Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder has been associated with adverse health outcomes. The extent to which the health effects of
PTSD differ from other diagnoses has not been explored empirically. The current study investigated the Multidimensional Health
Profile (including both Psychosocial and Health factors), across three diagnostic groups and one group of well-adjusted participants
(N = 92) in a contrasted-groups design. Participants were all trauma-exposed and were assessed using structured clinical interviews.
The PTSD and depression groups tended to differ from the social phobia and well-adjusted groups. Both the PTSD and depression
groups demonstrated elevated profiles on variables assessing psychological distress, negative social exchange, and hypochondriasis.
Results are consistent with prior research suggesting PTSD is associated with worse psychological and health functioning relative
to trauma-exposed individuals without PTSD, although these health outcomes seem to differ little between those with PTSD and
those with depression.
PTSD differ from other diagnoses has not been explored empirically. The current study investigated the Multidimensional Health
Profile (including both Psychosocial and Health factors), across three diagnostic groups and one group of well-adjusted participants
(N = 92) in a contrasted-groups design. Participants were all trauma-exposed and were assessed using structured clinical interviews.
The PTSD and depression groups tended to differ from the social phobia and well-adjusted groups. Both the PTSD and depression
groups demonstrated elevated profiles on variables assessing psychological distress, negative social exchange, and hypochondriasis.
Results are consistent with prior research suggesting PTSD is associated with worse psychological and health functioning relative
to trauma-exposed individuals without PTSD, although these health outcomes seem to differ little between those with PTSD and
those with depression.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10862-011-9251-8
- Authors
- Joah L. Williams, The University of Memphis, 202 Psychology Building, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
- Meghan E. McDevitt-Murphy, The University of Memphis, 202 Psychology Building, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
- Jordan A. Fields, The University of Memphis, 202 Psychology Building, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
- Frank W. Weathers, Psychology Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
- Amanda M. Flood, Deployment Health Center, Port Hueneme, 162 First St. Bldg. 1402, Port Hueneme, CA 93043, USA
- Journal Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment
- Online ISSN 1573-3505
- Print ISSN 0882-2689