Anger and Psychotrauma: Data From Military and Civilians

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is mainly associated with several emotions such as anger, guilt or shame. By interfering with psychotherapeutic work these emotions can be problematic. When suffering from PTSD, pervasive anger can also have relational consequences. Anger and PTSD are mutually reinforcing: anger can aggravate PTSD symptoms and aggressive behaviours, and conversely, PTSD promotes high levels of anger and aggression. A few explanatory hypotheses have been proposed. In terms of personality factors, anger-treatment may promote the severity of PTSD symptoms and the development of aggressive behaviours. In terms of stressors, exposure to combat and combat-related moral harms could play a role in the relationship between PTSD, anger and traumatic experiences over the course of life. Finally, in clinical terms, in the presence of PTSD, anger and aggressive behaviours may be triggered by substance abuse and depression. Within the Anglo-Saxon literature, it is recognized that both civilians and military personnel with PTSD exhibit high levels of anger, with a possible predominance among military personnel. While we know that anger management mechanisms can be strongly influenced by cultural aspects and the type of event, there is no data in the French population. This study proposes to fill in our knowledge of anger-PSTD relationships in the French population and by comparing civilian and military population.

Official Title
-----------------
Anger and Psychotrauma: Data From Military and Civilians

Conditions
-----------------
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: Structured clinical interview
* Behavioral: Psychological questionnaires


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: To have a PTSD diagnosis To be at least 18 years of age Exclusion Criteria: To suffer from trauma-related physical condition (including Traumatic Brain Injury)

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Civilian group<br>Participants with civilian status | Behavioral: Structured clinical interview<br>* A structured clinical interview will be performed at enrollment.<br>Behavioral: Psychological questionnaires<br>* Several psychological questionnaires will be performed at enrollment.<br>|
| Military group<br>Participants with military status | Behavioral: Structured clinical interview<br>* A structured clinical interview will be performed at enrollment.<br>Behavioral: Psychological questionnaires<br>* Several psychological questionnaires will be performed at enrollment.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Anxiety score | Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-II (STAXI-II) will be used to assess anxiety | At enrollment | 
| PTSD severity score | Clinician-Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale (CAPS-5) will be used to assess PTSD severity score. CAPS-5 score may range from 0 to 120 with higher scores meaning greater PTSD severity. | At enrollment | 
| Number of life traumatic events | Life Event Checklist (LEC) will be used to assess the number of traumatic events experienced by participants throughout their lifetime | At enrollment | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aggressivity score | Aggressivity Questionnaire (AQ12) will be used to assess aggressivity score. AQ12 score may range from 6 to 72 with higher scores meaning higher aggressivity levels. | At enrollment | 
| Anger Rumination score | Anger Rumination Scale (ARS) will be used to assess anger rumination score. ARS score may range from 19 to 76 with higher scores corresponding to greater levels of anger rumination. | At enrollment | 
| Alcohol consumption score | Alcohol Use Identification Test (A.U.D.I.T.) will be used to assess alcohol consumption score Score ≥ 5: at risk use; Score ≥ 8 (7 in women): harmful use; Score ≥ 12 (11 in women): likely alcohol dependence | At enrollment |