The Relationship Between PTSD Arousal Symptoms and Depression Among Mothers Exposed to the World Trade Center Attacks

Rubacka, Joseph; Schmeidler, James; Nomura, Yoko; Luthra, Rohini; Rajendran, Khushmand; Abramovitz, Robert; Chemtob, Claude M.

doi:10.1097/nmd.0b013e3181775f05

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In this study, PTS was not a main predictor, but used as a control variable to better distinguish the predictors that had a unique effect on the level of depressive symptoms. Further, the symptom overlap often found between PTSD and depression pertains mainly to the arousal symptom cluster (Rubacka et al ., 2008), and not the intrusion symptoms included in the present study. A further limitation is the few response alternatives, restricting the ability to control for intensity of the intrusive symptoms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of depressive symptoms among resettled unaccompanied refugee minors

Seglem

Oppedal

Raeder

2011

Scandinavian J Psychology

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This study investigated the level and predictors of depressive symptoms among unaccompanied refugee minors after resettlement in Norway. Participants (N = 414) were resettled in 26 municipalities from all regions of the country. The average length of resettlement time was 3.4 years. They originated from 33 different countries, mainly Afghanistan (n = 116), Somalia (n = 74), Sri Lanka (n = 41) and Iraq (n = 43). Participants completed a self-report questionnaire administered in groups. Findings show that unaccompanied minors are a high-risk group for mental health problems also after resettlement in a new country. A multilevel model predicting depressive symptoms from individual and contextual demographic factors indicated that, controlling for post-traumatic stress, females had more symptoms than males and Somalis had fewer symptoms than participants from other countries. Variation in symptom levels as a function of gender and ethnic background indicates that some groups may have inherent protective or vulnerability factors that need to be further studied to understand differences in psychosocial adaptation among unaccompanied minors. Further, findings imply that researchers, policy makers and mental health care workers need to expand their attention beyond the first phases of arrival of unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee minors to the continuing experience of mental health problems after resettlement.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of depressive symptoms among resettled unaccompanied refugee minors

Seglem

Oppedal

Raeder

2011

Scandinavian J Psychology

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“…Reviewed studies show that MDD is not always concurrent with PTSD and suggest that, consistent with previous studies carried out after other traumatic events [52,53], both disorders can be considered related but different posttraumatic reactions. In this regard, Rubacka et al [57], examining the specific association of PTSD cluster symptoms (re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal) and MDD in a sample of mothers directly exposed to the WTC attacks, showed that only higher arousal symptom scores were significantly correlated with persistent MDD. Furthermore, if we compare the rates of MDD and PTSD found in some reviewed reports, we can reach some interesting conclusions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Major depressive disorder following terrorist attacks: A systematic review of prevalence, course and correlates

et al. 2011

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BackgroundTerrorist attacks are traumatic events that may result in a wide range of psychological disorders for people exposed. This review aimed to systematically assess the current evidence on major depressive disorder (MDD) after terrorist attacks.MethodsA systematic review was performed. Studies included assessed the impact of human-made, intentional, terrorist attacks in direct victims and/or persons in general population and evaluated MDD based on diagnostic criteria.ResultsA total of 567 reports were identified, 11 of which were eligible for this review: 6 carried out with direct victims, 4 with persons in general population, and 1 with victims and general population. The reviewed literature suggests that the risk of MDD ranges between 20 and 30% in direct victims and between 4 and 10% in the general population in the first few months after terrorist attacks. Characteristics that tend to increase risk of MDD after a terrorist attack are female gender, having experienced more stressful situations before or after the attack, peritraumatic reactions during the attack, loss of psychosocial resources, and low social support. The course of MDD after terrorist attacks is less clear due to the scarcity of longitudinal studies.ConclusionsMethodological limitations in the literature of this field are considered and potentially important areas for future research such as the assessment of the course of MDD, the study of correlates of MDD or the comorbidity between MDD and other mental health problems are discussed.

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“…Sharp & Harvey propose in their model that depression is one of seven mechanisms that may exacerbate and maintain PTSD and chronic pain. There is also some evidence that arousal may play an important role in persistent depression (Rubacka et al 2008). Bair et al 2003 ;Beesdo et al 2009), depression and PTSD (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Roth et al 2008) is well substantiated. There is also some evidence that arousal may play an important role in persistent depression (Rubacka et al 2008). Future research on PTSD and pain should, therefore, include depression to investigate possible moderating or mediating relationships.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%