Relation between lifespan polytrauma typologies and post-trauma mental health

Abstract

Background: Most individuals experience more than one trauma. Hence, it is important to consider the count and types of traumas (polytraumatization) in relation to post-trauma mental health.

Method: The current study examined the relation of polytraumatization patterns to PTSD clusters (intrusions, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood [NACM], and alterations in arousal and reactivity [AAR]), depression, and impulsivity facets (lack of perseverance, lack of premeditation, negative urgency, sensation seeking) using a web-based sample of 346 participants. Age, gender, race, and ethnicity were covariates.

Results: Results of latent class analyses indicated a three-class solution: Low Experience, Moderate Experience - Predominent Threat/Indirect PTEs (Moderate Experience), and High Experience - Predominant Interpersonal PTEs (High/Interpersonal). Multinomial logistic regression results indicated that ethnicity and gender were significant covariates in predicting Low versus High/Interpersonal Class, and Moderate Experience versus High/Interpersonal Class membership, respectively. The High/Interpersonal Class had higher scores on most PTSD clusters, depression, and the impulsivity facets of lack of perseverance and negative urgency compared to the other classes. The Low and Moderate Experience Classes differed on PTSD's avoidance and AAR clusters (lower in the former).

Conclusions: Individuals exposed to multiple PTE types, particularly interpersonal traumas, may be at risk for more severe post-trauma symptoms.

Figure 1

Latent profiles of participants based on their endorsed potentially traumatizing experiences across one’s lifetime. Note. Class 1 is Low Experience; Class 2 is Moderate Experience – Predominent Threat/Indirect PTEs; Class 3 is High Experience – Predominant Interpersonal Trauma