disorder. The DSM-IV cited prevalence rates of PTSD between 3% and 58%in 1994. More recent findings indicate that only about 25% of individuals whoexperience trauma develop PTSD (Brady, 2001). Therefore, it is useful toexplore the factors that enable the other 75% of trauma victims to survive, andeven to psychologically recover, despite their traumatic experiences.Resiliency is the term applied to those individuals exposed to severe riskfactors who nevertheless thrive and excel (Werner, 2001). It is an ability tosuccessfully overcome physical and psychological trauma that definesresiliency.In what is now considered a classic study on resiliency, Werner (2001) foundthat in spite of extreme disadvantages and multiple risk factors, resilientchildren manage to succeed and contribute to society. Werner followed 505individuals from birth to adulthood, on the island of Kauai (Hawaii), to study theimpact of various biological and psychosocial risk factors, protective factors,and stressful life events on their development. The group comprisedindividuals from many different ethnic groups, including Japanese, Hawaiian,and Filipino. Results of Werner's study indicated that one in three of thesehigh-risk children developed into confident, capable, and caring young adults.Individual differences partly accounted for resiliency among some children.The presence of grandparents or mentors who provided children withconsistent nurturing and support emerged as an additional factor thatameliorated suffering and buffered responses to constitutional risks andstressful life events (Werner, 2001). Besides innate and environmentalcircumstances that support resiliency, several other factors also influence anindividual's ability to recover from trauma. By becoming familiar with thesefactors and the intensity at which they are likely to occur, a practitioner is betterequipped to determine the direction of a therapeutic relationship.Factors That Influence Recovery From TraumaIntensity. Obviously, the more intense and chronic the trauma, the moredamaging are its effects.Chronicity. Chronic PTSD, described as Type II trauma, is more difficult to treatthan acute, or Type I, trauma (Terr, 1991). Previous experiences ofvictimization can severely compromise an individual's ability to recover. PTSDsymptoms of more than 16 to 18 months' duration tend to be classified aschronic (Friedman & Rosenheck, 1996). Chronic PTSD is usuallycharacterized by fluctuations in symptom severity with periods of remission,but rarely is more than partial recovery achieved (Ronis, Bates, Garfein, Buit,Falcon, & Liberzon, 1996).Pre-existing condition. A pre-existing mental illness, substance abuse, orchronic medical condition decreases an individual's ability to recover fromtrauma, leading to co-morbid disorders.Personality. The personality, including a positive self-concept, high self-esteem, high self-confidence, and an extraverted personality style, influencesresiliency and recovery from trauma (Werner, 2001). In a study conductedamong college students, those with trauma histories reported more traitanxiety, lower self-esteem, higher neuroticism, more introversion, and reducedemotional stability than non-traumatized subjects (Bunce, Larsen, & Peterson,1995).Cognitive style. The individual's cognitive style can also influence recovery.Traumatized individuals reported more cognitive disturbances. They displaycognitive styles that are associated with an increased risk for depression(Bunce et al., 1995). In contrast, resilient individuals tend to possess highercognitive ability which provides a protection against PTSD (Werner 2001) • What could have been done tomitigate the long-term effects of hertrauma?• What would you have done tosupport Ellen, were you her friend orconfidant?• Was there anything surprising in thearticle(s) you selected to read?• What sorts of resources can you findonline to help a victim of what sheexperienced?

Answered: • What could have been done to mitigate…

Ciccarelli: Psychology_5 (5th Edition)

5th Edition

ISBN:9780134477961

Author:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White

Publisher:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White

Chapter1: The Science Of Psychology

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disorder. The DSM-IV cited prevalence rates of PTSD between 3% and 58%
in 1994. More recent findings indicate that only about 25% of individuals who
experience trauma develop PTSD (Brady, 2001). Therefore, it is useful to
explore the factors that enable the other 75% of trauma victims to survive, and
even to psychologically recover, despite their traumatic experiences.
Resiliency is the term applied to those individuals exposed to severe risk
factors who nevertheless thrive and excel (Werner, 2001). It is an ability to
successfully overcome physical and psychological trauma that defines
resiliency.
In what is now considered a classic study on resiliency, Werner (2001) found
that in spite of extreme disadvantages and multiple risk factors, resilient
children manage to succeed and contribute to society. Werner followed 505
individuals from birth to adulthood, on the island of Kauai (Hawaii), to study the
impact of various biological and psychosocial risk factors, protective factors,
and stressful life events on their development. The group comprised
individuals from many different ethnic groups, including Japanese, Hawaiian,
and Filipino. Results of Werner's study indicated that one in three of these
high-risk children developed into confident, capable, and caring young adults.
Individual differences partly accounted for resiliency among some children.
The presence of grandparents or mentors who provided children with
consistent nurturing and support emerged as an additional factor that
ameliorated suffering and buffered responses to constitutional risks and
stressful life events (Werner, 2001). Besides innate and environmental
circumstances that support resiliency, several other factors also influence an
individual's ability to recover from trauma. By becoming familiar with these
factors and the intensity at which they are likely to occur, a practitioner is better
equipped to determine the direction of a therapeutic relationship.
Factors That Influence Recovery From Trauma
Intensity. Obviously, the more intense and chronic the trauma, the more
damaging are its effects.
Chronicity. Chronic PTSD, described as Type II trauma, is more difficult to treat
than acute, or Type I, trauma (Terr, 1991). Previous experiences of
victimization can severely compromise an individual's ability to recover. PTSD
symptoms of more than 16 to 18 months' duration tend to be classified as
chronic (Friedman & Rosenheck, 1996). Chronic PTSD is usually
characterized by fluctuations in symptom severity with periods of remission,
but rarely is more than partial recovery achieved (Ronis, Bates, Garfein, Buit,
Falcon, & Liberzon, 1996).
Pre-existing condition. A pre-existing mental illness, substance abuse, or
chronic medical condition decreases an individual's ability to recover from
trauma, leading to co-morbid disorders.
Personality. The personality, including a positive self-concept, high self-
esteem, high self-confidence, and an extraverted personality style, influences
resiliency and recovery from trauma (Werner, 2001). In a study conducted
among college students, those with trauma histories reported more trait
anxiety, lower self-esteem, higher neuroticism, more introversion, and reduced
emotional stability than non-traumatized subjects (Bunce, Larsen, & Peterson,
1995).
Cognitive style. The individual's cognitive style can also influence recovery.
Traumatized individuals reported more cognitive disturbances. They display
cognitive styles that are associated with an increased risk for depression
(Bunce et al., 1995). In contrast, resilient individuals tend to possess higher
cognitive ability which provides a protection against PTSD (Werner 2001)

• What could have been done to
mitigate the long-term effects of her
trauma?
• What would you have done to
support Ellen, were you her friend or
confidant?
• Was there anything surprising in the
article(s) you selected to read?
• What sorts of resources can you find
online to help a victim of what she
experienced?

Expert Solution

INTRODUCTION

Every traumatic event stimulates a stress reaction known as the trauma response. Trauma can have a powerful impact on one's life. It can affect their mental, emotional and physical state, treatment presentation and symptom management. In some people the symptoms might clearly mark a line of an accurate diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) while in some people it could be recurring for longer period of time and does not constitute a clear criteria of diagnosis.