Trauma exposure and posttraumatic symptoms in Hawaii: Gender, ethnicity, and social context.

Abstract

Eight-hundred thirty-three members of an ethnically diverse longitudinal cohort study in Hawaii were surveyed about their personal exposure to several types of traumatic events, socioeconomic resources, and mental health symptoms. Results replicated findings from prior research that while men and women are exposed to similar rates of trauma overall, women report more exposure to traumas high in betrayal (HB), while men report exposure to more traumas lower in betrayal (LB). Trauma exposure was predictive of mental health symptoms, with neglect, household dysfunction, and HB traumas predicting symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, dissociation, and sleep disturbance, and LB traumas predicting PTSD and dissociation symptoms. Native Hawaiian ethnicity and poorer socioeconomic status were predictive of greater trauma exposure and symptoms. Results suggest that more inclusive definitions of trauma are important for gender equity, and that ethnic group variation in symptoms is better explained by factors such as differential trauma exposure and economic and social status differences, rather than minority status per se.

Rates and consequences of posttraumatic distress among American Indian adults with type 2 diabetes

“…As noted, we found no significant differences in PTSD by gender. In some previous studies, rates of traumatic events for AIs were similar across gender (Flett et al, 2004; Manson et al, 2005; Klest et al, 2013), as were rates of PTSD (Robin et al, 1997), potentially indicating the impact of cultural and social factors on trauma and PTSD. Contrarily, Ehlers and colleagues (2013a) reported a larger proportion of AI women than men with diagnosed PTSD.…”

A Brief Report on Predicting Self-Harm: Is It Gender or Abuse that Matters?

“…For instance, measures of adverse childhood experiences have been used effectively in large community samples (Felitti et al, 1998). Additionally, the Brief Betrayal Trauma Survey has been used to successfully examine abuse history in community samples (Freyd, Klest, & Allard, 2005;Goldberg & Freyd, 2006), college samples (e.g., Goldsmith, Freyd, & DePrince, 2012), parent and caregiver samples (Hulette, Kaehler, & Freyd, 2011), and ethnically diverse samples (Klest, Freyd, & Foynes, 2013). Further, the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire is a possible option to investigate self-harm in youth under the age of 18 (Finkelhor, Hamby, Ormrod, & Turner, 2005).…”

Sex Disparities in Adverse Childhood Experiences and HIV/STIs: Mediation of Psychopathology and Sexual Behaviors

“…In relation to the current study, we also propose that the latter three components of the Traumagenic Dynamics model (betrayal, powerlessness and stigmatization) may be used to understand the sexual health consequences associated with other ACEs. For example, in experiencing ACEs such as neglect, and physical or psychological abuse, there may be a sense of betrayal that is felt by the child as someone who they trusted has caused them harm by abuse and/or neglect [32, 33]. Witnessing violence in the home [34], or living with someone who had been incarcerated [35] or had mental illness [36] can result in a child feeling powerless or helpless, as he/she may not be able to help during these specific events.…”