2 results
Associations of alcohol and cannabis use with change in posttraumatic stress disorder and depression symptoms over time in recently trauma-exposed individuals
- Cecilia A. Hinojosa, Amanda Liew, Xinming An, Jennifer S. Stevens, Archana Basu, Sanne J. H. van Rooij, Stacey L. House, Francesca L. Beaudoin, Donglin Zeng, Thomas C. Neylan, Gari D. Clifford, Tanja Jovanovic, Sarah D. Linnstaedt, Laura T. Germine, Scott L. Rauch, John P. Haran, Alan B. Storrow, Christopher Lewandowski, Paul I. Musey, Phyllis L. Hendry, Sophia Sheikh, Christopher W. Jones, Brittany E. Punches, Michael C. Kurz, Robert A. Swor, Lauren A. Hudak, Jose L. Pascual, Mark J. Seamon, Elizabeth M. Datner, Anna M. Chang, Claire Pearson, David A. Peak, Roland C. Merchant, Robert M. Domeier, Niels K. Rathlev, Paulina Sergot, Leon D. Sanchez, Steven E. Bruce, Mark W. Miller, Robert H. Pietrzak, Jutta Joormann, Diego A. Pizzagalli, John F. Sheridan, Steven E. Harte, James M. Elliott, Ronald C. Kessler, Karestan C. Koenen, Samuel A. McLean, Kerry J. Ressler, Negar Fani
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- Journal:
- Psychological Medicine / Volume 54 / Issue 2 / January 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 13 June 2023, pp. 338-349
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- Article
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Background
Several hypotheses may explain the association between substance use, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. However, few studies have utilized a large multisite dataset to understand this complex relationship. Our study assessed the relationship between alcohol and cannabis use trajectories and PTSD and depression symptoms across 3 months in recently trauma-exposed civilians.
MethodsIn total, 1618 (1037 female) participants provided self-report data on past 30-day alcohol and cannabis use and PTSD and depression symptoms during their emergency department (baseline) visit. We reassessed participant's substance use and clinical symptoms 2, 8, and 12 weeks posttrauma. Latent class mixture modeling determined alcohol and cannabis use trajectories in the sample. Changes in PTSD and depression symptoms were assessed across alcohol and cannabis use trajectories via a mixed-model repeated-measures analysis of variance.
ResultsThree trajectory classes (low, high, increasing use) provided the best model fit for alcohol and cannabis use. The low alcohol use class exhibited lower PTSD symptoms at baseline than the high use class; the low cannabis use class exhibited lower PTSD and depression symptoms at baseline than the high and increasing use classes; these symptoms greatly increased at week 8 and declined at week 12. Participants who already use alcohol and cannabis exhibited greater PTSD and depression symptoms at baseline that increased at week 8 with a decrease in symptoms at week 12.
ConclusionsOur findings suggest that alcohol and cannabis use trajectories are associated with the intensity of posttrauma psychopathology. These findings could potentially inform the timing of therapeutic strategies.
Increasing staff confidence about domestic abuse identification, disclosure and safeguarding in a community mental health team
- Beth McCausland, Nicola Minicozzi, Siobhan O'Halloran, Avril Ward, Kerry Elliott
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 7 / Issue S1 / June 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 18 June 2021, pp. S146-S147
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Aims
To increase staff confidence about identifying Domestic Abuse (DA), particularly regarding ‘how to ask’ to encourage disclosure and the pathways available for appropriately safeguarding survivors; in a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) setting.
BackgroundDA is bi-directionally associated with mental health (MH) disorders; 1:4 women in contact with MH services are currently experiencing DA. MH professionals (MHPs) are in a privileged position to identify DA and support survivors. However, this is dependent on MHPs receiving adequate training about DA. For this, we collaborated with Pathfinder, a national pilot project run by a consortium of five expert partners that aims to establish comprehensive health practice in relation to DA and Violence Against Women & Girls in Acute Hospital Trusts, MH Trusts and Primary Care. In Southampton, Pathfinder has funded two domestic and sexual abuse (DSA) advocates to both train MH staff and take a small caseload of MH service users who are experiencing abuse.
MethodWe conducted a baseline survey of staff confidence across the following domains:
Knowing the legal definition of DA,
The process used to escalate a DA concern,
How to make a referral,
How to complete DASH forms,
How and when to refer to Pathfinder,
What the following acronyms mean: PIPPA, MAPPA, MARAC, IDVA, DASH,
What HRDA and MASH mean,
How to ask about DA,
Who to signpost service users to if they make a disclosure, and when to involve the police.
We presented the survey results at the regional Pathfinder strategic group, with Trust management representatives present. This project fits within the strategic group's sustainability aims to increase DA awareness and safeguarding processes across the Trust.
The Pathfinder funded DSA Advisors delivered a four-hour training package targeting the surveyed questions and wider information on DA. We then re-surveyed to see if staff confidence had increased. We are currently analyzing the number of referrals to the Pathfinder service pre- and post-training.
ResultStaff confidence increased across all domains following the training (% mean increase): Qs1 (35%), Qs2 (9%), Qs3 (45%), Qs4 (81%), Qs5 (25%), Qs6 (49%), Qs7 (89%), Qs8 (62%) and Qs9 (48%).
We have now arranged a bi-monthly drop-in at the CMHT by the DSA advisor who provided the training, to embed the link between the services and maintain staff confidence. We will circulate these results to advocate that this training is provided across the Trust.