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ABSTRACT: Alterations of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and sympathetic-adrenal activity have been proposed as key factors in biological models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
We examined neuroendocrine function in female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) with lifetime (current or remitted) PTSD (n=29) and in women who were exposed to IPV but never developed PTSD (n=20). Salivary cortisol was collected as a marker of HPA axis function at 1, 4, 9, and 11 h after awakening. Platelet epinephrine and norepinephrine were assayed as markers of sympathetic-adrenal activation.
Women with lifetime PTSD had significantly higher cortisol levels across the day compared to abuse-exposed participants without PTSD, after controlling for age, depression, severity, and latency of abuse. There were no significant group differences in levels of platelet catecholamines.
Elevated cortisol levels may be a biomarker of IPV-related lifetime PTSD, reflecting long-lasting changes associated with trauma-exposure or possibly a reflection of risk for PTSD in women.
Psychoneuroendocrinology 09/2006; 31(7):825-38. · 5.81 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a chronic and recurrent traumatic stressor associated with PTSD; however, its biological correlates are not well understood. This study examined diurnal salivary cortisol and platelet catecholamines in women with lifetime IPV-related PTSD and in women exposed to IPV who did not develop PTSD. Cortisol was elevated in women with lifetime PTSD compared to controls. No differences were found for platelet catecholamines.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 08/2006; 1071:428-9. · 3.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study examined the effects of optimism following traumatic stress and pathways through which optimism may act. Rescue and recovery workers at the crash site of US Air Flight 427 (n= 159) were studied 2, 6, 9, and 12 months after the crash to examine optimistic outlook, social support, coping, and stress. As predicted, a more optimistic disposition was associated with less self-reported distress, less use of avoidant and wishful-thinking coping strategies, greater use of problem-focused and seeking-social-support coping, and greater availability of social support. Contrary to expectations, coping did not account for the relationships observed between optimism and stress responding. Social support explained some of the effects of optimism on coping and stress, but these mediational effects varied over time. Findings suggest that optimism affects stress and coping directly and indirectly by affecting how much social support is available.
Journal of Applied Social Psychology 07/2006; 31(2):223 - 245. · 0.63 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Recent use of group interventions among cancer patients has met with success in affecting aspects of disease course and well-being, suggesting that the instructive, supportive, validating, and calming influences of group settings are particularly useful in treating this disease. In this chapter, we review the bases and outcomes of group-based psychosocial interventions among cancer patients, with an eye toward isolating the sources of group influence that are beneficial to cancer patients. The following topics are addressed: why should groups help cancer patients (social support, social comparison, coping and modeling), group interventions for cancer distress, how well do group interventions work, and group context and psychological well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
10/1998;
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Psychology & Health 01/1998; 13(6):1121-1134. · 1.69 Impact Factor
