Abstract
Purpose
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common and debilitating. Although research has identified individual-level risk factors
for PTSD, the role of macro-social factors in PTSD etiology remains unknown. This study tests whether perceived neighborhood
social cohesion (NSC), measured at the both the individual and neighborhood levels, plays a role in determining past-year
risk of PTSD among those exposed to trauma.
for PTSD, the role of macro-social factors in PTSD etiology remains unknown. This study tests whether perceived neighborhood
social cohesion (NSC), measured at the both the individual and neighborhood levels, plays a role in determining past-year
risk of PTSD among those exposed to trauma.
Methods
Data (n = 1,221) were obtained from an ongoing prospective epidemiologic study in the city of Detroit. Assessment of traumatic event
exposure and PTSD was consistent with DSM-IV criteria. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) and logistic regression models
were used to estimate the association of neighborhood-level perceived NSC with the risk of PTSD, adjusting for individual-level
perceptions of NSC and other covariates.
exposure and PTSD was consistent with DSM-IV criteria. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) and logistic regression models
were used to estimate the association of neighborhood-level perceived NSC with the risk of PTSD, adjusting for individual-level
perceptions of NSC and other covariates.
Results
The odds of past-year PTSD were significantly higher among those residing in a neighborhood with low social cohesion compared
to high (OR = 2.44, 95 % CI: 1.58, 3.78), independent of individual sociodemographic characteristics, number of traumas, and
individual-level perceptions of NSC. The odds of past-year PTSD were not significantly associated with individual-level perceptions
of NSC.
to high (OR = 2.44, 95 % CI: 1.58, 3.78), independent of individual sociodemographic characteristics, number of traumas, and
individual-level perceptions of NSC. The odds of past-year PTSD were not significantly associated with individual-level perceptions
of NSC.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0506-9
- Authors
- Lauren E. Johns, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Allison E. Aiello, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Caroline Cheng, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Sandro Galea, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Karestan C. Koenen, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Monica Uddin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield Ave., 3309 Scott Detroit, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954