PTSD

PTSD

Mental health disorder characterized by intrusive memories, flashbacks, heightened arousal, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, and negative changes in mood and cognition following exposure to a traumatic event, leading to significant distress and impairment in daily life.

Biological explanations for disorders

Biological explanations for mental health focus on how factors like genetics, brain structure, neurotransmitters, hormones and other physiological processes contribute to mental disorders.  Biological arguments emphasize that mental health conditions have a biological basis.  Genetics are one biological explanation as certain genes may predispose individuals to developing a mental health condition when paired with environmental stressors.

Cognitive explanations for disorders

Cognitive explanations for mental health focus on how thought patterns, beliefs, and perceptions influence emotions and behaviors. Mental health issues may arise from distorted thinking and maladaptive cognitive processes. 

Sociocultural explanations for disorders

Sociocultural explanations for mental health focus on how society and culture influence the development and experience of mental health disorders. Mental health disorders are not just biological or cognitive, but they are also shaped by factors such as social norms, economic conditions, cultural expectations, and relationships.

True et al - Biological approach

A) Investigate genetic and environmental contributions to the development of PTSD. Sought to determine heritability of PTSD.

M) Used data from vietnam era twin registry which had a large sample of monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (not identical) twin pairs. Researchers assessed PTSD symptoms using standardized diagnostic criteria and calculated cordionauce rates between different twins, allowing them to estimate heritability of PTSD.

R) ~30% of variance in PTSD symptoms attributed to genetic factors. Found that monozygotic twins had a significantly higher cordionace rate for PTSD, suggesting genetic vulnerability.

Yehuda et al (2001) - biological approach

A) Investigate how parental trauma exposure can influence the development of PTSD in offspring

M) interviewed 135 offspring of holocaust survivors , divided into 3 groups based on parental trauma xposure, one with one parent having PTSD, one without PTSD, and a control group where no parents had holocaust exposure. Interviews gathered data on lifetime psychiatric diagnoses and trauma experience.

R) Found significant association between parent PTSD and occurrence of PTSD in offspring, along with depressive disorders.

Cockram et al (2010) - cognitive

A) Investigate the role of early maladaptive schemas in development of PTSD

M) 220 Australian and New Zealand Vietnam war veterans, using young schema questionnaire to measure parental style, evaluating adverse parenting. Compared veterans diagnosed with PTSD to those without based on schema scores and childhood experiences.

R) Veterans with PTSD scored higher on the emotional inhibition, social isolation, and vulnerability to harm and reported more negative childhood experiences. Adverse parenting leads to higher risk of PTSD.

Zhang et al (2014) - cognititve

A) Investigate the changes in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and its relationship with coping skill and locus of control among adolescent earthquake survivors in China.

M) Used an observational longitudinal design. A total of 1420 adolescents were evaluated twice after the earthquake, 3 and 17 months, measuring PTSD symptoms for adult survivors through surveys. Measures included PTSD symptoms, locus of control (internal vs. external), and problem-solving coping skills.

R) The results indicated that the mean scores of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were decreased significantly and the positive rates of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms also declined remarkably at 17 months compared to the 3 months post-earthquake. Internal locus of control and problem solving coping skill were effective resilient factors for the development and maintenance of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, while external locus of control was a powerful risk factor of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

Solomon et al - sociocultural

A) Examine relationship between coping strategies, locus of control, social support, and development of combat-related PTSD

M) 282 Israeli soldiers who experienced combat stress reactions during Lebanon. Longitudinal study measuring coping strategies via self reports on locus of control, social support, and PTSD symptoms. Follow up assessments 2 or 3 years later.

R) Found soldiers with external locus of control (believing external forces dictate events) were more likely to develop PTSD. Also found effective coping strategies and strong social support were associated with lower PTSD symptom severity. Changes in PTSD overtime were linked to changes in coping strategies.

Garrison et al (2011) - sociocultural (prevalence)

A) Investigate cross-cultural differences in the US after Hurricane Andrew in Florida.

M) 350 black, Hispanic and white teenaged participants six months after the hurricane. Structured interviews were used to gather data, including symptoms of PTSD.

R) Young women were more than three times as likely to develop PTSD than men (9% and 3%, respectively). They also showed higher levels of PTSD for black (8.3%) and Hispanic (6.1%) than for white participants. The results also showed that the number of stressful events experienced after the hurricane had a stronger correlation with PTSD than those experienced during the Hurricane itself.

Race and socioeconomic status are linked in the USA. This could explain some racial groups increased rates of PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event, like a hurricane. If you have plenty of money, your appraisals of the trauma will probably be more positive (I can cope. We can replace our lost goods). If you have less money, you’re more at risk for negative appraisals (e.g. “I’ve lost my home and I had no insurance, now where am I going to live?”)