Ephraim S. Grossman

Psychological effects following the Iran nuclear deal: Iranian nuclear threat salience moderates the relationship between PTSD symptoms and sleep problems.

Following the July-14th, 2015 Iranian agreement, we examined if preoccupation with the threat of a nuclear Iran moderates the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and reported sleep problems in individuals exposed to the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict. While sleep problems were evident in individuals suffering from PTSD symptoms, they were especially pronounced when PTSD symptoms were coupled with increased Iranian nuclear threat salience. Preoccupation with future national threats may increase PTSD-related sleep problems. Therefore, it may be useful if such threats are accounted for in interventions aiming to ameliorate trauma-related sleep problems arising in the context of security situation.

Complex PTSD and its correlates amongst female Yazidi victims of sexual slavery living in post-ISIS camps

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The effect of exposure to missile attacks on posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms as a function of perceived media control and locus of control.

Exposure is one of the most robust predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in warfare situations. Yet, while many are sensitive to exposure, others do not develop PTSD. In the current study, we address how perceived media control along with external locus of control moderate effects of exposure on PTSD symptoms among 1268 individuals exposed to missile attacks (mean age=36.97). We expected that the coupling of low perceived media control, whereby one feels poor control over media consumption (an inability to stop), especially when irrelevant and non-informative (e.g., involuntarily viewing the same terror incident shown repeatedly in a looped fashion) along with a self-perception of external locus of control, will render participants highly vulnerable to exposure. As expected, results suggest that effects of exposure on PTSD are not automatic, rather, the coupling of both low media control along with believing that life event are controlled by external factors exacerbates effects of exposure. These findings bear practical implications, as both media control and locus of control can be modified by therapeutic interventions, rendering one less vulnerable to the detrimental effects of traumatic exposure.

Trauma-Related Context Increases Sleep Disturbances in People with Acute Stress Disorder Symptoms.

In this study, we addressed how sleep is related to acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms, and how the presence of a trauma related-context moderates this relationship. This study (N = 140) was carried out during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, during which 70% of Israelis were exposed to missile attacks. Findings show that participants with clinical ASD symptom levels reported more sleep disturbances than participants without clinical ASD symptom levels. More critically, this effect was only evident among respondents who had a reinforced security room in their houses. While reinforced security rooms offer protection against indirect missile damage, their relevance is salient in negative traumatic situations, which individuals with a clinical level of ASD are more sensitive to. Conversely, in houses without a reinforced security room, there was no difference in subjective sleep reports between individuals with or without clinical levels of ASD symptoms. Results are discussed in reference to trauma being activated by context and the ensuing effects on sleep. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed. Copyright

“A man's home is his castle and fortress”: Effect of age on the psychological distress associated with house damage following super typhoon Haiyan

The devastating impact of losing ones home as a consequence of a disaster is a well-known fact. Nevertheless this impact have not been examined in different age groups. The present study aimed at examining the psychological distress following the aftermath of super Typhoon Haiyan among 1001 adults in their 20s and 40s. Psychological distress was affected by house-damage among adults in their 40s only, namely, ones house remaining intact provided a buffer against experiencing high levels of psychological distress. Adults in their 20s reported the same high level of distress regardless of house-damage. Results are interpreted in light of developmental models focusing on Burden and Resources perspectives.

Enduring sleep complaints predict health problems: a six-year follow-up of the survey of health and retirement in Europe*

ABSTRACT Objectives: Sleep complaints are common and enduring among old people. The study aimed to extend current knowledge by exploring the effects of episodic versus chronic sleep complaints on a range of physical and mental health outcomes. Methods: Older adults (N = 8934, mean age = 64) who participated in Waves 1, 2 and 4 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) reported sleep and health outcome measures. Episodic sleep complaints, in the first or in the second wave and chronic sleep complaints, in both waves were recorded. Outcomes in Wave 4 included physical symptoms, difficulties in activities of daily living and low quality of life. Results: Logistic regressions examined whether episodic and chronic sleep complaints at W1 and W2 predict W4 health outcomes. Chronic sleep complaints predicted worse outcomes, compared to no sleep difficulties and to episodic sleep complaints, even after adjusting for demographic characteristics and previous levels of health. Conclusion: Sleep complaints and mainly chronic sleep complaints are related to elevated risk of future health and functional problems. Caregivers are encouraged to address sleep complaints and provide their older patients with help before sleep complaints become persistent.

When the human spirit helps? The moderating role of somatization on the association between Olympic game viewing and the will-to-live

This study examined whether participants with low somatization (no bodily manifestations of anxiety) who are assumed to identify with- and be inspired- by the Olympic-Games-spirit will present a stronger association between their Olympic-game viewing hours and their will-to-live, than persons with high somatization. One hundred and thirty seven participants reported their daily Olympic-game viewing hours, somatization and will-to-live levels. Results show that while among those with low somatization symptoms level, the relationships between Olympic game viewing hours and will-to-live was positive, the opposite was found among those with high somatization symptoms level. Viewing the Olympic Games may be beneficial for individuals with low somatization level but less so to individuals with higher somatization.

Exploring DSM-5 criterion A in Acute Stress Disorder symptoms following natural disaster

The present study examines the DSM-5 Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) diagnostic criteria of exposure, in the context of a natural disaster. The study is based on the reports of 1001 Filipinos following the aftermath of super typhoon Haiyan in 2013. Participants reported exposure to injury, psychological distress and ASD symptoms. Findings indicated the association of criterion A with the prevalence of meeting all other ASD diagnostic criteria and high psychological distress. The diagnostic properties of Criterion A are discussed.