Psychological, Social and Cultural Aspects of Experiencing Trauma

The aim of this course is to present various aspects of experiencing trauma by humans, starting from intuitively obvious, negative consequences of experiencing traumatic events in the form of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to some paradoxical, positive outcomes of experiencing trauma, which comprise the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth. During this course students will mainly learn about the etiology, diagnostic methods, risk factors and effective forms of psychotherapy of PTSD. However, this course will also focus on important, yet highly understudied research areas, i.e. the psychological and social factors promoting positive changes following trauma and adversity. Finally, the aforementioned topics will be presented in the light of important cultural factors, i.e., during the course students will analyze short excerpts from literature and movies devoted to the topic of trauma.

Organizational classes: presentation of the aim of the course and course requirements.

Short history and evolution of the term „trauma” (14.10.2021).

Basic literature:

Kucmin, T., Kucmin, A., Nogalski, A., Sojczuk, S. & Jojczuk, M. (2014). History of trauma and posttraumatic disorders in literature. Psychiatria Polska, 50(1), 269-281.

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3888/4209400093ff82bae3aad6a2f3ca556c6c0f.pdf

Advanced literature (library):

McFarlane, A. (2000). On the social denial of trauma and the problem of knowing the past. In: A. Shalev, R. Yehuda, A. McFarlane (Ed.). International handbook of human responses to trauma. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a diagnostic entity

Basic Literature (library):

Ford, J. D., Grasso, D. J., Elhai, J. D., & Courtois, C. A. (2015). Posttraumatic stress disorder: Scientific and professional dimensions (2nd ed.). Elsevier Academic Press. (Ch. 1, 2, 3, 6)

Advanced literature:

Breslau, N. & Kessler, R.C. (2001). The stressor criterion in DSM-IV posttraumatic stress disorder: an empirical investigation. Society of Biological Psychiatry, 50, 699-704. (Research Gate).

Friedman, M. (2014). Literature on DSM-5 and ICD-11. PTSD Research Quarterly, 25 (2). http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/newsletters/research-quarterly/V25N2.pdf

Ozer, E. J., Best, S. R., Lipsey, T. L., Weiss, D. S. (2003). Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Symptoms in Adults: A Meta – Analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 129 (1), 52 – 73. (Research Gate).

Personality and social risk factors for PTSD

Basic literature:

Ford, J. D., Grasso, D. J., Elhai, J. D., & Courtois, C. A. (2015). Posttraumatic stress disorder: Scientific and professional dimensions (2nd ed.). Elsevier Academic Press. (Ch. 3, 4)

Advanced literature:

Kaniasty, K. (2005). Social support and traumatic stress. PTSD Research Quarterly, 16(2), http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/newsletters/research-quarterly/V16N2.pdf

Jakšić, N., Brajković, L., Ivezić, E., Topić, R. & Jakovljević, M (2012). The role of personality traits in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychiatria Danubina, 24(3), 256-66.

Positive outcomes of traumatic events: the phenomenon of posttraumatic growth (PTG)

Basic literature:

Tedeschi, R. & Calhoun, L. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15, 1-18. https://classblogdrjackson.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/tedeschi-calhoun-2004-posttraumatic-growth.pdf

Advanced literature:

Ogińska-Bulik, N. (2015). Posttraumatic growth following the death of someone close

the role of temperament and resiliency. Polish Journal of Applied Psychology 2014, 12 (3).

https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/pjap.2014.12.issue-3/pjap-2015-0013/pjap-2015-0013.xml

Ogińska-Bulik, N. (2015). Social support and negative and positive outcomes of experienced traumatic events in a group of male emergency service workers. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 21, 119–127.

Two faces of trauma among people living with HIV

Advanced literature (all articles can be found on Research Gate account of my supervisor):

Rzeszutek, M., Oniszczenko, W., Żebrowska, M., & Firląg-Burkacka, E. (2015). HIV infection duration, social support and the level of trauma symptoms in a sample of HIV positives Polish individuals. AIDS Care: Psychological, and Socio-medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV, 27, 363-369.

Rzeszutek, M. (2017). Social support and posttraumatic growth in a longitudinal study of people living with HIV: The mediating role of positive affect. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 8:1.

Rzeszutek M., & Gruszczyńska, E. (2018). Posttraumatic growth among people living with HIV: A systematic review. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 114, 81-91. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2018.09.006

Psychotherapy of PTSD and promoting PTG

Basic literature:

Ford, J. D., Grasso, D. J., Elhai, J. D., & Courtois, C. A. (2015). Posttraumatic stress disorder: Scientific and professional dimensions (2nd ed.). Elsevier Academic Press. (Ch. 7, 8, 9)

Advanced literature:

Foa, E.B., Keane, T.M., Friedman, M.J., & Cohen, J.A. (Eds.). (2009). Effective treatments for PTSD, Second Edition. New York, NY: Guilford (part IV – library).

Trauma and film + deadline for essays

Final Exam