@article{antonio_posttraumatic_2025,

title = {Posttraumatic stress disorder and Physiological Response in First Responders During Virtual Reality Exposure},

author = {H. António and C. Barros and M. Vieira de Castro and J. Oliveira and P. Gamito and S. Bouchard and R. J. Pinto},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105023876769&doi=10.1177%2F21522715251394917&partnerID=40&md5=c3c071b02ee24bd37789dfd06a936fbd},

doi = {10.1177/21522715251394917},

issn = {21522715 (ISSN)},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking},

abstract = {First responders (FRs) are routinely exposed to traumatic events, increasing risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study compared heart rate variability (HRV) and skin conductance level (SCL) between FRs with and without probable PTSD at baseline and during a virtual reality (VR) task. Eighty-four FRs completed questionnaires and physiological assessments. Participants with probable PTSD showed significantly lower baseline HRV, indicating reduced parasympathetic modulation. No group differences emerged for HRV during VR or for SCL at either point. The results confirm reduced HRV at rest in PTSD, but further work is needed to clarify why this difference was not observed during the task and why SCL showed no group effects. To advance understanding of these results, future studies should include larger samples, longer baselines, recovery phases, and clinical interviews. © 2025 Mary Ann Liebert, (NY) LLC.},

keywords = {adult, electrodermal response, Emergency Responders, female, first responders, Galvanic Skin Response, Heart Rate, human, Humans, male, Middle Aged, pathophysiology, physiological response, physiology, Post-Traumatic, posttraumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychology, questionnaire, rescue personnel, skin conductance, Stress Disorders, Surveys and Questionnaires, virtual reality, virtual reality exposure therapy, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{antonioPosttraumaticStressDisorder2025,

title = {Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Physiological Response in First Responders During Virtual Reality Exposure},

author = {H. António and C. Barros and M. Vieira de Castro and J. Oliveira and P. Gamito and S. Bouchard and R. J. Pinto},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105023876769?origin=resultslist},

doi = {10.1177/21522715251394917},

issn = {21522715 (ISSN)},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking},

volume = {28},

number = {12},

pages = {787–793},

publisher = {SAGE Publications Ltd},

abstract = {First responders (FRs) are routinely exposed to traumatic events, increasing risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study compared heart rate variability (HRV) and skin conductance level (SCL) between FRs with and without probable PTSD at baseline and during a virtual reality (VR) task. Eighty-four FRs completed questionnaires and physiological assessments. Participants with probable PTSD showed significantly lower baseline HRV, indicating reduced parasympathetic modulation. No group differences emerged for HRV during VR or for SCL at either point. The results confirm reduced HRV at rest in PTSD, but further work is needed to clarify why this difference was not observed during the task and why SCL showed no group effects. To advance understanding of these results, future studies should include larger samples, longer baselines, recovery phases, and clinical interviews. © 2025 SAGE Publications.},

keywords = {adult, electrodermal response, Emergency Responders, female, first responders, Galvanic Skin Response, Heart Rate, human, Humans, male, Middle Aged, pathophysiology, physiological response, physiology, Post-Traumatic, posttraumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychology, questionnaire, rescue personnel, skin conductance, Stress Disorders, Surveys and Questionnaires, virtual reality, virtual reality exposure therapy, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{antonioPosttraumaticStressDisorder2025a,

title = {Posttraumatic stress disorder and Physiological Response in First Responders During Virtual Reality Exposure},

author = {H. António and C. Barros and M. Vieira de Castro and J. Oliveira and P. Gamito and S. Bouchard and R. J. Pinto},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105023876769&doi=10.1177%2F21522715251394917&partnerID=40&md5=c3c071b02ee24bd37789dfd06a936fbd},

doi = {10.1177/21522715251394917},

issn = {21522715 (ISSN)},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking},

abstract = {First responders (FRs) are routinely exposed to traumatic events, increasing risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study compared heart rate variability (HRV) and skin conductance level (SCL) between FRs with and without probable PTSD at baseline and during a virtual reality (VR) task. Eighty-four FRs completed questionnaires and physiological assessments. Participants with probable PTSD showed significantly lower baseline HRV, indicating reduced parasympathetic modulation. No group differences emerged for HRV during VR or for SCL at either point. The results confirm reduced HRV at rest in PTSD, but further work is needed to clarify why this difference was not observed during the task and why SCL showed no group effects. To advance understanding of these results, future studies should include larger samples, longer baselines, recovery phases, and clinical interviews. © 2025 Mary Ann Liebert, (NY) LLC.},

keywords = {adult, electrodermal response, Emergency Responders, female, first responders, Galvanic Skin Response, Heart Rate, human, Humans, male, Middle Aged, pathophysiology, physiological response, physiology, Post-Traumatic, posttraumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychology, questionnaire, rescue personnel, skin conductance, Stress Disorders, Surveys and Questionnaires, virtual reality, virtual reality exposure therapy, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{belleville_efficacy_2023,

title = {Efficacy of a Therapist-Assisted Self-Help Internet-Based Intervention Targeting PTSD, Depression, and Insomnia Symptoms After a Disaster: A Randomized Controlled Trial},

author = {G. Belleville and M. -C. Ouellet and V. Békés and J. Lebel and C. M. Morin and S. Bouchard and S. Guay and N. Bergeron and S. Ghosh and T. Campbell and F. P. Macmaster},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85140981202&doi=10.1016%2fj.beth.2022.08.004&partnerID=40&md5=261383919bbdaa149ac0eeb6d3317fc0},

doi = {10.1016/j.beth.2022.08.004},

issn = {00057894 (ISSN)},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Behavior Therapy},

volume = {54},

number = {2},

pages = {230–246},

publisher = {Elsevier Inc.},

abstract = {This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of an online CBT intervention with limited therapist contact targeting a range of posttraumatic symptoms among evacuees from the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires. One hundred and thirty-six residents of Fort McMurray who reported either moderate PTSD symptoms (PCL-5 ≥ 23) or mild PTSD symptoms (PCL-5 ≥ 10) with moderate depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) or subthreshold insomnia symptoms (ISI ≥ 8) were randomized either to a treatment (n = 69) or a waitlist condition (n = 67). Participants were on average 45 years old, and mostly identified as White (82%) and as women (76%). Primary outcomes were PTSD, depression, and insomnia symptoms. Secondary outcomes were anxiety symptoms and disability. Significant Assessment Time × Treatment Condition interactions were observed on all outcomes, indicating that access to the treatment led to a decrease in posttraumatic stress (F[1,117.04] = 12.128},

note = {Publisher: Elsevier Inc.},

keywords = {adult, Anxiety, article, clinical effectiveness, clinical feature, cognitive behavioral therapy, controlled study, Depression, disaster, Disasters, disease severity, e-mental health, female, human, Humans, insomnia, Internet-Based Intervention, major clinical study, male, Middle Aged, natural disaster, physical disability, Post-Traumatic, posttraumatic stress disorder, psychotherapist, PTSD, randomized controlled trial, risk factor, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Stress Disorders, telepsychotherapy, treatment outcome, wildfire},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{bellevilleEfficacyTherapistAssistedSelfHelp2023,

title = {Efficacy of a Therapist-Assisted Self-Help Internet-Based Intervention Targeting PTSD, Depression, and Insomnia Symptoms After a Disaster: A Randomized Controlled Trial},

author = {G. Belleville and M. -C. Ouellet and V. Békés and J. Lebel and C. M. Morin and S. Bouchard and S. Guay and N. Bergeron and S. Ghosh and T. Campbell and F. P. Macmaster},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85140981202&doi=10.1016%2fj.beth.2022.08.004&partnerID=40&md5=261383919bbdaa149ac0eeb6d3317fc0},

doi = {10.1016/j.beth.2022.08.004},

issn = {00057894 (ISSN)},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Behavior Therapy},

volume = {54},

number = {2},

pages = {230–246},

publisher = {Elsevier Inc.},

abstract = {This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of an online CBT intervention with limited therapist contact targeting a range of posttraumatic symptoms among evacuees from the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires. One hundred and thirty-six residents of Fort McMurray who reported either moderate PTSD symptoms (PCL-5 ≥ 23) or mild PTSD symptoms (PCL-5 ≥ 10) with moderate depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) or subthreshold insomnia symptoms (ISI ≥ 8) were randomized either to a treatment (n = 69) or a waitlist condition (n = 67). Participants were on average 45 years old, and mostly identified as White (82%) and as women (76%). Primary outcomes were PTSD, depression, and insomnia symptoms. Secondary outcomes were anxiety symptoms and disability. Significant Assessment Time × Treatment Condition interactions were observed on all outcomes, indicating that access to the treatment led to a decrease in posttraumatic stress (F[1,117.04] = 12.128},

keywords = {adult, Anxiety, article, clinical effectiveness, clinical feature, cognitive behavioral therapy, controlled study, Depression, disaster, Disasters, disease severity, e-mental health, female, human, Humans, insomnia, Internet-Based Intervention, major clinical study, male, Middle Aged, natural disaster, physical disability, Post-Traumatic, posttraumatic stress disorder, psychotherapist, PTSD, randomized controlled trial, risk factor, Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, Stress Disorders, telepsychotherapy, treatment outcome, wildfire},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{binet_portrait_2021,

title = {A Portrait of Mental Health Services Utilization and Perceived Barriers to Care in Men and Women Evacuated During the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfires},

author = {É. Binet and M. -C. Ouellet and J. Lebel and V. Békés and C. M. Morin and N. Bergeron and T. Campbell and S. Ghosh and S. Bouchard and S. Guay and F. P. MacMaster and G. Belleville},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85101819468&doi=10.1007%2fs10488-021-01114-w&partnerID=40&md5=4130f3aeaaf2d3894820e7fce46e67f0},

doi = {10.1007/s10488-021-01114-w},

issn = {0894587X (ISSN)},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research},

volume = {48},

number = {6},

pages = {1006–1018},

publisher = {Springer},

abstract = {This study examines the influence of gender on mental health services utilization and on perceived barriers to treatment one year after the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires. Data was collected through a phone survey from May to July 2017 (N = 1510). Participants were English-speaking evacuees aged 18 and older. Mental health services utilization and barriers to mental health care were assessed with the Perceived Need for Care questionnaire. Probable diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and insomnia were assessed with validated self-report questionnaires. Multiple logistic regressions confirmed that gender was a significant predictor of services utilization, after controlling for associated sociodemographic variables and presence of probable diagnoses. Women were respectively 1.50, 1.55 and 1.86 times more likely than men to receive information, medication and psychological help. Self-reliance was the most frequently reported reason for not receiving help, and motivational barriers, such as pessimism and stigma, were reported in a higher proportion than structural barriers, including nonresponse and finance. No significant gender differences were found in the types of perceived barriers to services. Among the Fort McMurray fire evacuees, mental health services utilization was similar to other studies on natural disaster victims, and higher in women than in men. Efforts to increase services utilization in natural disaster victims should focus on motivational barriers and offering treatments fostering people’s autonomy, such as online treatments. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC part of Springer Nature.},

note = {Publisher: Springer},

keywords = {Depression, female, Gender, health care delivery, Health Services Accessibility, human, Humans, insomnia, male, mental health service, Mental Health Services, Mental health services utilization, natural disaster, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, patient attitude, Post-Traumatic, posttraumatic stress disorder, Stress Disorders, wildfire, Wildfires},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{belleville_psychological_2021,

title = {Psychological Symptoms Among Evacuees From the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfires: A Population-Based Survey One Year Later},

author = {G. Belleville and M. -C. Ouellet and J. Lebel and S. Ghosh and C. M. Morin and S. Bouchard and S. Guay and N. Bergeron and T. Campbell and F. P. MacMaster},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85105988601&doi=10.3389%2ffpubh.2021.655357&partnerID=40&md5=4971ac1ba23f88f8b6fa132caed4785d},

doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2021.655357},

issn = {22962565},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},

volume = {9},

publisher = {Frontiers Media S.A.},

abstract = {Background: The 2016 wildfires in Fort McMurray (Alberta, Canada) led to a massive displacement of 88,000 people and destroyed 2,400 homes. Although no direct human fatality resulted, many individuals feared for their lives or those of their loved ones. Objectives: (1) To estimate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress, major depressive, insomnia, generalized anxiety, and substance use disorders in the adult population of Fort McMurray 1 year after the evacuation; (2) To identify pre-, peri-, and post-disaster correlates of mental health disorders. Methods: A phone survey using random digit sampling was used to survey evacuees. A total of 1,510 evacuees (response rate = 40.2%, 55.5% women, mean age = 44.11},

note = {Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.},

keywords = {adult, Alberta, Anxiety disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorder, female, human, Humans, Major, major depression, male, Post-Traumatic, posttraumatic stress disorder, Stress Disorders, wildfire, Wildfires},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{binetPortraitMentalHealth2021,

title = {A Portrait of Mental Health Services Utilization and Perceived Barriers to Care in Men and Women Evacuated During the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfires},

author = {É. Binet and M. -C. Ouellet and J. Lebel and V. Békés and C. M. Morin and N. Bergeron and T. Campbell and S. Ghosh and S. Bouchard and S. Guay and F. P. MacMaster and G. Belleville},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85101819468&doi=10.1007%2fs10488-021-01114-w&partnerID=40&md5=4130f3aeaaf2d3894820e7fce46e67f0},

doi = {10.1007/s10488-021-01114-w},

issn = {0894587X (ISSN)},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research},

volume = {48},

number = {6},

pages = {1006–1018},

publisher = {Springer},

abstract = {This study examines the influence of gender on mental health services utilization and on perceived barriers to treatment one year after the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires. Data was collected through a phone survey from May to July 2017 (N = 1510). Participants were English-speaking evacuees aged 18 and older. Mental health services utilization and barriers to mental health care were assessed with the Perceived Need for Care questionnaire. Probable diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and insomnia were assessed with validated self-report questionnaires. Multiple logistic regressions confirmed that gender was a significant predictor of services utilization, after controlling for associated sociodemographic variables and presence of probable diagnoses. Women were respectively 1.50, 1.55 and 1.86 times more likely than men to receive information, medication and psychological help. Self-reliance was the most frequently reported reason for not receiving help, and motivational barriers, such as pessimism and stigma, were reported in a higher proportion than structural barriers, including nonresponse and finance. No significant gender differences were found in the types of perceived barriers to services. Among the Fort McMurray fire evacuees, mental health services utilization was similar to other studies on natural disaster victims, and higher in women than in men. Efforts to increase services utilization in natural disaster victims should focus on motivational barriers and offering treatments fostering people’s autonomy, such as online treatments. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC part of Springer Nature.},

keywords = {Depression, female, Gender, health care delivery, Health Services Accessibility, human, Humans, insomnia, male, mental health service, Mental Health Services, Mental health services utilization, natural disaster, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, patient attitude, Post-Traumatic, posttraumatic stress disorder, Stress Disorders, wildfire, Wildfires},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{loranger_validating_2017,

title = {Validating a Virtual Environment for Sexual Assault Victims},

author = {C. Loranger and S. Bouchard},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85018587270&doi=10.1002%2fjts.22170&partnerID=40&md5=d24c8415c38b310e673f7579441aacd4},

doi = {10.1002/jts.22170},

issn = {08949867},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Traumatic Stress},

volume = {30},

number = {2},

pages = {157–165},

publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Inc.},

abstract = {Virtual reality has shown promising results in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for some traumatic experiences, but sexual assault has been understudied. One important question to address is the relevance and safety of a virtual environment (VE) allowing patients to be progressively exposed to a sexual assault scenario. The aim of this study was to validate such a VE. Thirty women (victims and nonvictims of sexual assault) were randomly assigned in a counter-balanced order to 2 immersions in a virtual bar: a control scenario where the encounter with the aggressor does not lead to sexual assault and an experimental scenario where the participant is assaulted. Immersions were conducted in a fully immersive 6-wall system. Questionnaires were administered and psychophysiological measures were recorded. No adverse events were reported during or after the immersions. Repeated-measures analyses of covariance revealed a significant time effect and significantly more anxiety (Cohen's f = 0.41, large effect size) and negative affect (Cohen's f = 0.35, medium effect size) in the experimental scenario than in the control condition. Given the safety of the scenario and its potential to induce emotions, it can be further tested to document its usefulness with sexual assault victims who suffer from PTSD. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies},

note = {Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Inc.},

keywords = {Adolescent, adult, analysis of variance, case control study, Case-Control Studies, crime victim, Crime Victims, female, human, Humans, Post-Traumatic, posttraumatic stress disorder, procedures, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, psychological rating scale, psychology, questionnaire, Random Allocation, randomization, Sex Offenses, sexual crime, Stress Disorders, Surveys and Questionnaires, validation study, virtual reality exposure therapy, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{lorangerValidatingVirtualEnvironment2017,

title = {Validating a Virtual Environment for Sexual Assault Victims},

author = {C. Loranger and S. Bouchard},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85018587270&doi=10.1002%2fjts.22170&partnerID=40&md5=d24c8415c38b310e673f7579441aacd4},

doi = {10.1002/jts.22170},

issn = {08949867},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Traumatic Stress},

volume = {30},

number = {2},

pages = {157–165},

publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Inc.},

abstract = {Virtual reality has shown promising results in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for some traumatic experiences, but sexual assault has been understudied. One important question to address is the relevance and safety of a virtual environment (VE) allowing patients to be progressively exposed to a sexual assault scenario. The aim of this study was to validate such a VE. Thirty women (victims and nonvictims of sexual assault) were randomly assigned in a counter-balanced order to 2 immersions in a virtual bar: a control scenario where the encounter with the aggressor does not lead to sexual assault and an experimental scenario where the participant is assaulted. Immersions were conducted in a fully immersive 6-wall system. Questionnaires were administered and psychophysiological measures were recorded. No adverse events were reported during or after the immersions. Repeated-measures analyses of covariance revealed a significant time effect and significantly more anxiety (Cohen's f = 0.41, large effect size) and negative affect (Cohen's f = 0.35, medium effect size) in the experimental scenario than in the control condition. Given the safety of the scenario and its potential to induce emotions, it can be further tested to document its usefulness with sexual assault victims who suffer from PTSD. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies},

keywords = {Adolescent, adult, analysis of variance, case control study, Case-Control Studies, crime victim, Crime Victims, female, human, Humans, Post-Traumatic, posttraumatic stress disorder, procedures, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, psychological rating scale, psychology, questionnaire, Random Allocation, randomization, Sex Offenses, sexual crime, Stress Disorders, Surveys and Questionnaires, validation study, virtual reality exposure therapy, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}