Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress

This book examines the latest developments in theory and research in post-traumatic stress disorder. Drawing on the literature exploring personality and social psychology, it presents an integrative model of psychosocial factors affecting adjustment following traumatic stressors. It serves as an innovative contribution to the area as well as an introductory text. A main feature of the book is a series of Normal and Abnormal Reactions to Trauma.

Assessment and Measurement.

Types of Trauma: From Natural Disaster to Political Violence.

Theoretical Paradigms and Perspectives.

Evidence for an Integrative Model of Adjustment.

Intervention and Treatment.

Conclusions.

References.

Index.

Stephen Joseph, PhD, is Professor of Psychology, Health and Social Care at The University of Nottingham, where he is codirector of the Centre for Trauma, Resilience and Growth and an Honorary Consultant Psychologist in Psychotherapy at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

Ruth Williams is the author of Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress: A Psychosocial Perspective on PTSD and Treatment, published by Wiley.

William Yule is the author of Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress: A Psychosocial Perspective on PTSD and Treatment, published by Wiley.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has received considerable attention over the last few years, yet there is still ongoing debate concerning its causes and possible treatment. Students, practitioners and researchers in health psychology, clinical psychology, social work, psychiatry, and counselling will appreciate this interesting synthesis of concepts and knowledge in post-traumatic stress studies. Offering an innovative contribution to the field, the authors show that post-traumatic stress reactions are not caused by the traumatic event alone, but that psychosocial factors play a vital part for individual outcomes. An understanding of the role of these psychosocial factors in the development of PTSD will enable clinicians to improve therapeutic intervention. This book provides that understanding by drawing on existing theories to present an integrative model of psychosocial adaptation to trauma. This model can then be applied to understanding and treating reactions to a broad range of stressful events. Case studies throughout the book help illustrate the theoretical issues as well as the treatment aspects.