bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amitriptyline for PTSD in a torture survivor: A case study
Authors: Başoǧlu Metin , Marks Isaac M. , Sengün Seda
Published: June 2007

The present study investigated the effect of amitriptyline on PTSD symptoms in a torture survivor 7 years after the trauma. After a pretreatment assessment period of 1 month, amitriptyline 150 mg nocte was started and assessments were carried out up to 8 months. An overall improvement of 70% was noted 6 weeks after the start of treatment. Improvement was most marked in depression, anxiety, and in social and work adjustment but less so in PTSD symptoms. Residual symptoms included nightmares, constricted affect, aggressive urges, startle response, and phobic avoidance. The drug effect was partial and likely to disappear on discontinuation. The limitations of drug treatment indicate the need for combined psychotherapy for lasting improvement. Evidence so far suggests that behavioral approach in the treatment of traumatic stress symptoms achieves more stable improvement.
Strategic psychotherapy for trauma: Hypnosis and trauma in context
Authors: Kingsbury Steven J.
Published: June 2007

Integration of attempts to explain trauma with therapies focused on the change process is important for effective therapy. An attempt is made to use hypnotic and strategic therapy principles within a dissociative conceptualization of the trauma response. Case examples of strategic therapy principles and of a trauma case are presented to aid in clarification of concepts.
Ethical Challenges in the Treatment of Traumatized Refugees
Authors: Eth Spencer
Published: June 2007

The psychological plight of the large numbers of children and families who have immigrated to new lands has received increased professional attention. Among the multiple challenges confronting therapists who work with refugees, there is a growing need to be sensitive to ethical concerns unique to this population. This article addresses three representative ethical issues encountered in clinical work with traumatized refugees: the problem of informed consent, the resolution of conflicting cultural values, and the survivor's search for the meaning of inhumanity.
Mental health consequences of the Lockerbie Disaster
Authors: Brooks Neil , McKinlay William
Published: June 2007

This paper examines mental health consequences of the Lockerbie Disaster in 66 adults claiming compensation from the insurers of the airline. Claimants were examined 10 to 14 months after the disaster by clinical interview and questionnaires. The most frequent diagnoses were post‐traumatic stress disorder and depression, followed by other anxiety disorders. Many were above „caseness”︁ levels on questionnaires, and had very high scores on intrusion and avoidance. There were no significant predictors of the presence or severity of diagnosis, but a number of predictors (age, death of friends, exposure to unpleasant sights) of questionnaire scores.
Comparison of stress indices in gauging clinical activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Duffy Linda C. , Zielezny Maria A. , Marshall James R. , Weiser Milton M. , Phillips James F. , Byers Tim E. , Ogra Pearay L. , Graham Saxon
Published: June 2007

Stress indices are widely available but few have been validated or used for monitoring clinical disease activity in chronic inflammatory disorders. One hundred twenty‐three outpatients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) participated in this prospective investigation. Stress events (major events, daily strains, perceived stress) and disease activity were monitored for six consecutive follow‐ups using standardized instruments. We present effect estimates of daily strains on clinical disease activity separately from the effect of major stress events. Our results indicate that the stress measures were moderately correlated, correlation coefficients ranged from .64 to .66. In relation to disease, self‐perceived stress using a stress ladder (r = .31, p < .001) was comparable to probing stress event checklists (major events: r = .34, p < .001; daily strains: r = .20, p = NS). A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that each of the three methods of evaluating stress makes a significant contribution, even after adjustment for potential confounders. No substantial increase in the proportion of explained variance was evident in an analysis based on a composite index of events and daily strains. A clinical implications of these results is that while self‐perceptions of emotional stress may be less objective measures, influencing changes in stress perceptions may be useful in the treatment and prevention of IBD.
Symptom exaggeration in a PTSD inpatient population: Response set or claim for compensation
Authors: Jordan Randall G. , Nunley Thomas V. , Cook Roy R.
Published: June 2007

This study examines the relationship between service‐connection (financial compensation) and exaggeration of PTSD symptoms. Sixty inpatient Vietnam combat veterans in PTSD treatment comprised three groups: those financially compensated for PTSD, those financially compensated for physical or other mental problems, and those not financially compensated. Results indicate that those veterans who are not service‐connected do not exaggerate symptoms on the MMPI F‐scale more than those who are service‐connected. Also, F scores reported for inpatient PTSD were higher than previously established cut‐off criteria found chiefly in outpatient populations. Implications for therapists' biases concerning financial compensation and symptom claims are discussed in terms of their clinical relevance.
Post‐traumatic stress disorder in child sexual abuse survivors: A literature review
Authors: Rowan Anderson B. , Foy David W.
Published: June 2007

Research to date has failed to identify a unique syndrome describing the sequelae of child sexual abuse (CSA). Recently, however, some researchers have suggested Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder as the diagnosis which best fits the syndrome commonly seen in CSA survivors. Research examining the consequences of CSA in terms of the applicability of a PTSD diagnosis is reviewed. Additionally, based on findings of significant relationships between PTSD and traumatic exposure in other trauma groups, this review also examines studies which have investigated relationships between exposure and symptom development among CSA survivors. Finally, conclusions regarding the applicability of PTSD to CSA survivors and suggestions for future research are offered.
Self‐reported amnesia for abuse in adults molested as children
Authors: Briere John , Conte Jon
Published: June 2007

A sample of 450 adult clinical subjects reporting sexual abuse histories were studied regarding their repression of sexual abuse incidents. A total of 267 subjects (59.3%) identified some period in their lives, before age 18, when they had no memory of their abuse. Variables most predictive of abuse‐related amnesia were greater current psychological symptoms, molestation at an early age, extended abuse, and variables reflecting especially violent abuse (e.g., victimization by multiple perpetrators, having been physically injured as a result of the abuse, victim fears of death if she or he disclosed the abuse to others). In contrast, abuse characteristics more likely to produce psychological conflict (e.g., enjoyment of the abuse, acceptance of bribes, feelings of guilt or shame) were not associated with abuse‐related amnesia. The results of this study are interpreted as supporting Freud's initial “seduction hypothesis,” as well as more recent theories of post‐traumatic dissociation.
From hysterical psychosis to reactive dissociative psychosis
Authors: van der Hart Onno , Witztum Eliezer , Friedman Barbara
Published: June 2007

In this paper Reactive Dissociative Psychosis (RDP) is seen as a post‐traumatic stress response and as a subcategory of Brief Reactive Psychosis (BRP). A review of the literature and the evolution of RDP from Hysteria and Hysterical Psychosis are given. Issue is taken with defining the duration of BRP as “Brief.” The authors argue that long‐standing psychotic symptoms may be traumatically induced. The dissociative aspects of RDP as its key feature and the concomitant implications for accurate diagnosis are proposed. The usefulness of applying hypnosis in RDP treatment is summarized in a case study from Janet and detailed in a case from the authors' practice.
Post‐traumatic stress disorder in Dutch psychiatric in‐patients
Authors: Hovens Johan E. , van der Ploeg Henk M.
Published: June 2007

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.
Depersonalization as a defense mechanism in survivors of trauma
Authors: Shilony Etay , Grossman Frances K.
Published: June 2007

The study examines the relationship between experiencing depersonalization during traumatic events and subsequent psychiatric symptomatology. Participants were 75 Boston University undergraduate students who reported 186 traumatic events. Information about their experiences of depersonalization during these events was obtained by the Depersonalization Questionnaire (DQ) a scale based primarily on the Dissociation Experience Scale (Bernstein and Putnam, 1986). Symptomatology was measured by the Symptom Checklist‐90‐Revised (Derogatis, 1977). As predicted the participants who experienced depersonalization during traumatic events were found to be significantly lower than those who did not on 7 out of the 9 SCL‐90‐R subscales and the General Severity Index (GSI) scale. When the severity of trauma was statistically controlled for, the significant differences between the two groups held up on five of the nine subscales and the GSI scale. These differences remained as significant when statistically controlling for the time that passed since the traumatic events. These findings suggest that, for this sample, depersonalization during traumatic events played a significant role in defending them from the full impact of these events.
Families under war: Stresses and strains of Israeli families during the Gulf war
Authors: Lavee Yoav , Ben‐David Amith
Published: June 2007

This study assessed sources of stress, perception of the situation, and effect of the war upon Israeli families during the first week of the Gulf war. Sixty six families were randomly selected and were telephone interviewed using a semi‐structured questionnaire. Responses to questions regarding the stresses and strains of war and their effect on the family are described. Four sources of stress seemed to affect families: Existential fear, ambiguity, war‐related hardships, and intrafamily strain. Families perceived the situation along a continuum ranging from catastrophic, through difficult but optimistic, to bearable. The effect of the war situation on families was assessed by respondents as positive, neutral or negative. The findings are discussed in terms of their relation to four types of family response in a shared stressful situation.
Changes in outlook following disaster: The preliminary development of a measure to assess positive and negative responses
Authors: Joseph Stephen , Williams Ruth , Yule William
Published: June 2007

Although the introduction of PTSD (APA, 1980, 1987) has fueled much interest into the psychological sequelae of disaster, little attention has been paid to the more existential changes in outlook many survivors report. Preliminary work on the development of a measure to assess both positive and negative responses to disaster is presented.
Post‐traumatic stress disorder in Vietnam veterans: An experimental validation of the DSM‐III diagnostic criteria
Authors: Zimering Rose , Caddell Juesta M. , Fairbank John A. , Keane Terence M.
Published: June 2007

The DSM‐III criteria for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were derived clinically and have been substantiated in the literature only by self‐report data while evaluation of these same criteria with more objective measures has been overlooked. This study provided a laboratory‐based evaluation of the DSM‐III criterion symptoms of PTSD with six symptoms of the disorder which were operationalized as cognitive, behavioral and psychophysiological measures. The responses of 16 Vietnam combat veterans who met the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis were compared to those of 16 well‐adjusted combat veterans without PTSD. Dependent measures were obtained twice, following exposure to first control and then combat auditory stimuli. Results showed that five of the six measures were effective in differentiating the two combat veteran groups. These findings provided experimental support and construct validity for five DSM‐III criteria of PTSD. The implications of these findings for the DSM‐III‐R PTSD diagnostic criteria are discussed.
Reliability and validity of a brief instrument for assessing post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Foa Edna B. , Riggs David S. , Dancu Constance V. , Rothbaum Barbara O.
Published: June 2007

This study examines the psychometric properties of two versions of the PTSD Sympton Scale (PSS). The scale contains 17 items that diagnose PTSD according to DSM‐III‐R criteria and assess the severity of PTSD symptoms. An interview and self‐report version of the PSS were administered to a sample of 118 recent rape and non‐sexual assault victims. The results indicate that both versions of the PSS have satisfactory internal consistency, high test‐retest reliability, and good concurrent validity. The interview version yielded high interrater agreement when administred separately by two interviewers and excellent convergent validity with the SCID. When used to diagnose PTSD, the self‐report version of the PSS was somewhat more conservative than the interview version.
The victim in the system: The influence of police responsiveness on victim alienation
Authors: Norris Fran H. , Thompson Martie P.
Published: June 2007

Causal modeling procedures were used to examine the interrelations of crime characteristics (severity, acquaintance), criminal justice system experiences (police concern, arrest, satisfaction), and alienation (cynicism, pessimism, hopelessness) in a sample of 220 crime victims. More severe crimes and acquaintance crimes led to greater alienation, but satisfaction led to lower alienation. Police concern had indirect effects on alienation by making victim satisfaction more likely. Tests of these indirect effects indicated that actual arrests were less important in reducing alienation than was the simple assurance from police that they would investigate the crime. Additional analyses showed that these relations did not vary substantially across subgroups in the sample defined by residence, sex, age, and other status factors. Overall, the findings show that the behavior of criminal justice officials can intensify or allay the victim's alienated state.
Psychological status of chernobyl nuclear power plant operators after the nuclear disaster
Authors: Koscheyev Victor S. , Martens Vladimir K. , Kosenkov Alexander A. , Lartzev Michael A. , Leon Gloria R.
Published: June 2007

Chief operators at the Chernobyl power plant were assessed at four time points after the nuclear disaster and compared to a comparable group of chief operators at another nuclear power station. MMPI findings demonstrated a significant increase over time in health concerns, depression, and other indicators of stress in those operators working at the station at the time of the assessment. There was also an increase in the proportion with at least one MMPI clinical scale in the abnormal range. The authors hypothesize that the continuing uncertainty of the safety of working at Chernobyl may have contributed to these findings by either increasing the stress levels of those who remained at this power station, or through attracting workers who were less well adjusted before volunteering to work there.
Vietnamese refugees with PTSD symptomatology: Intervention via a coping skills model
Authors: Snodgrass Lanny L. , Yamamoto Joe , Frederic Calvin , Ton‐That Niem , Foy David W. , Chan Louisa , Wu Joseph , Hahn Pock Hee , Shinh Donna Y. , Nguyen Loc Huu , de Jonge Julie , Fairbanks Lynn
Published: June 2007

The current study of Vietnamese refugee students revealed that the majority had experienced multiple traumatic events and reported moderate to severe PTSD symptomatology. A stress intervention module (SIT), designed to treat rape victims, was introduced to determine its efficacy for the treatment of Vietnamese refugees with PTSD symptoms. Postintervention PTSD symptomatology was significantly reduced contrasted to virtually no change in symptomatology for the control subjects. Serious methodological concerns, e.g., selection bias, sample size, are highlighted in the paper. The current inquiry is essentially a pilot study. The paper is intended for heuristic value. Clinical literature is extant for culturally sensitive intervention approaches for this vulnerable population.
Cross‐cultural response to trauma: A study of traumatic experiences and posttraumatic symptoms in cambodian refugees
Authors: Carlson Eve Bernstein , Rosser‐Hogan Rhonda
Published: June 2007

Despite a growing literature of cross‐cultural research on mental illness, little is known about the universality of most psychiatric disorders. This study was designed to determine whether people from a very different culture have the same symptoms in response to traumatic experiences as do trauma survivors in the United States. We were also interested to find out if the severity of the current symptoms is related to the amount of trauma experienced. Furthermore, we gathered information about the perceived severity of traumatic experiences among refugees. Fifty Cambodian refugees living in the U.S. were asked about their traumatic experiences and their current symptoms of posttraumatic stress, dissociation, depression, and anxiety. High levels of all symptoms were found along with statistically significant relationships between each symptom measure and the amount of trauma experienced. We conclude that the basic symptom picture in this group was similar to that observed in U.S. trauma survivors.
Educational, occupational, and relationship histories of men who were sexually and/or physically abused as children
Authors: Lisak David , Luster Laura
Published: June 2007

Ninety men (mean age 26) at an urban Northeastern university were administered a self‐report assessment of their early sexual and physical abuse experiences, and their educational, occupational, relationship, and substance abuse histories. Subjects were classified as sexually abused according to criteria used by Wyatt (1985) and Finkelhor (1979). Sixteen men (17.8%) experienced sexual abuse alone, 22 men (24.4%) physical abuse alone, 15 men (16.7%) both sexual and physical abuse, and 37 men (41.1%) were classified as nonabused. Of the 31 men who reported sexual abuse, 24 (77.4%) were contact, the rest noncontact. Sexually abused men reported significantly greater difficulties than nonabused men at all levels of education: grade school, high school and college. They also reported more negative job experiences and more negative experiences in relationships. Physically abused men showed a similar but less pervasive pattern of difficulties. Substance abuse was significantly more prevalent among both sexually and physically abused men than among nonabused subjects.
A shooting incident in an elementary school: Effects of worker stress on public safety, mental health, and medical personnel
Authors: Sloan Ira H. , Rozensky Ronald H. , Kaplan Leslie , Saunders Stephen M.
Published: June 2007

The effects of impact of event and five categories of worker stress were studied with 140 police, fire, medical, and mental health personnel who were involved in emergency service work following a shooting in an elementary school. A questionnaire distributed 6 months after the incident was utilized. Public safety personnel reported a recollection of significantly fewer intrusive thoughts than medical and mental health professionals immediately following the incident. Groups did not differ in intrusive or avoidance scores on the Impact of Event Scale 6 months after the event and all groups showed a significant decrease in both scores over time. Stepwise linear regression showed that a self‐reported qualitatively heavy work load predicted intrusiveness and avoidance of thoughts both immediately after and at the 6‐month anniversary of the incident. Additionally, time pressure and quantitatively heavy work load also predicted avoidance score at the time of the incident. Results are discussed in terms of control models of anxiety and as foci for debriefing with affected personnel.
Group treatment of adult male inpatients abused as children
Authors: Zaidi Lisa Y.
Published: June 2007

Recent research indicates that childhood abuse experiences characterize a large subset of psychiatric inpatients. This paper presents a time‐limited pilot group developed for adult male abuse survivors in an inpatient setting using: (1) techniques adapted from the existing literature on treatment of abuse survivors; and (2) approaches deriving from the interface of theory and current manifestations of distress. The eclectic therapeutic approach incorporated psychoeducational, cognitive, behavioral, and art therapy techniques presented below in a session‐by‐session format.
Visual imagery in posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Bryant Richard A. , Harvey Allison G.
Published: June 2007

Visual imagery is reported to play a central role m posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This pilot investigation examined visual imagery ability in patients with varying degrees of posttraumatic stress. Eighty one survivors of motor vehicle accidents with either (a) diagnosed PTSD, (b) diagnosed Specific Phobia, or (c) no psychiatric diagnosis and low anxiety were assessed on a measure of vividness of visual imagery. Low Anxiety subjects displayed superior visual imagery compared to PTSD and Specific Phobic subjects. Incidence of flashbacks and nightmares, however, was associated with visual imagery ability in PTSD subjects. Findings suggest that visual imagery ability may be associated with PTSD flashbacks. These results are discussed in terms of use of imagery‐based treatments with traumatized patients, and of the need for further investigation of the role that imagery plays in posttraumatic adjustment.
The Keane PTSD scale extracted from the MMPI: Sensitivity and specificity with Vietnam veterans
Authors: Scotti Joseph R. , Sturges Lois Veltum , Lyons Judith A.
Published: June 2007

A study was conducted to further investigate whether the Keane Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) can be employed as a separate instrument administered outside the context of the full MMPI. A group of Vietnam combat veterans with diagnosed PTSD and two comparison groups of veterans without PTSD (Vietnam combat and era veterans) were diagnosed by clinical interviews. Over 84% of the 64 veterans in the study were accurately classified by the Keane PTSD Scale into their original diagnostic groups. Excellent test sensitivity was demonstrated, with 90% of combat veterans with PTSD being properly classified by the Keane PTSD Scale when the recommended cutoff score of 30 was utilized. The clinical and research implications are discussed.
Appraisal of life threat and acute trauma responses in pediatric bone marrow transplant patients
Authors: Stuber Margaret L. , Nader Kathleen O. , Houskamp Beth M. , Pynoos Robert S.
Published: June 2007

Although traumatic responses in children are well‐documented following exposure to a variety of life‐threatening circumstances, little is known about the subjective appraisal of children during the acute exposure. This paper presents both descriptive and quantifiable data regarding the responses of children during the acute phase of hospitalization for bone marrow transplantation, an extremely aggressive treatment for otherwise fatal illnesses. Children were able to appreciate the life‐threatening nature of their illness and its treatment. They reported few symptoms consistent with a traumatic stress response. These findings are in contrast to recent data on survivors of childhood cancer, who generally report that they did not understand that their illness posed a threat to their lives, while reporting moderate levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms up to 10 years after completion of successful treatment. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Children's selective coping after a bus disaster: Confronting behavior and perceived support
Authors: Milgram Norman (Noach) , Toubiana Yosef H.
Published: June 2007

Data were obtained from 675 seventh graders grieving the death of 19 and injury of 14 fellow students in a traffic accident. Frequency of confronting behaviors was inversely related to their intensity. Perceived helpfulness of the various support person categories (oneself, parents, siblings, relatives, friends, classmates, classroom teachers, guidance counselors, psychologists) was related to current stress levels, context of the disaster, and prior helping relationships. Personal loss and situational variables affected confronting behavior and stress reaction levels. Specific helpful support persons affected interest in individual and/or group treatment. Findings were consistent with a model of search and selection of helpful support persons in community‐wide stressful situations.
Themes of power and betrayal in sexual abuse survivors' characterizations of interpersonal relationships
Authors: Liem Joan Huser , O'Toole Joan Gately , James Jacquelyn Boone
Published: June 2007

Consistent with the notion that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) shapes motivational dispositions and internalized schemata that are reflected in adult characterizations of self and others, we hypothesized that adult CSA survivors' characterizations of interpersonal relationships would reflect greater power motivation as defined by McClelland and Winter, and more preoccupation with themes of powerlessness and betrayal than nonabused adult's — a pattern associated with poor psychological functioning. Stories written by women with CSA histories (n = 43) reflected both a greater need for and fear of power, and contained more themes of powerlessness and betrayal than stories written by women without CSA histories (n = 43). Frequency of sexual abuse in combination with fear of power was predictive of depression and low self‐esteem.
Longitudinal patterns of care for patients with posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Ronis David L. , Bates Elizabeth W. , Garfein Adam J. , Buit Barbara K. , Falcon Spencer P. , Liberzon Israel
Published: June 2007

This study assessed patterns of mental health service use over time by patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — as compared with patients with schizophrenia and major depression — with emphasis on the persistence and episodic versus continuous nature of use. Data on utilization were extracted from Veterans Health Administration (VA) administrative data bases. Temporal patterns of use were categorized into intervals of inpatient, outpatient, and no use. PTSD patients used substantial amounts of mental health services, but averaged 2.2 nonuse intervals lasting more than 100 days each, implying that use was episodic. Use of mental health services by patients with PTSD is substantial, persistent, and quite episodic. To the extent that use of services reflects the course of the disorder, the results suggest that remissions are usually followed by relapse, and that absence of symptoms does not mean that the disorder has run its course.
Sertraline in the treatment of rape victims with posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Rothbaum Barbara O. , Ninan Philip T. , Thomas Linda
Published: June 2007

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant problem following rape, yet reports on the efficacy of pharmacological agents in this population are lacking. The results of an open 12‐week clinical trial utilizing sertraline (mean dose 105 mg) in the treatment of adult female rape victims with chronic PTSD are presented. The five completers were, on average, 41.6 years old and 15.6 years postassault. Sertraline reduced PTSD and related symptoms in these rape victims. The mean Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) scores decreased by 53%, with four out of five participants responding positively to treatment. These preliminary results support the need for systematic assessment of sertraline in this population.
Extent of victimization, traumatic stress symptoms, and adjustment of terrorist assault survivors: A long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Desivilya Helena Syna , Gal Reuven , Ayalon Ofra
Published: June 2007

This paper examines the long‐term impact of a terrorist attack on adolescents; this attack involved the seizure of over one hundred hostages, most of them adolescents, and the focus here is on the relationships between the extent of victimization and long‐term outcomes. The study was based on in‐depth interviews and a battery of questionnaires administered to the survivors 17 years after the event. The findings indicated that very intense victimization, particularly in terms of physical injury, had the strongest effect on long‐term adjustment in comparison to moderate or minimal victimization in the same trauma.
Alexithymia in holocaust survivors with and without PTSD
Authors: Yehuda Rachel , Steiner Ann , Kahana Boaz , Binder‐Brynes Karen , Southwick Steven M. , Zemelman Shelly , Giller Earl L.
Published: June 2007

Alexithymia was measured in non‐treatment seeking, community‐dwelling Holocaust survivors using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale—Twenty Item Version (TAS‐20). Scores of survivors with (n = 30) and without (n = 26) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were compared, and associations among alexithymia, severity of trauma, and severity of PTSD symptoms were determined. Survivors with PTSD had significantly higher scores on the TAS‐20 compared to survivors without PTSD. TAS‐20 scores were significantly associated with severity of PTSD symptoms, but not with severity of trauma. This study adds to our knowledge of the relationship between alexithymia and trauma by demonstrating that this characteristic is related to the presence of posttraumatic symptoms and not simply exposure to trauma.
A multimodal, second generation, posttraumatic stress disorder rehabilitation program
Authors: Hutzell R. R. , Halverson Steve , Burke Tom , Carpenter Bob , Hecke Ann , Wooldridge Heather , Stanley Carolyn , Chambers Teri , Hooper Richard
Published: June 2007

Second Generation posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment programs were recently proposed as one component of a model of treatment of chronic PTSD. While First Generation PTSD programs emphasized trauma work, Second Generation programs emphasize skills for the present/future ability to adapt within society. The present paper describes a functioning Second Generation PTSD treatment program for Vietnam combat veterans. The guiding principles underlying this multimodal and vocational rehabilitation program are outlined.
Preliminary evaluation of sexual problems in combat veterans with PTSD
Authors: Letourneau Elizabeth J. , Schewe Paul A. , Frueh B. Christopher
Published: June 2007

This study evaluated the potential relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sexual problems. The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction was mailed to combat veterans currently in treatment at an outpatient PTSD clinic. Completed questionnaires were received from 90 patients. Results indicated that over 80% of subjects were experiencing clinically relevant sexual difficulties. Impotence and premature ejaculation were the most frequently reported problems that have corresponding psychological diagnoses. The rates of sexual problems for this sample of veterans with PTSD was similar to those reported in other studies and exceeded rates of similar problems found in samples from community samples. These data suggest that PTSD may be a risk factor for sexual problems.
Stress reactions in disaster victims following the Bijlmermeer plane crash
Authors: Carlier Ingrid V. E. , Gersons Berthold P. R.
Published: June 2007

This article examined posttraumatic stress symptoms in a sample of disaster victims following the Bijlmermeer plane crash of October, 1992, in the Netherlands. Findings indicated that six months after the disaster 26% of the respondents were suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The victims' PTSD was strongly associated with material damage and loss. The discussion of the results focuses on the distinction between normal and pathological stress reactions and the implications for disaster after‐care.
Individual differences in posttraumatic stress disorder symptom profiles in Holocaust survivors in concentration camps or in hiding
Authors: Yehuda Rachel , Schmeidler James , Siever Larry J. , Binder‐Brynes Karen , Elkin Abbie
Published: June 2007

Symptom patterns were compared between Holocaust survivors in concentration camp (n = 70) and those who were in “hiding” (n = 30) during the war. The impact of age at the time of the trauma, gender, and cumulative lifetime stress, and the effect of each of these variables controlling for the others, on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were also evaluated. A significant negative relationship between age at the time of the trauma and symptoms of psychogenic amnesia, hypervigilence and emotional detachment, and a positive correlation between age and intrusive thoughts, were observed. Cumulative lifetime stress was positively associated with symptoms of avoidance. The study provides the first empirical data regarding the factors that potentially explain individual differences in PTSD symptom patterns in Holocaust survivors.
Client compliance with exposure treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Scott Michael J. , Stradling Stephen G.
Published: June 2007

Clients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) do not wish to “relive” their trauma, but exposure based treatments try to ensure that they do. While such treatments have proven efficacy in controlled outcome studies, how acceptable are they in routine clinical practice? The attempted clinical application of two such exposure treatments is briefly reported here. In the first, only 1 of 14 clients completed the image habituation procedure for homework in the manner described by its authors. In the second (N = 37), only 57% complied with an audiotape exposure treatment, and compliance was related to initial symptom severity and to severity of comorbid depression. Exposure based treatments are not ‘treatment of choice’ for some clients.
Complex PTSD in victims exposed to sexual and physical abuse: Results from the DSM‐IV field trial for posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Roth Susan , Newman Elana , Pelcovitz David , van der Kolk Bessel , Mandel Francine S.
Published: June 2007

Two hundred thirty four participants in the DSM‐IV Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Field Trial who reported sexual and/or physical abuse were evaluated. Participants were categorized according to type of abuse (physical, sexual, both), duration of abuse (acute versus chronic), and onset of abuse (early versus late). Separate logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between age of onset, duration, abuse type, and the complex PTSD (CP) lifetime diagnosis for women and men. Sexually abused women, especially those who also experienced physical abuse, had a higher risk of developing CP, although CP symptoms occurred at a high base rate among physically abused women. The theoretical implications and incremental clinical usefulness of targeting CP symptoms with abused populations are discussed.
Macromol. Biosci. 6/2007
Authors: Ebata Hiroki , Toshima Kazunobu , Matsumura Shuichi
Published: June 2007

Cover: Ricinoleic acid is obtained from the bean oil of naturally abundant castor plant. High‐molecular weight polyricinoleate was enzymatically prepared by the polycondensation of methyl ricinoleate using a lipase. It showed a good low temperature flexibility and biodegradability. It is expected to be used as a biodegradable and biobased elastomer. Further details can be found in the article by H. Ebata, K. Toshima, and S. Matsumura* on page 798.
Ternary Operations as Primitive Notions for Constructive Plane Geometry V
Authors: Pambuccian Victor
Published: June 2007

In this paper we provide a quantifier‐free, constructive axiomatization of metric‐Euclidean and of rectangular planes (generalizations of Euclidean planes). The languages in which the axiom systems are expressed contain three individual constants and two ternary operations. We also provide an axiom system in algorithmic logic for finite Euclidean planes, and for several minimal metric‐Euclidean planes. The axiom systems proposed will be used in a sequel to this paper to provide ‘the simplest possible’ axiom systems for several fragments of plane Euclidean geometry.

Mathematics Subject Classification: 51M05, 51M15, 03F65.
Initial Objects, Universal Objects for Squares, Equivalences and Congruences in Relation Semi‐Algebras and Algebras
Authors: Olivier Jean‐Pierre , Serrato Dany
Published: June 2007

In this paper the descriptions of the relation semi‐algebra generated by an equivalence element and the relation algebra generated by an equivalence element are unified by functorial constructions. Here the developed techniques and ideas lead to a more manageable conceptual construction of universal objects for the functors of squares and special congruences.
On Nonstructure of Elementary Submodels of an Unsuperstable Homogeneous Structure
Authors: Hyttinen Tapani
Published: June 2007

In the first part of this paper we let M be a stable homogeneous model and we prove a nonstructure theorem for the class of all elementary submodels of M, assuming that M is ‘unsuperstable’ and has Skolem functions. In the second part we assume that M is an unstable homogeneous model of large cardinality and we prove a nonstructure theorem for the class of all elementary submodels of M.
The strategic audit: A game theoretic approach to corporate competitive strategy
Authors: Shubik Martin
Published: June 2007

To bring the highly developed quantitative approaches of middle management in accounting and control to the aid of corporate strategists is not easy. Specific operational problems are less overt and therefore formal optimization techniques are less easy to apply. The paper considers that the difficulty lies less in the absence of techniques and more in the failure of top management to state its objectives with precision. To do this a strategic audit is suggested. This can aid in goal specification. Industrial economics and game theory can then be applied to the problem so delineated.
Estimating individual company costs of capital from cross‐sectional data: A random coefficients approach
Authors: Thompson Howard E.
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this study is to extend the empirical analysis of Thompson (1979) to generate individual company costs of equity capital from statistical analysis of cross‐sectional industry data. The paper uses a new random coefficients regression approach on 18 cross‐sections of 75 electric utilities for the years 1963–1980. The results show rank stability between years and plots of individual company costs of average and simple facts about companies. The procedure does not allow calculation of standard errors of the estimates but when compared with existing cost of capital methods is shown to be a useful addition to the methodology of estimation.
Decision‐making in the two‐act antitrust decision problem
Authors: Horowitz Ira , Dennis Samuel
Published: June 2007

This paper focuses on the antitrust decision‐making process as it pertains to anti‐merger policy as a special case of the more general two‐act decision problem. We employ the Analytic Hierarchy Process to analyze some prominent antitrust merger decision. The analysis suggests that the courts have failed to give potential competition its due when it acts to dampen any alleged market power accruing to the market leader, which in turn suggests that the defendants would be well advised to reorient the weight that they give to potential competition in designing their defense.
An intertemporal analysis of the shifting of FHA discount points to buyers
Authors: Taylor William M. , Wichern Dean W. , Stanley Craig E.
Published: June 2007

In this paper, hedonic regressions are used to analyze a seven‐year sample of monthly sales of bungalows in Chicago. Even when sales are considered within individual sections of Chicago, the FHA dummyindependent variable and the ‘points’‐independent variable usually have negative coefficients. In certain areas of Chicago there is an absence of conventional loans and conventionally qualified buyers. Consequently, sellers in these neighborhoods must sell using FHA‐insured mortgages and may be prevented from fully shifting points to the FHA buyer in the absence of competing financing alternatives. The use of FHA mortgages in these transactions means that the standard hedonic approach cannot correctly measure the extent of point‐shifting because the housing/demographic characteristics decrease sales‐prices at the same time the point‐shifting increases them. The estimated FHA coefficients reflect the net result of these effects.
Variational iteration method for solving the space‐ and time‐fractional KdV equation
Authors: Momani Shaher , Odibat Zaid , Alawneh Ahmed
Published: June 2007

This paper presents numerical solutions for the space‐ and time‐fractional Korteweg–de Vries equation (KdV for short) using the variational iteration method. The space‐ and time‐fractional derivatives are described in the Caputo sense. In this method, general Lagrange multipliers are introduced to construct correction functionals for the problems. The multipliers in the functionals can be identified optimally via variational theory. The iteration method, which produces the solutions in terms of convergent series with easily computable components, requiring no linearization or small perturbation. The numerical results show that the approach is easy to implement and accurate when applied to space‐ and time‐fractional KdV equations. The method introduces a promising tool for solving many space–time fractional partial differential equations. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2007
Modification of upwind finite difference fractional step methods by the transient state of the semiconductor device
Authors: Yuan Yirang
Published: June 2007

The mathematical model of the three‐dimensional semiconductor devices of heat conduction is described by a system of four quasi‐linear partial differential equations for initial boundary value problem. One equation of elliptic form is for the electric potential; two equations of convection‐dominated diffusion type are for the electron and hole concentration; and one heat conduction equation is for temperature. Upwind finite difference fractional step methods are put forward. Some techniques, such as calculus of variations, energy method multiplicative commutation rule of difference operators, decomposition of high order difference operators, and the theory of prior estimates and techniques are adopted. Optimal order estimates in L2 norm are derived to determine the error in the approximate solution.© 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2008
Exact integration of the stiffness matrix of an 8‐node plane elastic finite element by symbolic computation
Authors: Videla L. , Baloa T. , Griffiths D.V. , Cerrolaza M.
Published: June 2007

Computer algebra systems (CAS) are powerful tools for obtaining analytical expressions for many engineering applications in both academic and industrial environments. CAS have been used in this paper to generate exact expressions for the stiffness matrix of an 8‐node plane elastic finite element. The Maple software system was used to identify six basic formulas from which all the terms of the stiffness matrix could be obtained. The formulas are functions of the Cartesian coordinates of the corner nodes of the element, and elastic parameters Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio. Many algebraic manipulations were performed on the formulas to optimize their efficiency. The redaction in CPU time using the exact expressions as opposed to the classical Gauss–Legendre numerical integration approach was over 50%. In an additional study of accuracy, it was shown that the numerical approach could lead to quite significant errors as compared with the exact approach, especially as element distortion was increased.© 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2007
A capillary zone electrophoresis method for the quantitative determination of hypoxoside in commercial formulations of african potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea)
Authors: Nair Vipin D. P. , Kanfer I.
Published: June 2007

Hypoxoside is a norlignan diglucoside present in the corms of African potato, Hypoxis hemerocallidea, used as a popular African traditional medicine for its nutritional and immune boosting properties. A specific analytical method employing capillary zone electrophoresis has been developed and validated for the quantitative determination of this analyte. Sulfafurazole was used as internal standard, and electrophoretic separation of both analytes could be achieved within 12 min. Linearity of the method was established within the range 5–60 µg/mL and provided a high degree of accuracy (100 ± 3%). The recovery of the method was found to be 100 ± 5% and the RSDs of the intra‐ and inter‐day precision were better than 5.19 and 2.52%, respectively. The limits of detection and quantification were calculated to be 0.5 and 2 µg/mL, respectively. The described method was used for the analysis and quality control of two commercially available products containing African potato. The method can also be used to determine product stability since it could separate the hypoxoside peak from its degraded products obtained from degradation studies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.