, 157 victims of violent crime were interviewed within 1 month postcrime and 6 months later. Measures within 1 month postcrime included previous physical and sexual abuse in childhood and responses to the current crime, including shame and anger with self and others. When all variables were considered together, shame and anger with others were the only independent predictors of PTSD symptoms at 1 month, and shame was the only independent predictor of PTSD symptoms at 6 months when 1-month symptoms were controlled. The results suggest that both shame and anger play an important role in the phenomenology of crime-related PTSD and that shame makes a contribution TO the subsequent course of symptoms. The findings are also consistent with previous evidence for the role of shame as a mediator between childhood abuse and adult psychopathology.

Performance of the new measure was equivalent to agreement achieved between two full clinical interviews.

Gender differences in social support levels and benefits were investigated in 118 male and 39 female victims of violent crime assessed for PTSD symptomatology 1 and 6 months postcrime. Within 1 month postcrime both genders reported similar levels of positive support and support satisfaction, but women reported significantly more negative responses from family and friends. Women also reported an excess of PTSD symptoms that was similar at 1 and 6 months postcrime, and negative responses mediated the relationship between gender and later symptoms. Overall negative response and support satisfaction, but not positive support, were significantly associated with PTSD symptoms. However, the effects of support satisfaction and negative response on 6-month symptoms were significantly greater for women than men. The findings are consistent with previous studies of predominantly female assault victims concerning the stronger impact of negative over positive support, and might help explain women's higher PTSD risk in civilian samples.

BackgroundBrief screening instruments appear to be a viable way of detecting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but none has yet been adequately validated.AimsTo test and cross-validate a brief instrumentthat is simple to administer and score.MethodForty-one survivors of a rai l crash were administered a questionnaire, followed by a structured clinical interview 1 week later.ResultsExcellent prediction of a PTSD diagnosis was provided by respondents endorsing at least six re-experiencing or arousal symptoms, in any combination. The findings were replicated on data from a previous study of 157 crime victims.ConclusionsPerformance of the new measure was equivalent to agreement achieved between two full clinical interviews.