Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.7
2.7
Journals
Healthcare
Special Issues
The Relationship Between Mental Health and Psychological Trauma
share announcement

The Relationship Between Mental Health and Psychological Trauma

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-being".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 1557

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jose I. Baile

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Health Sciences, Madrid Open University (Udima), Collado Villalba, 28400 Madrid, Spain
Interests: psychopathology; psychological assessment; treatment; clinical assessment; obesity; mental illness; eating disorders; heath habits; psychological trauma
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. María Frenzi Rabito

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Health Sciences, Madrid Open University (Udima), Collado Villalba, 28400 Madrid, Spain
Interests: psychopathology; psychological assessment; treatment; clinical assessment; EMDR; mental illness; eating disorders; dissociation; psychological trauma; PTSD

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Psychological trauma represents one of the most pressing public health challenges worldwide. Its impact extends far beyond the immediate aftermath of adverse experiences, shaping emotional functioning, cognitive processes, physical health and social wellbeing across the lifespan. Growing evidence demonstrates strong links between trauma exposure and a range of mental health outcomes, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, dissociation, and other disorders. Despite substantial advances, important gaps remain in understanding the mechanisms underlying these associations and in identifying effective, culturally sensitive, and scalable interventions.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue on “The Relationship Between Mental Health and Psychological Trauma”.

This Special Issue aims to advance multidisciplinary knowledge on how traumatic experiences affect mental health, integrating findings from clinical psychology, psychiatry, public health, neuroscience, and community-based research. The topic aligns closely with Healthcare’s mission to improve health outcomes across diverse populations through high-quality empirical work, innovative methodologies, and clinically relevant insights.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to): resilience and protective factors, trauma assessment, complex trauma, trauma-informed care, intervention development, digital tools for trauma treatment, and cross-cultural perspectives.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Jose I. Baile
Guest Editor

Dr. María Frenzi Rabito
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • psychological trauma
  • mental health
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • complex trauma (CPTSD)
  • trauma-informed interventions
  • trauma-focused therapy
  • resilience and protective factors
  • trauma assessment
  • stress-related disorders

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 708 KB  
Article
Prior Adversity and Current Functioning Difficulties Predict Likelihood of Meeting the Criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Scoring Above the Cutoff for Post-Traumatic Growth
by Lourdes P. Dale, Audrey N. Dana, Kourtney L. Schroeder, Laren M. Alexander, Erin R. Heath, Stephen W. Porges and Steven P. Cuffe
Healthcare 2026, 14(10), 1402; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14101402 - 20 May 2026
Viewed by 211
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Given that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) are separate constructs that can co-occur following adversity, we examined how prior adversity and current functioning difficulties may relate to the likelihood of meeting criteria for PTSD and scoring above the cutoff [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Given that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and post-traumatic growth (PTG) are separate constructs that can co-occur following adversity, we examined how prior adversity and current functioning difficulties may relate to the likelihood of meeting criteria for PTSD and scoring above the cutoff for PTG among individuals who reported being impacted by their prior adversity. Methods: Participants (n = 2112) in this international sample completed online measures assessing their adversity history, current functioning difficulties (i.e., negative world assumptions and autonomic reactivity), PTSD symptomatology, and PTG. Results: Chi square analyses suggested a trend toward an association between meeting criteria for PTSD and scoring above the cutoff for PTG, although not statistically significant (p = 0.061). Multivariable logistic regression analysis found that individuals most impacted by caregiver abuse and certain specific adversities (i.e., parent with a mental health problem, caregiver and non-caregiver sexual abuse, and being held captive) were more likely to meet the criteria for PTSD. Whereas those most impacted by life-threatening situations and the specific adversities of being impacted by a life-threatening illnesses or injury, were more likely to meet the criteria for PTG. However, the strongest predictor of the likelihood of PTSD was increased autonomic reactivity, and the strongest predictor of the likelihood of PTG was fewer negative world assumptions. Conclusions: Our research suggests the need to assess the perceived impact of adversity history, as well as the potential negative consequences of autonomic reactivity and negative world assumptions, as these may be associated with PTSD symptomatology and PTG. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Relationship Between Mental Health and Psychological Trauma)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 458 KB  
Article
Online Psychosocial Intervention for Nursing Students Who Experienced Intimate Partner Abuse in Türkiye
by Hacer Demirkol and Şeyda Dülgerler
Healthcare 2026, 14(8), 992; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14080992 - 9 Apr 2026
Viewed by 413
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is common among university students, including nursing students, and is linked to posttraumatic stress symptoms. Accessible online psychosocial interventions are needed to reduce trauma-related symptoms and support posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study examined the effects of an online [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is common among university students, including nursing students, and is linked to posttraumatic stress symptoms. Accessible online psychosocial interventions are needed to reduce trauma-related symptoms and support posttraumatic growth (PTG). This study examined the effects of an online psychosocial intervention grounded in social learning theory and cognitive behavioral therapy on posttraumatic stress symptoms and PTG among nursing students who experienced IPA in Türkiye. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among nursing students in Türkiye reporting IPA exposure. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 17) or a control group (n = 18). The intervention group received an eight-session online psychosocial program delivered individually. Assessments were conducted at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used, and partial eta-squared (ηp2) values were calculated. Results: The intervention group showed significant reductions in posttraumatic stress symptoms compared with the control group, with large effect sizes (p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.402–0.676). Furthermore, significant increases were observed in posttraumatic growth, indicating large and sustained effects over time (p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.515–0.773). Conclusions: The online psychosocial intervention effectively reduced posttraumatic stress symptoms and enhanced posttraumatic growth among nursing students who experienced IPA. However, results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size, and future studies with larger samples are warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Relationship Between Mental Health and Psychological Trauma)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 360 KB  
Article
Depression and Social Support Among Hospitalized Patients with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Prospective Cohort Study
by Badriya K. Al Shamari, Tulika Agarwal, Ayman El-Menyar, Ammar Al-Hassani, Ahammed Mekkodathil and Hassan Al-Thani
Healthcare 2026, 14(6), 779; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14060779 - 19 Mar 2026
Viewed by 467
Abstract
Background: Traumatic spinal injuries (TSI) are often associated with substantial physical burden and potential psychological consequences. Early detection of depressive symptoms may be important for improving quality of life during recovery. Despite the high prevalence of injury, unique sociocultural factors affecting mental [...] Read more.
Background: Traumatic spinal injuries (TSI) are often associated with substantial physical burden and potential psychological consequences. Early detection of depressive symptoms may be important for improving quality of life during recovery. Despite the high prevalence of injury, unique sociocultural factors affecting mental health, and the need to optimize long-term rehabilitation outcomes, there is a lack of longitudinal assessments of depression in TSI patients in this region of the MENA (Middle East and North Africa). This study aimed to examine the occurrence of depressive symptoms following TSI over a 3-month period. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess the occurrence of depression in TSI patients admitted between 2019 and 2022 at the Hamad Trauma Center. Conscious patients aged 18–65 years diagnosed with TSI were included. Perceived social support was assessed using the RAND Social Support Survey (Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey), a validated instrument measuring multiple dimensions of social support. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a widely validated self-administered screening tool for depressive symptoms, was utilized twice: at 2 weeks and at 3 months post-trauma to evaluate early-onset depressive symptoms and their persistence or resolution over time. Results: A total of 189 TSI were included. The cohort was predominantly young individuals. The most common mechanisms of injury included falls (42.1%) and motor vehicle crashes (31.1%). The mean Injury Severity Score was 16.5 ± 8.2 and the spine Abbreviated Injury Scale score was 2.4 ± 0.7. Injuries involved cervical (32.8%), thoracic (38.1%), and lumbo-sacral (6.9%) regions. A total of 32.6% underwent spinal surgery, and 9.0% experienced neurological deficits. Most patients reported emotional and informational support (69%), and 62% reported caregiving support. At 2 weeks post-trauma, patients demonstrated mild depressive symptoms, with a mean PHQ-9 score of 4.6 ± 5.1, which decreased to 2.5 ± 4.2 at 3 months. The proportion of patients screening positive for depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) decreased from 39.1% (52/133) at 2 weeks to 19.5% (26/133) at 3 months, corresponding to a 19.6% absolute reduction over the follow-up period. A subset of patients reported increased feelings of depression or hopelessness and sleep disturbances at three months compared with two weeks post-trauma. Conclusions: Patients with TSIs experience psychological distress in the early post-injury period, with a subset screening positive for depressive symptoms. Although depressive symptom scores declined over 3 months, continued psychological screening and follow-up care remain important components of comprehensive TSI management during recovery and rehabilitation. Our results should be considered cautiously because of gender-biased findings, single center data and potential attrition bias. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Relationship Between Mental Health and Psychological Trauma)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop