Impressie ISTSS congres

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) 40th Annual Meeting 

From Bench to Bedside and Beyond: Advancing Translational Science in Traumatic Stress Studies

Written by dr. Justina Pociūnaitė-Ott

The conference took place in Boston from September 25-28, 2024.

A Day of Global Collaboration: Paper-in-a-Day Workshop Success

On the eve of the conference, grief researchers dr. Lonneke Lenferink and dr. Justina Pociūnaitė-Ott from the University of Twente hosted an exhilarating “Paper in a Day” workshop. This unique event brought together participants from across the globe, including researchers from the USA, Australia, Israel, and The Netherlands. The atmosphere was not only productive but also deeply inspiring, as experts from diverse fields came together to address a crucial topic in grief research.

The focus of the workshop was on understanding how the pleasantness of daily social interactions impacts grief in individuals who have suffered traumatic bereavement. The data used in the workshop was sourced from a rich data archive created at the University of Twente, providing a rare opportunity to analyze daily life experiences rather than relying on traditional cross-sectional studies. This is a significant step forward in grief research, shifting the lens toward a more nuanced understanding of grief in the context of everyday social life.

The collaboration doesn’t end here—this dynamic group of researchers will continue their work, with plans to submit the manuscript to the Journal of Traumatic Stress for a special issue dedicated to the ISTSS 40th Annual Meeting.

Exciting Panel Discussions and Cutting-Edge Research

Following the workshop, the conference kicked off on Thursday, September 26th, where 1,400 traumatic stress researchers from across the globe gathered in Boston to share their knowledge and experiences.

One of the standout panel discussions focused on the use of psychedelics in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. While the experts expressed optimism about the future of this therapeutic approach, they also emphasized the need for more robust research evidence before it can be widely implemented.

During the conference, dr. Lonneke Lenferink led a symposium titled, “What Zooming Out and In on Grief-Related Disorders Teaches Us About Understanding and Treating Grief: Cutting-Edge Intense Longitudinal Data Methods.” The symposium featured several important studies:

• PhD Candidate at University of Twente, Lieke Nijborg, presented findings on the trajectories of posttraumatic stress, prolonged grief, and depression after traumatic loss following the MH17 disaster.

• Associate Professor at University of Groningen, dr. Maarten Eisma, showcased a systematic review exploring the reciprocal relationships between prolonged grief, depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress.

• Assistant Professor at University of Twente, dr. Lonneke Lenferink, shared a study on the accessibility and feasibility of measuring prolonged grief in daily life through ecological momentary assessment (EMA) studies.

• Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland, Australia, dr. Fiona Maccallum, presented a study using EMA to investigate the relationships between prolonged grief symptoms and avoidance in daily life.

The conference concluded with a keynote panel discussion on innovative approaches to improving the mental health of refugees and asylum-seekers. Experts from the US, Switzerland, and Germany shared their experiences in addressing the challenges of stigma, the implementation of trauma treatment strategies, and the hurdles the global community faces. They also provided insights into the future directions for research and practice in this important field.

We eagerly look forward to the next ISTSS meeting in Baltimore, scheduled for September 17-20, 2025.