Abstract
Purpose
Youth in foster care represent a highly traumatized population. However, trauma research on this population has focused primarily
on maltreatment rather than the full spectrum of trauma experiences identified within the DSM-IV. The current study aims to
fill this gap by reporting the prevalence of exposure to specific types of traumatic events for a large sample of youth with
foster care experience. The study also reports the likelihood of lifetime PTSD diagnoses associated with each specific type
of trauma.
on maltreatment rather than the full spectrum of trauma experiences identified within the DSM-IV. The current study aims to
fill this gap by reporting the prevalence of exposure to specific types of traumatic events for a large sample of youth with
foster care experience. The study also reports the likelihood of lifetime PTSD diagnoses associated with each specific type
of trauma.
Results
The majority of respondents had experienced at least one trauma in their lifetime. While overall trauma prevalence did not
differ by gender, males were more likely to experience interpersonal violence and environmental trauma, while females were
more likely to experience sexual trauma. Caucasian participants reported higher rates of trauma exposure than African-American
participants did. The types of trauma associated with the highest probability of a lifetime PTSD diagnosis were rape, being
tortured or a victim of terrorists, and molestation.
differ by gender, males were more likely to experience interpersonal violence and environmental trauma, while females were
more likely to experience sexual trauma. Caucasian participants reported higher rates of trauma exposure than African-American
participants did. The types of trauma associated with the highest probability of a lifetime PTSD diagnosis were rape, being
tortured or a victim of terrorists, and molestation.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0563-0
- Authors
- Amy M. Salazar, Social Development Research Group, University of Washington, 9725 Third Ave NE, Suite #401, 98115 Seattle, WA, USA
- Thomas E. Keller, School of Social Work, Portland State University, 1600 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 900, 97201 Portland, OR, USA
- L. Kris Gowen, Regional Research Institute for Human Services, Portland State University, 1600 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 900, 97201 Portland, OR, USA
- Mark E. Courtney, School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, 969 E 60th St, 60637 Chicago, IL, USA
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954