Predictors and mental health outcomes of potentially traumatic event exposure

Abstract

The aims were two-fold: to examine prevalence and correlates of lifetime potentially traumatic event (PTE) exposure and to explore the relationships between PTE exposure and mental health outcomes (i.e., trauma related distress, alcohol use quantity and frequency, depression symptoms, and anxiety symptoms) within a large sample of college freshmen. 6120 participants, consisting of three cohorts of incoming freshman at a large southeastern university, completed an online assessment battery measuring a multitude of factors including PTEs, personality, relationships (i.e., parental and peer), and mental health. The majority (81.8%) of participants endorsed experiencing at least one PTE within their lifetime and 39.0% reported at least one interpersonal trauma (i.e., physical assault, sexual assault, other unwanted or uncomfortable sexual situation). The average number of PTE categories endorsed was 1.71 (SD=1.30), and 8.7% of participants reported experiencing four or more separate PTE categories pre-college entry. Female gender and peer deviance were consistently associated with PTE exposure and symptoms of psychopathology. Furthermore, a history of interpersonal PTE exposure was associated with increased alcohol use (i.e., frequency and quantity), trauma related distress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. The data demonstrate high prevalence PTE exposure among young adults and the clinical significance of a PTE history.

Prevalence and predictors of PTSD among a college sample

“…3,4 Current prevalence rates of PTE exposure and PTSD align with past studies of college students. 3,4,31,36 The findings also align with trends previously noted for PTE exposure and PTSD among females 32 , where the prevalence of PTSD in females is greater than that of males. 8,12,15,37 However, a recent study found that the effect of sex diminishes when other risk factors (e.g., pre-existing disorders, family history, personality features, coping strategies) are taken into consideration.…”

“…12 The current finding that being female is a significant correlate of probable PTSD after controlling for several other risk factors in young adults adds to our understanding of sex differences in risk and the growing literature on risk of PTSD in this age group. 36 Findings that depressive symptoms, interpersonal trauma, and total SLEs were associated with probable PTSD at the start of college align with previous reports from both adolescent and adult samples. Specifically, research on disorders comorbid with PTSD has shown that among youth with major depression, rates of comorbid PTSD range from 24-32%.…”

“…8 In adults, major depression is also predictive of PTSD even after controlling for multiple other risk factors. 12 The findings of the current study align with the findings from extant research 36 , albeit using a new cohort of students and a stronger PTSD measure, showing that interpersonal PTEs are associated with increased risk of trauma-related distress in college students compared to accidental trauma. Not only does the current study show the increased risk that comes with interpersonal PTE, but also shows that in this age group, interpersonal trauma and total SLEs predict probable PTSD.…”

A behavioral genetic investigation of conceptualizations of resilience in a female twin sample

“…Exposure to stressful and traumatic life events has been associated with negative psychological outcomes, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD; Overstreet, Berenz, Kendler, Dick, & Amstadter, 2017; Pietrzak, Goldstein, Southwick, & Grant, 2011), though many exposed to such events demonstrate resilience. The field has, in more recent years, shown an appreciation of the study of resilient phenotypes.…”

Expressive Writing: A Self-Care Intervention for First Year Undergraduates

“…The prevalence of psychological disorders is greater among university students than among their community counterparts (Hussain, Guppy, Robertson, & Temple, 2013). In a large sample of college freshmen, 81.8% reported experiencing at least one potentially traumatic event (PTE) and 8.7% reported experiencing four or more PTEs prior to entering college (Overstreet, Berenz, Kendler, Dick, & Amstadter, 2017). Moreover, a history of interpersonal PTE (e.g., physical assault, sexual assault, unwanted sexual situation) was associated with trauma related distress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and increased alcohol use (Overstreet et al, 2017).…”