The prevalence of potentially traumatic events in the seventh survey of the population-based Tromsø study (Tromsø 7)

Abstract

Aims: Potentially traumatic events (PTEs) can have detrimental consequences for an individual’s physical and mental health. Exposure to PTEs is therefore increasingly assessed in population-based studies. Consistent with this trend, the most recent wave of the longitudinal population-based Tromsø study (Tromsø 7) in Northern Norway included a list of PTEs. The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence of PTEs in the sample and examine demographic correlates of reported PTE exposure in this group. Methods: In Tromsø 7, a total of 21,083 participants aged ⩾40 years (52.5% female, mean age 57.3 years) were asked about exposure to nine PTEs that occurred in childhood, in adulthood and in the previous year. Differences between demographic groups in exposure to PTEs were examined using chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses. Results: Overall, 67% of the participants reported at least one PTE across the three time intervals. A life-threatening illness or serious accident of a loved one (36.8%) or of the respondent (24.0%) and bullying (21.5%) were the most frequently reported PTEs. Female sex, younger age, indigenous or immigrant ethnicity and higher education were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting at least one PTE. Group differences with respect to specific PTEs were observed. Conclusions: The experience of PTEs is common among the participants in the Tromsø 7 study. The current study lays the foundation for further research into the associations between PTEs and physical and mental health within the Tromsø study.

Associations between stressful life events in childhood/adolescence and adulthood: results from the 7th Tromsø survey

“…Finally, having experienced something else frightening, dangerous, or violent, such as a natural disaster, war, or terror attack, was included in this group of PTEs in childhood/adolescence via its association with the loss of a loved one and severe grief. Given that many participants were old enough to have experienced the Second World War (Thimm et al, 2021 ), it can be speculated that this association is due to the loss of a loved one during the war. The two groups of SLEs in adulthood were highly similar to the two groups of SLEs in childhood/adolescence.…”

“…For example, mental health factors and personality dispositions have shown to have an impact on the recollection of adverse childhood experiences (Colman et al, 2016 ; Reuben et al, 2016 ). Finally, the Tromsø7 sample may not be representative for the population from which it was drawn (Thimm et al, 2021 ).…”

“…A sum score for SLEs in adulthood was calculated when at least 80% of the SLEs had been answered ( n = 20,463). Because the Thimm et al ( 2021 ) study on the prevalence of SLEs in the Tromsø7 population found that reporting SLEs was positively associated with being female, younger age, having higher education, and belonging to a minority population (immigrant or indigenous), it was controlled for these demographics in all analyses. Education was dummy coded with primary/partly secondary education as the reference category.…”

“…Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore the associations between a broad range of SLEs, including SLEs that are not commonly assessed in the field, such as bullying and painful or frightening medical treatment at the hospital or the dentist (Thimm et al, 2021 ). These events represent actual or perceived threats to the person’s physical and mental health (e.g.…”