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

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.

Trauma Blog

Offbeat: PTSD symptoms and disrupted blood pressure patterns in pregnancy
Posted on 02/09/2023 by Bublitz & Nillni
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in  the United States. In pregnancy, cardiovascular complications significant contribute to maternal morbidity and mortality. In this study, we explored whether PTSD symptoms contribute to increased risk for cardiovascular complications in pregnancy.
Preliminary evidence that partners benefit from an online couples intervention for PTSD
Posted on 02/09/2023 by Collins, Earle, Crenshaw, Monson, Fitzpatrick, & Wagner
PTSD is a debilitating disorder that negatively impacts not only the individual with PTSD, but also their loved ones. Couple HOPES (Helping Overcome PTSD and Enhance Relationships) is a new online, self-directed couple intervention that has been shown in preliminary studies to simultaneously reduce PTSD and enhance relationship satisfaction in individuals who likely have PTSD. This study finds preliminary evidence that Couple HOPES also improves the mental health and well-being of intimate partners.
How much do trauma-focused psychotherapies for PTSD improve interpersonal functioning?
Posted on 02/09/2023 by Swerdlow, Baker, Leifker, Straud, Rozek, & Sippel
People with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often report difficulties with “interpersonal functioning,” which we define as quality, satisfaction, and day-to-day functioning within close relationships, such as those with family, intimate partners, and/or friends. While it seems plausible that reductions in PTSD symptoms enable improved interpersonal functioning, we know surprisingly little about how well trauma-focused psychotherapies address concerns regarding functioning in close relationships. To address this question, we pre-registered and undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the extent to which trauma-focused psychotherapies improve interpersonal functioning.