Advancements in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research: The Emerging Challenges, Insights, and Coping Strategies

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
Interests: PTSD; psychotherapy mechanisms and outcomes; mind–body interventions; co-morbid somatic and psychiatric conditions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite decades of research, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains a pressing mental health challenge. Emerging global crises, shifting social dynamics, and technological change have highlighted the need to revisit PTSD research through new lenses. While its clinical manifestations have long been recognized, advances in neuroscience, diagnostics, psychotraumatology, and clinical practice are reshaping our understanding of how PTSD develops, how it persists, and how individuals cope.

In recent years, we have gained valuable insights into the neurobiological, emotional, social, and physiological mechanisms underlying PTSD. Yet alongside these advancements, new challenges have arisen: identifying biomarkers and precision medicine approaches, addressing comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and depression, understanding cultural and contextual factors, and ensuring equitable access to effective interventions. At the same time, innovative coping strategies and therapeutic modalities—ranging from trauma-informed psychotherapies to digital health tools—are expanding the possibilities for prevention and treatment.

This Special Issue Advancements in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research: The Emerging Challenges, Insights, and Coping Strategies calls for submissions that explore the evolving landscape of PTSD research and practice. We welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following:

  • Novel biological, cognitive, and social mechanisms of PTSD;
  • Advances in assessment, diagnosis, and measurement tools;
  • Interventions spanning psychotherapy, pharmacology, and digital innovation;
  • Coping and resilience strategies across diverse populations;
  • Cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural perspectives on trauma and recovery.

Through this Special Issue, we aim to highlight cutting-edge findings while also reflecting on the challenges that shape the future of PTSD research and clinical care.

Dr. Maja Bergman
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • trauma
  • PTSD
  • traumatic stress

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

13 pages, 616 KB  
Article
The Effect of Psychological First Aid Interventions on Self-Efficacy and Professional Quality of Life Among Physicians: A Quasi-Experimental Study
by Othman A. Alfuqaha, Uday M. Al-Masarwah, Fatima M. Al Talahin and Rihan Thaher Altarawneh
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2025, 15(12), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15120245 - 29 Nov 2025
Viewed by 784
Abstract
(1) Background: Psychological first aid (PFA) interventions are designed to tackle the effects of traumatic events on individuals to help them reach stability. (2) Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study. A total of 162 physicians in Jordan were conveniently selected between 28 November [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Psychological first aid (PFA) interventions are designed to tackle the effects of traumatic events on individuals to help them reach stability. (2) Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study. A total of 162 physicians in Jordan were conveniently selected between 28 November and 15 December 2023. We identified 82 participants by a simple random procedure to represent the control group = 42 and the experimental group = 40. The PFA intervention course was initiated from 18 December 2023 to 21 February 2024. (3) Results: We found significant differences (p < 0.001) between the control group and the experimental group based on knowledge, skills, and attitudes in terms of PFA; self-efficacy (SE); and professional quality of life (ProQoL). The experimental group demonstrated higher knowledge, skills, and attitudes in terms of PFA and improved SE compared to the control group. Physicians, before undergoing the PFA intervention and strategy training course, exhibited moderate levels of compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout (BO), and secondary traumatic stress (STS). After the training course, both BO (M = 3.14, t = 3.44, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.56) and STS (M = 2.01, t = 4.25, p = 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.65) decreased significantly in the experimental group, while there was no significant effect on CS (M = 4.29, t = 1.56, p = 0.12, Cohen’s d = 0.21) as a result of the PFA training course in the experimental group. (4) Conclusions: The PFA training course improves SE and ProQoL and increases knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward PFA. We recommend implementing PFA training courses for other healthcare professionals. Full article
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