HURRICANES HARVEY AND IRMA

In response to the devastating effects of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress has created a dedicated page with information and resources on grief, evacuation centers, psychological and behavioral reactions to disasters, vulnerable populations, health risk and crisis communication, and workplace management during crisis. These can be accessed by clicking HERE.

Research Review Summer 2017

CSTS is pleased to release the Summer 2017 edition of Research Review (RR). RR presents summaries of current and emerging research in the areas of intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment. In this edition, the subjects of the child maltreatment articles are colic, assessment of physical abuse and the risk for fatalities, resilience in children, and educational neglect. IPV articles are on the relationships between IPV and animal abuse, adult conflict and breakups, families with complex needs, and needs of female victims of IPV. RR can be freely distributed to anyone who may benefit from this information.

Article - VA's National PTSD Brain Bank: a National Resource for Research

The National PTSD Brain Bank (NPBB) is a brain tissue biorepository established to support research on the causes, progression, and treatment of PTSD. This article describes the organization and operations of NPBB with specific attention to: tissue acquisition, tissue processing, diagnostic assessment, maintenance of a confidential data biorepository, adherence to ethical standards, governance, accomplishments to date, and future challenges. 

[PubMed]

Army STARRS: Vol 1, Iss 17 (UPDATED AUGUST 21, 2017)

This document is an ongoing continuous summary of Army STARRS and STARRS-LS publications. Army STARRS (2009-2015) was the largest and most comprehensive research project of mental health among U.S. Army Soldiers ever conducted. The project was designed to examine a broad range of risk and resilience (protective) factors across a complex set of outcomes including suicidal behaviors and associated mental health issues. Army STARRS scientists created a series of large and extensive databases with the potential to achieve groundbreaking results. These databases allow scientists to investigate a diverse combination of factors from demographic, psychological, biological, neurological, behavioral, and social domains with the goal of generating actionable findings for the Army. The project was designed using an adaptive approach which means it evolved as new information became available over the course of the project. The research team shared preliminary findings, as they became available, with senior Army leadership so the Army could apply them to its ongoing health promotion, risk reduction, and suicide prevention efforts. The work is continuing under the STARRS Longitudinal Study (STARRS-LS) which runs from 2015 to 2020.

FACTSHEET: ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS FOR SPECIAL OPERATORS

Military personnel can experience a variety of stressors and potentially traumatic events, which increase the risk for distress and mental health disorders. Effective recognition and management of these stressors can enhance the health and well-being of service members, and optimize military readiness. Below are instruments that assess a broad range of work–life stressors that can impact military special operators.