Psychological defenses following traumas aim to hide or alleviate conflicts or stressors that give rise to anxiety ( Beresford, 2012). The current research endeavored to understand the mediating mechanisms that link PTSD from past trauma with psychological distress by focusing on two potential psychodynamic constructs: ego defense mechanisms and alexithymia.

Individual differences suggest that the impact of traumatic life events on distress outcomes is not a direct one ( Verhaeghe and Vanheule, 2005) but through a variety of factors. Notwithstanding this, following a trauma, not all victims will go on to develop PTSD some may experience disruptions in functioning but gradually return to normal, others maintain clinically significant psychological co-morbidities (e.g., Smyth et al., 2008) such as depression ( Hill, 2003 Briere, 2004) and anxiety ( Heim and Nemeroff, 2001) which require prolonged intervention ( Kessler et al., 2005 Espié et al., 2009 Bonanno and Mancini, 2012). Increasing evidence from research and clinical practice shows that a history of trauma is a potent risk factor for psychological disorders ( Davidson et al., 1991 Halligan and Yehuda, 2000 Keane et al., 2006) of which posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common ( APA, 2013). The severity of these distress symptoms was influenced by the way they defended themselves psychologically, and their ability to identify, express, and process distressing emotions.Įxposure to a traumatic event is a statistically normative experience in the general population, as exemplified by large scale epidemiology studies ( Kilpatrick et al., 2013 Benjet et al., 2016), many of which (approximately 56–74%) have reported exposure to at least one potentially traumatic event (e.g., assault or accident) during their lives ( Norris, 1992 Kessler et al., 1995 Breslau, 2002 Atwoli et al., 2015). Alexithymia and defenses (especially immature defense) mediated the path between PTSD and psychological co-morbidities.Ĭonclusion: Following past trauma, people developed PTSD and other psychological symptoms. Results: PTSD following past trauma was associated with increased psychological distress. Method: 455 university students completed a set of questionnaires: PTSD Checklists for DSM-5, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Defense Style Questionnaire, and General Health Questionnaire-28. The current study aimed to examine the potential impact of alexithymia and defense mechanisms on the relationship between past trauma and distress among Chinese university students. Little is known, however, about the roles of defense mechanisms and alexithymia may play in the process. Objectives: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following past trauma could lead to psychological distress.

2Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.

1Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

Most important, they explain how we can best recognize, understand, and treat the sufferers and develop intervention policies.Siqi Fang 1, Man Cheung Chung 2 and Yabing Wang 2* The experts offer a gripping overview of the most traumatic and widespread events causing trauma and of the symptoms and health impairment that may result. The growing field of trauma psychology has been spurred recently by natural events from Hurricane Katrina to the Tsunami, and by terrorist events worldwide, as well as chronic health and social issues-from persistent pain to homelessness-that are mounting.

Case examples, treatment recommendations, and public policy recommendations are included in each of the chapters. Sources of trauma discussed include stalking, killing, terrorism, torture, kidnap, workplace violence, domestic violence, children and war, fires, floods, AIDS, pain, burns, spinal cord injury, children and medical illness, homelessness, and more. Special attention is also given to culture and context, because what is considered healthy or problematic may vary widely across cultures, and culture can influence people's coping styles.

They also examine current and emerging research on effective interventions to minimize and heal the effects of the trauma. These volumes by a team of internationally recognized experts reflect and highlight both recognized and under-recognized events that cause trauma.

Trauma psychology