This study extended research on the intersection of art and health by exploring the role of tattoos in response to breast cancer. It aimed to enhance knowledge regarding the choice of tattooing in how people process their breast cancer and how that impacts their survivorship experiences. Nine women participated in this qualitative study, ranging in age from 42 to 65 years old. At the time of the interview, seven participants had at least one tattoo in response to their diagnosis, with four of these women having more than one and three women planning on getting additional tattoos in response to their diagnosis. From the analysis, an overarching meta-theme, Inked Agency , emerged along with key themes under that meta-theme: It was for me, about me; Creating Spaces in which to Make Choices; and Commemorating, Celebrating, and Remembering . These results provide support for the use of tattooing, or tattoo design, as having potential therapeutic value for people who survive cancer.
On February 6, 2023, two major earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6 struck Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. Survivors of these earthquakes are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. This study aims to evaluate the post-traumatic stress symptoms, depressive symptoms, and associated factors among survivors one year after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. This descriptive study was conducted with 451 earthquake survivors in 11 provinces affected by the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes between March 20 and May 30, 2024. The data were collected using the “Demographic Form” and the “Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale.” Earthquake survivors exhibited above-average levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms, which were accompanied by symptoms of depression. It was found that demographic and earthquake exposure characteristics were significantly associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms. Demographic and earthquake exposure characteristics explained 35.6% of the variance in post-traumatic stress symptoms. In light of these results, earthquake survivors should be monitored for post-traumatic stress symptoms and depression not only in the short term but also in the long term by mental health professionals.
Introduction Suicidal behaviour among university students is shaped by interacting psychological, relational, cultural, and contextual stressors. However, limited research has examined how family expectations, economic strain, academic disruption, environmental insecurity, and barriers to culturally appropriate mental-health support shape suicidal ideation among students in Mexican border-region contexts. Therefore, this study explored psychosocial and contextual stressors associated with suicidal ideation among university students with lived experience of suicidal thoughts or attempts at a Mexican border university. Methods This qualitative study used in-depth interviews to explore the lived experiences of nine university students at the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez (UACJ), Mexico, who reported prior suicidal ideation or suicide attempts. Participants included five men and four women aged 18–30 years ( M = 25.22, SD = 4.66). Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis supported by ATLAS.ti 24. Results Three major themes were identified: psychological pain, social disconnection, and contextual burdens. Psychological pain reflected familial emotional burdens, perceived burdensomeness, unresolved grief, and exposure to suicide within close relationships. Social disconnection involved limited empathetic support from family, peers, and teachers, as well as invalidating responses to help-seeking. Contextual burdens included study–life imbalance, pandemic and environmental disruptions, and culturally misaligned responses to mental-health concerns. Conclusion Suicidal ideation among participants was not described as an isolated individual problem, but as an experience shaped by emotional pain, weakened belongingness, family pressures, academic demands, cultural silencing, and structural stressors. Findings support the need for university-based suicide prevention strategies that combine early identification, culturally responsive support, family-sensitive psychoeducation, and accessible mental-health services.
While posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be attributed to various index traumas, sudden accidental death is the leading cause of PTSD. Sudden accidental death of a loved one can also lead to bereavement and/or prolonged grief disorder. Evidence shows that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can mitigate PTSD symptoms. Additionally, supported education (SEd) can assist college students with mental health conditions (MHCs) in completing their education. This case series investigated an integrated CBT and SEd program for PTSD aimed at reducing symptoms and enhancing educational outcomes for college students affected by sudden accidental death-induced PTSD. Both participants met diagnostic criteria for PTSD and demonstrated improvement throughout the intervention. The study discusses the implications of employing integrated CBT treatment for students coping with sudden accidental death-related PTSD, including bereavement and feelings of guilt.
Hypnagogic and hypnopompic (H&H) events are sleep phenomena which occur at the borders of consciousness between falling asleep and beginning to wake. There is limited qualitative exploration of the nature of these experiences, and no studies have yet been conducted specifically with accident survivors who go on to experience H&H events. The current paper uses Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to examine the unusual sleep events and sensory dreams experienced by a female survivor of a fall from height, alongside reflections on the H&H experiences of the author, who survived a similar fall. Unusual sleep events were found to be part of the process of sense-making when recovering from a traumatic accident. The experience of dwelling in liminal states – both physically and mentally – at different points in the recovery journey, and the differences in physicality between dream and waking states following serious injury are also discussed.
