PTSD and depression construct: prevalence and predictors of co-occurrence in a South Lebanese civilian sample

Abstract

BackgroundArmed conflict, occupation, and political and economic instability that are particularly experienced by the civilian Lebanese population of South Lebanon would almost inevitably affect these individuals psychologically. Therefore, identifying predictors of co-occurring mental disorders is paramount to sound assessment and intervention planning.ObjectiveThis study aims to determine the prevalence and predictors of co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in a post-war population from South Lebanon.MethodA total of 991 citizens from 10 villages were interviewed using a cross-sectional design through random sampling. The prevalence of PTSD, MDD, or both was 23.4%. To identify predictors of PTSD and depression co-occurrence, multinomial logistic regression was used. Participants were divided into four groups (participants with no PTSD or depression, participants with PTSD only, participants with depression only, and participants with PTSD–depression comorbidity).ResultsAmong the significant predictors of PTSD–depression co-occurrence, female gender, health problems, social life events, and witnessed traumatic events were most consistently found. Additionally, employment and educational status, as well as social support, were found to significantly predict co-occurrence.ConclusionsResults reveal the distinct risk and protective factors that characterize the PTSD-depression profile. These findings will hopefully assist in the development of interventions that are sensitive to individuals’ psychosocial milieu.Highlights of the articleIdentifying predictors of PTSD-depression co-occurrence is paramount to sound assessment and intervention planning.Comorbidity was most strongly predicted by female gender, health problems, social life events, and HTQ witnessed events.Unemployment, having below secondary education, and low social support were also found to predict comorbidity.The substantial overlap in the risk factor profiles that were observed may suggest that PTSD and MDD co-occurrence represent a single general construct derived from traumatic stress.

Post-traumatic stress disorder in adult victims of cluster munitions in Lebanon: a 10-year longitudinal study

“…A 2016 study has shown a PTSD prevalence of 23.4% in a survey of a southern Lebanese civilian sample. 20 The striking difference in PTSD prevalence between studies within the same year can be attributed to the cluster munition injury that the participants of our study endured.…”

“…Other studies have also shown that unemployment and low functionality are associated with lower mental health conditions, namely PTSD. 20 56 We believe that the economic costs of PTSD are attributable to lost work productivity; the severity of the injury and the associated functional impairment definitely play a role.…”

ICD‐11 PTSD and complex PTSD amongst Syrian refugees in Lebanon: the factor structure and the clinical utility of the International Trauma Questionnaire

“…Adding to the pre‐existing refugee communities, mostly from Palestine and Iraq, Lebanon now accounts for the country with the highest number of refugees per capita . The most recent lifetime prevalence estimate of PTSD amongst Syrian refugees living in camps in Lebanon is estimated at 35.4% , substantially higher than the recent general population estimate of 8.8% .…”

Correction to: PTSD and gender: could gender differences in war trauma types, symptom clusters and risk factors predict gender differences in PTSD prevalence?

“…The protective role of social support against PTSD has been highlighted extensively (Bryant 2016;Farhood and Dimassi 2012;Farhood and Noureddine 2003;Farhood et al 2013;Olff 2017). The Lebanese culture fortunately treasures and values social support (Farhood et al 2016). Socio-culturally sensitive micro-policies should be executed such that social support that is available to families is enhanced.…”