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The Role of Injury and Trauma-Related Variables in the Onset and Course of Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

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Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects a minority of trauma-exposed persons and is associated with significant impairment. This longitudinal study examined risk factors for PTSD. We tested whether the presence of injuries resulting from trauma exposure predicted the course of PTSD symptoms. In addition, we tested whether gender, trauma type, perceived life threat, and peritraumatic dissociation predicted the onset of PTSD symptoms. 236 trauma-exposed civilians were assessed for PTSD symptoms with a structured interview at four occasions during 6 months posttrauma. Path analysis showed that a model in which the female gender, assault, perceived life threat, and peritraumatic dissociation predicted PTSD severity at 1 week, and injury predicted PTSD severity 8 weeks after the traumatic event showed the best fit. However, a similar model without injury showed comparable fit. It is concluded that injuries have a negligible effect on the course of PTSD.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw), Grant no. 22000008 and Achmea Aid to Victims.

Conflict of interest

None declared.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Marit Sijbrandij

  2. EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Marit Sijbrandij

  3. Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Marit Sijbrandij & Iris M. Engelhard

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Centre of the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Giel-Jan de Vries, Berthold P. R. Gersons & Miranda Olff

  5. Department of Trauma Surgery, Academic Medical Centre of the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Jan S. K. Luitse

  6. Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Ingrid V. E. Carlier

Authors
  1. Marit Sijbrandij
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  2. Iris M. Engelhard
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  3. Giel-Jan de Vries
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  4. Jan S. K. Luitse
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  5. Ingrid V. E. Carlier
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  6. Berthold P. R. Gersons
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  7. Miranda Olff
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Correspondence to Marit Sijbrandij.

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Sijbrandij, M., Engelhard, I.M., de Vries, GJ. et al. The Role of Injury and Trauma-Related Variables in the Onset and Course of Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 20, 449–455 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-012-9348-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-012-9348-6

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