Different trajectories of PTSD symptoms during the acute post-trauma period. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brier, Zoe M.F.; Connor, Julie; Legrand, Alison C.; Price, Matthew
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychiatric research. Volume 131(2020)
• Page Start: 127
• Page End: 131
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Acute post-trauma period -- Posttraumatic stress disorder -- Latent class growth analysis -- Trajectories; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; Maladies mentales -- Périodiques; Psychiatry; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.08.037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3956

Abstract

Abstract: The majority of adults in the United States will experience a potentially traumatic event during their lifetime, yet only a subset will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The trajectory of symptoms in the period of time immediately following the trauma (the acute post-trauma period) may be important in determining which individuals develop PTSD. The current study examined trajectories of PTSD symptom severity across the acute post-trauma period and if membership in these trajectories was predictive of PTSD symptom severity, depression symptoms, and functional impairment 1- and 3-months post-trauma. Four trajectories were identified: low and decreasing, rapid decreasing, slow decreasing, and consistently high. Further, trajectory membership in the acute post-trauma period was found to predict differences in PTSD symptoms, depression symptoms, and functional impairment severity at both 1- and 3- months post-trauma. These findings highlight a relationship between PTSD symptoms during the acute post-trauma period and later impairment. Highlights: Four trajectories of PTSD symptom severity were found during the acute post-trauma period. Trajectories were low and decreasing, rapid decreasing, slow decreasing, and high and consistent. PTSD trajectory membership predicted PTSD symptom severity at 1- and 3- months post-trauma. PTSD trajectory membership predicts depression and disability at 1- and 3- months post-trauma.