Biomedical subjects

A Goenjian

Publications and source records attributed to A Goenjian.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Moral development and psychopathological interference in conscience functioning among adolescents after trauma.

OBJECTIVES: To compare moral development and psychopathological interference with conscience functioning (PI) among adolescents exposed to different degrees of earthquake-related trauma and to investigate the relationship of moral development and PI to exposure to trauma, severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, postearthquake adversities, and extent of loss of nuclear family members. METHOD: Adolescents (N = 193) from 2 cities at different distances from the epicenter were evaluated. The Stilwell Structured Conscience Interview was used to assess moral development and PI. Structured self-report instruments were used to obtain ratings of severity of earthquake-related trauma, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and postearthquake adversities. RESULTS: Adolescents in the city near the epicenter manifested advanced moral development as compared with their counterparts in the less affected city. Concomitantly, they endorsed responses indicating PI. Levels of PI were significantly correlated with severity of PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSION: In the aftermath of a catastrophic natural disaster, children assume greater responsibilities and confront a multitude of morally challenging interpersonal situations which may result in an advancement of their moral development. Yet, at the same time, PTSD symptoms and negative schematizations of self and others may give rise to disturbances in conscience functioning. The findings suggest that therapeutic consideration should be given to assisting children in integrating the horror of their traumatic experiences and the harshness of posttrauma adversities into an adaptive schema of good and evil in themselves and the world.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

A behavioral animal model of posttraumatic stress disorder featuring repeated exposure to situational reminders.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate an animal model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in mice. The model featured repeated exposures to situational reminders of a traumatic stress, which consisted of a brief electric shock, and included assessment of two behavioral parameters and the startle reflex. The findings indicated an initial, but unsustained, increase in locomotor activity in a neutral environment due to traumatic stress. Exposure to situational reminders was associated with a persistent bidirectional abnormal behavioral pattern in a fear-provoking environment and a progressive increase over time in the magnitude of the startle reflex. Exposure to situational reminders also produced an increase in aggressive behavior. This animal model appears to produce behavioral changes analogous to those seen in patients with PTSD.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1993

A mental health relief programme in Armenia after the 1988 earthquake. Implementation and clinical observations.

An international mental health relief programme for children and adults was implemented in Soviet Armenia after the 7 December 1988 Spitak earthquake. This paper presents: (a) the steps considered essential in the selection, preparation and support of mental health workers for the relief work; (b) a method which facilitated the screening and treating of large numbers of students in their classrooms; (c) the rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (74%) and major depressive disorder (22%) of 582 victims clinically evaluated before entering treatment three to six months after the earthquake; (d) clinical observations of significant psychological problems that may be overlooked in brief crisis-orientated psychotherapy; (e) multiple severe post-earthquake adversities (such as the collapse of the social network, the recurrence of after-shocks, the delay of reconstruction and the ongoing political turmoil) which contributed to the psychological problems of the victims and delayed their recovery; (f) the extension of the outreach programme beyond its traditional therapeutic role to an advisory one to other relief organisations.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1993

Post-traumatic stress reactions in children after the 1988 Armenian earthquake.

One and a half years after the devastating earthquake in Armenia in 1988, 231 children from three cities at increasing distances from the epicentre were randomly screened in their schools to determine the frequency and severity of post-traumatic stress reactions, using the Children's Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (CPTSD-RI). A systematic clinical assessment of PTSD based on DSM-III-R criteria was also conducted on approximately half of this sample. A high CPTSD-RI score was strongly correlated with a clinical diagnosis of PTSD. A strong positive correlation was found between proximity to the epicentre and overall severity of post-traumatic stress reaction, as well as severity of core component symptoms of PTSD. High rates of chronic, severe post-traumatic stress reactions were found among children in the two most damaged cities, Spitak and Gumri. Analyses controlling for exposure revealed that girls reported more persistent fears than boys. These findings indicate that after catastrophic natural disaster, post-traumatic reactions in children may reach epidemic proportions, remain high for a prolonged period, and jeopardise the well-being of the child population of a large region. Systematic screening of children for PTSD can provide critical information for a rational public mental health programme after such a disaster.

Adaptation, Psychological↗