Henk M. Van Der Ploeg

Being held hostage in the Netherlands: A study of long-term aftereffects

In the 1970s, The Netherlands were confronted with eight large-scale hijackings, in which a total of nearly 500 persons were held hostage. In 1985, the long-term aftereffects (up to 9 years) of these hostage takings were studied. Approximately one-third of the ex-hostages studied were found to suffer from negative effects resulting from the hostage-taking and mentioned symptoms related to DSM-III categories “post-traumatic stress disorder” and “generalized anxiety disorder,” and a variety of medical symptoms. Twelve percent of the ex-hostages were found to be still in need of aftercare and help, even though nearly all of them had had several contacts with professional health care workers in the period following the hijacking. A number of variables are described which are related to lower degrees of well-being and more negative aftereffects in ex-hostages, thereby suggesting the predictability of greater vulnerability in some hostages.

Anxiety, anger and depression: Relationships at the trait level

Abstract The relationship between anxiety and depression has been extensively researched at the state and clinical syndrome levels. However, relatively few studies have directed their attention to the interrelations between the constructs at the trait level. The present two studies investigated the interrelationships between anxiety, anger and depression at the trait level in nonclinical, subclinical and clinical samples. The results showed anxiety and depression to be highly correlated in students, adults, medical and psychiatric in-patients. As to the relationship of anger with both anxiety and depression, results, especially between anxiety and anger, were likewise significant although much weaker than commonly reported at the affective state level. Moreover, partial correlations suggested the results on the anger-depression relationship to be mainly due to the mediating (causal) influence of anxiety. The results are discussed with reference to the discrepancy of distinctions commonly made between the ...

Emotional states and the premenstrual syndrome

Abstract The premenstrual syndrome includes a regularly occurring increase in psychological and/or somatic symptoms in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Changes in anxiety, anger and depression in a group of 844 women were studied during one menstrual cycle. The women answered a number of questionnaires on 4 days during the study cycle. Anxiety, anger and depression, as states, are on the average lower in women without symptoms of PMS. Scores for the emotional states show a dramatic increase in the second half of the menstrual cycle in the group of women with PMS-symptoms. Besides, some evidence is given that PMS and neuroticism may be correlated constructs.

Post-traumatic stress disorder in Dutch psychiatric in-patients

The present study addresses the use of standardized PTSD scales in determining traumatization in psychiatric inpatients. Twenty-eight (53%) out of 53 psychiatric inpatients reported an experience of a psychological trauma. Fifteen subjects did fulfill the stressor criterion of DSM-III-R, while the trauma of another 12 subjects appeared to be a major negative life event. On two PTSD scales, on average, the 15 traumatized subjects showed the highest scores. On these PTSD scales the 12 subjects with major life events appeared to resemble the nontraumatized subjects. In general psychiatric symptomatology, as measured by the SCL-90, the traumatized subjects showed a significant higher Phobic Anxiety score. It is concluded that specific PTSD scales can differentiate between ‘objectively’ traumatized patients and other patients, while a general psychiatric screening instrument (SCL-90) cannot.

BURNOUT AMONG DUTCH PSYCHOTHERAPISTS

The development of a Dutch adaptation of the Maslach Burnout Inventory is described. Preliminary results on burnout for 98 Dutch psychotherapists indicate that (on the average) young therapists and therapists who are employed in regional mental health services are more prone to burnout.

The Factor Structure of the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire—Dutch

The factor structure of the Dutch adaptation of the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) was studied in a group of 702 women with high probability of premenstrual symptoms. The original factor pattern could not be replicated. Essentially four factors were found: negative affect, concentration, pain, and water retention. This indicates the importance of psychological and somatic symptoms in the premenstrual syndrome.

Relationship of State-Trait Anxiety to Academic Performance in Dutch Medical Students

The administration of a Dutch version of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory to medical students has been described. In Study 1 a significant negative relationship was obtained between level of anxiety and level of academic success. In Study 2 these results were partly replicated. Besides data obtained with the Dutch version in an anxiety-provoking situation and test-retest reliabilities, support was given to the Spielberger theory of trait-state anxiety by demonstrating that the increase in A-State level is higher for the group of high A-Trait men than for the group of low A-Trait students.

Treatment of frequency of urination by stories competing with anxiety

Abstract This reports the treatment of a 14-yr-old boy with an excessive urge to urinate, which resulted in a school phobia, which further increased the urge. Treatment consisted of a desensitization-variant, in which stories were told to the boy to inhibit the anxiety and consequently the urge to urinate. Items from his pleasant sailing experiences were counterposed to school images. He practiced the counterconditioning exercises at home. The problem was overcome in 5 weeks, and an 18-month follow-up has shown no relapse.

Behavioral group treatment of test anxiety: An evaluation study

A report is given of a behavioral group training of test anxiety with secondary school students. The selection of the students, the methods of evaluation, and the treatment program are described. The training takes eight sessions plus homework assignments. The results were established by repeated administration of (test) anxiety inventories. After treatment, scores on test anxiety decreased significantly. Comparison of the test scores of the waiting-list control group with those of the trained group shows improvement at retesting. At follow-up after 12 weeks, decrease in anxiety in the trained group was even greater and performance improvement became evident.

AGREEMENT FOR SURGICAL PATIENTS ON TWO INSTRUCTIONAL SITUATIONS FOR THE STATE ANXIETY INVENTORY

To measure the agreement between two modes of the state anxiety (A-State) scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, 67 plastic or reconstructive surgery patients completed a Dutch version of the A-State scale (DY) twice, both pre- and postoperatively. The instructions were “How do you feel right now,” followed by “How do you feel today.” Inconsistencies were found between the “now” version and “today” version on both measuring occasions.