Depressive features in Holocaust survivors with post-traumatic stress disorder

J Trauma Stress. 1994 Oct;7(4):699-704. doi: 10.1007/BF02103016.

Abstract

The present study was designed to explore several aspects of depressive phenomenology, including current symptoms, dependency (anaclitic) and self-criticism (introjective) themes, and issues of self-efficacy, in Holocaust survivors with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Depressive Subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ) were administered to 23 Holocaust survivors and 18 demographically-matched controls. Holocaust survivors with PTSD scored significantly higher on the SCL-90 depression scale, and portrayed more self-criticism on the DEQ, than Holocaust survivors without PTSD and demographically-matched non-exposed subjects. The data suggest that depressive symptoms in individuals who have been severely traumatized are more severe when associated with a concurrent PTSD. Furthermore, groups suffering different types of trauma may show similarities in psychological dimensions of depression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chronic Disease
  • Dependency, Psychological
  • Depressive Disorder / complications
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology*
  • Female
  • Guilt
  • Holocaust / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Interview, Psychological
  • Jews / psychology*
  • Male
  • Matched-Pair Analysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Self Concept
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / complications*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Survivors / psychology