Depressive symptoms after trauma: is self-esteem a mediating factor?

Abstract

Traumatic events have predicted depressive symptoms. Despite this consensus, it remains unclear as to whether the relationship between trauma and depression is consistently mediated by a negative cognitive schema, such as low self-esteem, or whether trauma influences mood independently of low self-esteem. This study tested these relationships while considering depressive symptom types. One hundred thirty-two students reported the number of traumatic events experienced and self-esteem and depression levels. Results indicated 2 depressive symptom types: "cognitive-affective" and "somatic." Structural Equation Modeling tested an unmediated path from trauma to depressive symptoms and a path mediated by self-esteem. Results supported the unmediated relationship between trauma and "cognitive-affective" depressive symptoms, and did not support mediation by self-esteem. Findings are discussed in view of a dimensional rather than categorical approach to depression, and in consideration of alternative symptom clusters resulting from trauma in addition to those captured by posttraumatic stress disorder.