ISTSS - International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies

Bringing together clinicians and researchers from around the world to advocate for the field of traumatic stress.

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Healing Trauma Together

The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies is dedicated to sharing information about the effects of trauma and the discovery and dissemination of knowledge about policy, program and service initiatives that seek to reduce traumatic stressors and their immediate and long-term consequences. ISTSS is an international interdisciplinary professional organization that promotes advancement and exchange of knowledge about traumatic stress.

Register Now for ISTSS 2023

Come meet new friends and colleagues from around the world at the ISTSS 39th Annual Meeting! This year’s conference will focus on scalable strategies and technological innovations to address the impact of traumatic stress on mental and physical health.

Save the date to join us September 25-28, 2024, for the ISTSS 40th Annual Meeting—taking place in person at Boston Marriott Copley Place in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Friday Fast Facts Series

Our Friday Fast Facts series, introduced in 2020, chooses a few months each year, focuses on one single topic, and releases small-bite learning products each Friday during the month. Watch for our next Friday Fast Facts series in April on the topic of Gun Violence, or check out past topics such as Climate Change and Trauma, Refugee Trauma and Mental Health, or Substance Use and Traumatic Stress.

Grow Your Professional Network by Volunteering with ISTSS

Volunteers play an integral role in ISTSS' day-to-day activities and form a broad professional network. Interested in adding an ISTSS volunteer position to your CV? Check out our open volunteer positions.

Join ISTSS or renew your membership to apply.

Predicting long-term outcomes of Iraq War deployment

Posted on 09/09/2023 by Vasterling et al.

In a large cohort of US Army personnel and veterans that were assessed before and after deployment to the Iraq War and at a long-term follow-up assessment, we examined predictors of individual PTSD symptom courses. Results suggested that in addition to unmodifiable risk factors (e.g., stress exposure), there are potentially modifiable factors (e.g., social support and visual memory processes) that may be a target for preventive efforts.

A Mother’s Pain: Vicarious Traumatic Stress After Race-Related Violence

Posted on 09/09/2023 by Printz & Milan

Have you ever wondered how people are impacted by the mass publicization of race-related violence? Our study found that one particular group may be at risk for vicarious trauma, while another may experience a decrease in trauma symptoms. Learn more in our blog.

A new perspective on the brain basis of PTSD in Veterans involves alterations in both fear and anxiety networks

Posted on 09/01/2023 by Feola & Blackford

PTSD is a common and disabling disorder that impacts many Veterans. This blog discusses our new study examining how Veterans with PTSD respond to threat in fear and anxiety brain networks. The study findings extend the current understanding of the brain basis of PTSD to include both fear and anxiety networks and highlight new treatment targets.

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Healing Trauma Together

Register Now for ISTSS 2023

Friday Fast Facts Series

Grow Your Professional Network by Volunteering with ISTSS

Trauma Blog