Patterns of acute stress disorder in a sample of blast-injured military service members: A latent profile analysis.

Abstract

Objective: The primary aims of this study were to identify latent profiles of acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms and to evaluate postconcussive symptom differences across the identified profiles as measured by the Acute Stress Disorder Scale and the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation, respectively. Method: Participants (N = 315) in the current study were predominantly active-duty (75.0%), enlisted (97.8%) males (97.4%) serving in the U.S. Army (87.8%). Approximately, half of the sample reported being married or engaged (51.1%) and was on average 25.94 (SD = 6.31) years old. Participants were referred to the Air Force Theater Hospital, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Joint Base Balad, Iraq, to be evaluated as part of routine clinical assessment for neurocognitive and psychological symptoms following exposure to a blast. Results: A 3-profile solution was identified as the most parsimonious and bestfitting model based on statistical model fit indices. Blast injured service members in Profile 3 had greater ASD total and subscale severity compared to the other 2 subgroups, with effect size estimates largely differing by hyperarousal and reexperiencing symptoms. Furthermore, Profiles 2 and 3 were more likely to demonstrate postconcussive symptoms compared to Profile 1. Conclusions: Findings provide novel information on heterogenous ASD symptom profiles during the acute phase following a blast injury and highlight the relationship between psychological and physical symptoms. Classification of blast-injured service members may help identify at-risk individuals who would benefit from further clinical care and mitigate long-term psychological and neurocognitive issues.

Acute Stress Disorders Among Jordanian Adolescents After Watching Gaza News Footage on Social Media

“…Similar results were reported by several researchers who investigated the effect of violent footage on social media. 3,5,11 The psychological impact of viewing violence on social media extends to sleep disturbances such as difficulties in falling asleep, nightmares, and insomnia. Sleep disturbance was reported frequently by several researchers as a common consequence of exposure to trauma.…”

“…[2][3][4] ASD is a psychological disorder that can arise within one month after a person experiences or observes a traumatic incident. 2,5 It may last from three days to four weeks. 5 ASD is characterized by the incapability to cope with a hurtful event.…”

“…Symptoms include severe anxiety, dissociation, disturbing thoughts, emotional dazing, and avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event. 5,6 Nowadays there is a war in the Gaza Strip. 7 This war has garnered extensive media attention and coverage, with ferocious, vicious, violent, and traumatic pictures and videos being available on numerous social media platforms.…”

“… 2 , 5 It may last from three days to four weeks. 5 ASD is characterized by the incapability to cope with a hurtful event. Symptoms include severe anxiety, dissociation, disturbing thoughts, emotional dazing, and avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event.…”

“…Symptoms include severe anxiety, dissociation, disturbing thoughts, emotional dazing, and avoidance of reminders of the traumatic event. 5 , 6 …”