Abstract
There are two types of risk factors for developing PTSD: factors that increase the likelihood of experiencing a potentially
traumatizing event and factors that increase the likelihood of developing symptoms following such events. Using prospective
data over a two-year period from a large, diverse sample of urban adolescents (n = 1242, Mean age = 13.5), the current study differentiates these two sources of risk for developing PTSD in response to violence
exposure. Five domains of potential risk and protective factors were examined: community context (e.g., neighborhood poverty),
family risk (e.g., family conflict), behavioral maladjustment (e.g., internalizing symptoms), cognitive vulnerabilities (e.g.,
low IQ), and interpersonal problems (e.g., low social support). Time 1 interpersonal violence history, externalizing behaviors,
and association with deviant peers were the best predictors of subsequent violence, but did not further increase the likelihood
of PTSD in response to violence. Race/ethnicity, thought disorder symptoms, and social problems were distinctly predictive
of the development of PTSD following violence exposure. Among youth exposed to violence, Time 1 risk factors did not predict
specific event features associated with elevated PTSD rates (e.g., parent as perpetrator), nor did interactions between Time
1 factors and event features add significantly to the prediction of PTSD diagnosis. Findings highlight areas for refinement
in adolescent PTSD symptom measures and conceptualization, and provide direction for more targeted prevention and intervention
efforts.
traumatizing event and factors that increase the likelihood of developing symptoms following such events. Using prospective
data over a two-year period from a large, diverse sample of urban adolescents (n = 1242, Mean age = 13.5), the current study differentiates these two sources of risk for developing PTSD in response to violence
exposure. Five domains of potential risk and protective factors were examined: community context (e.g., neighborhood poverty),
family risk (e.g., family conflict), behavioral maladjustment (e.g., internalizing symptoms), cognitive vulnerabilities (e.g.,
low IQ), and interpersonal problems (e.g., low social support). Time 1 interpersonal violence history, externalizing behaviors,
and association with deviant peers were the best predictors of subsequent violence, but did not further increase the likelihood
of PTSD in response to violence. Race/ethnicity, thought disorder symptoms, and social problems were distinctly predictive
of the development of PTSD following violence exposure. Among youth exposed to violence, Time 1 risk factors did not predict
specific event features associated with elevated PTSD rates (e.g., parent as perpetrator), nor did interactions between Time
1 factors and event features add significantly to the prediction of PTSD diagnosis. Findings highlight areas for refinement
in adolescent PTSD symptom measures and conceptualization, and provide direction for more targeted prevention and intervention
efforts.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-012-9677-9
- Authors
- Stephanie Milan, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Kate Zona, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Jenna Acker, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Viana Turcios-Cotto, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627