Persistent Risk-Related Worry as a Function of Recalled Exposure to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Prior Trauma

Large oil spills are disasters associated with psychological effects for exposed communities. The amount of worry that individuals experience after a disaster may be influenced by many factors, such as the type and extent of exposure to disaster impacts, prior trauma, and sociodemographic characteristics. This study examined the nature and predictors of worry about ongoing impacts of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DH) oil spill reported by Gulf of Mexico coastal residents. A random sample of 2,520 adult residents of Gulf of Mexico coastal counties were administered a telephone survey in 2016, including items about persistent worry and exposure to DH impacts, prior trauma, residence at the time of the spill, and sociodemographic characteristics. Respondents varied in the amount of worry they reported about ongoing health, social, and economic impacts. Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, higher exposure to the DH oil spill was related to higher levels of worry about ongoing impacts, with past traumatic events related specifically to worry about health impacts. Unexpectedly, those who moved into the region after the spill showed similar levels of worry to residents exposed to the spill, and higher levels than residents who did not recall being exposed to the DH oil spill. This study highlights the impact of the DH oil spill on coastal residents many years after the DH disaster. The findings underscore the need to examine multiple pathways by which individuals experience disasters and for risk researchers to close knowledge gaps about long-term impacts of oil spills within a multi-dimensional framework.     

Digital crime,trauma, and abuse: Internet safety and cyber risks for adolescents and emerging adults in the 21st century

ABSTRACT

The shift in the technology landscape has altered the technology ecosystem of adolescents and emerging adults in the 21^st century. Yet, with greater use of digital gadgets comes greater mental health risks that technological advancement brings. This study provides a narrative review of contemporary cyber risks faced by adolescents and emerging adults. In particular, this review will cover dangers and effects of cyber-bullying, social media, cyber-dating violence, sextortion, sexting, revenge porn, online dating, catfishing, and scammers, with an emphasis to raise awareness and encourage proactive efforts dedicated to address these social concerns as the digital era continues to evolve.     

Risk factors for severe perineal trauma during vaginal childbirth: A Western Australian retrospective cohort study

AimTo determine rates and risk factors for third and fourth degree perineal tears (severe perineal trauma) in a Western Australian context.Design and settingA retrospective hospital-based cohort study was performed using computerised data for 10,408 singleton vaginal deliveries from 28 weeks gestation.MethodsWomen with severe perineal trauma were compared to those without. Logistic regression analysis, stratified by parity, was used to assess demographic and obstetric factors associated with perineal trauma.ResultsSevere perineal trauma incidence was 3% (338/10408), 5.4% (239/4405) for primiparas and 1.7% (99/5990) for multiparas (p < 0.001). Adjusted risk factors associated with trauma and common across parity included Asian or Indian ethnicity, shoulder dystocia and assisted delivery. Epidural analgesia (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.54–0.96), preterm birth (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.23–0.72) and episiotomy (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.39–0.74) were protective in primiparas, while episiotomy was associated with increased risk in multiparas (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.18–3.45). Additional factors among primiparas were occipito posterior (OP) delivery (OR 3.35, 95% CI 1.75–6.41) and prolonged second stage (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.46–2.68), and among multiparas included gestational diabetes (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.04–3.03) and birth weight >4000 g (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.10–3.15).ConclusionParity differences in risk factors such as episiotomy, infant weight, OP delivery, gestational diabetes and prolonged second stage warrant investigation into clinical management. Although rates differ internationally, and replication evidence has confirmed consistency for certain demographic and obstetric factors, the development of internationally endorsed clinical guidelines and further research around interventions to protect the perineum are recommended.     

Israeli existential anxiety: cultural trauma and the constitution of national character

The present paper extends recent studies of national character – suggesting that the Israeli case revolves around a set of deep cultural codes which constitute various empirical manifestations. Broadening on this re-emerging paradigm, the study provides a specific case study of a major trait of Israeli national character, namely existential anxiety and fear of annihilation. It does so while advancing the idea that cultural trauma sets a context for Israeli national character. The analysis shows that Israelis constantly reference persistent and endemic existential fears of annihilation. They do so while tying together four levels: the mythological predicament, historical evidence, contemporary threats and future risks.     

Navigating post-trauma realities in family systems: Applying social constructivism and systems theory to youth and family trauma

Trauma affecting youth and families takes a variety of forms, from random one-time events such as accidents and natural disasters to chronic and highly personal trauma from child abuse or intimate partner violence. Though trauma has received increasing attention in theory and intervention research over the last several decades, the prevailing theories and treatments have limitations due to a linear perspective focused on the trauma problems of the individual. This is particularly concerning given the high dropout rates for trauma-focused treatments and the complexities of intergenerational trauma that cannot be adequately conceptualised at the level of the individual. To inform and improve family-based treatment of youth and family trauma, this paper proposes a theoretical framework informed by social constructivism and systems theory. Social constructivism upholds that reality is constructed through communication as an adaptive process for survival, with multiple potential realities possible. Systems theory promotes a non-linear view of causality within a system, such that the structure and properties of a system determine outcomes more than the inputs that go into the system. Together, the principles of these meta-theories contradict the orthodox focus on traumatic events causing trauma symptoms, and instead imply that family-based treatment should focus on helping families shift assumptions and dynamics that sustain the problem in the present. The joint application of a social constructivism–systems theory framework for trauma introduces several new principles to inform family-based treatment: (a) post-trauma realities; (b) mutual survival; (c) power–justice balance; and (d) adaptive reorganisation. The implications of these principles for youth and family trauma treatment will be discussed. Future intervention development and research should consider these principles in the ongoing effort to improve family therapy for youth and family trauma.     

The obscuring of class in memoirs of parents of children with disabilities

Many memoirs written by the parents of children with disabilities have been published in America, especially in recent years. Although they often tell tales of struggle and heartache, they are also often tales of parents and children who manage to overcome adversity. While these stories no doubt often give many new parents of children with disabilities hope, they also obscure the fact that members of different classes have different access to various coping strategies for the extra challenges of raising a child with a disability. This paper examines nine memoirs and how the authors were able to use resources available to members of the middle and upper class (finances, time, and social connections) to more easily accomplish modern ideals of disability in America: de‐institutionalization and inclusion. The coping strategies of the lower class are absent from the discussion. Finally, the paper argues that it is ill‐advised to place such a heavy burden on families in accommodating persons with disabilities.     

抵制与厌弃“:文革”期间“样板戏”传播的困境

"文革"期间,"样板戏"传播遭遇抵制的缘由主要表现在三个方面:文学话语对政治意识形态的消解;中共高层对"样板戏"独霸文艺舞台造成的百花凋零局面的不满;"文革"受难者对"样板戏"的憎恶。"样板戏"传播遭遇抵制与厌弃的现象,证明了样板戏企图独霸文艺舞台、统合观众接受心理的悖谬与虚妄。     

“内伤”与“外伤”的双重煎熬——再议福克纳笔下的创伤

威廉·福克纳被公认为南方文学的代表者及美国南方文艺复兴的支柱,他独具匠心地勾勒出一个由创伤编织的世界,再现了社会变革的种种阵痛,揭开了人们难以痊愈的创伤。通过突显主人公的性属创伤和种族创伤,揭露内伤与外伤双重煎熬下创伤的升华,不仅更好地刻画了人物,而且形成一种巨大的张力,深深地触及时代的脉搏,在丰富作品文化内涵的同时,亦拓展了作品的现实意义。     

创伤与记忆——西尔维娅·普拉斯诗歌透视

纵观西尔维娅.普拉斯的一生,她在多重创伤下痛苦、绝望、疯狂乃至自杀。她在自白诗里大胆地表达了对死亡的沉迷以及对再生的渴望。疯狂赤裸的自白,既是普拉斯创伤后应激障碍的典型症状,也是其重构创伤经历,试图摆脱创伤的煎熬,渴望灵魂新生和呼唤新时代的表现。普拉斯倾其一生用自白唱响了一首死而复生的悲歌。