Aug 2026· Actas espanolas de psiquiatria· Vol 54, pp. 1297 - 1303· 0 citations· 26 references
Medicine
TL;DR
Sexual aggression, female sex, and older age were significantly associated with a PTSD diagnosis among psychiatric trauma survivors, underscoring the importance of incorporating trauma-informed care principles and systematic screening for sexual violence into mental health settings to improve diagnostic accuracy and optimize interventions for this population.
Abstract
Background: There is extensive evidence linking specific sociodemographic and clinical factors to increased vulnerability for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, most studies have focused on community samples, and little is known about how such factors shape PTSD risk in clinical psychiatric settings in Latin America, where trauma exposure is highly prevalent. The present study addresses these gaps by examining sociodemographic characteristics and specific types of traumatic events linked to PTSD diagnosis among individuals receiving care at a tertiary mental health facility in Mexico City, Mexico. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational design was employed, enrolling 160 psychiatric patients. Participants were assessed for exposure to potentially traumatic events using the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5). Probable PTSD was initially identified with the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), followed by diagnostic confirmation using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). Sociodemographic data, including age, sex, and educational attainment, were also collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify PTSD predictors, with a significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The frequency of PTSD in the sample was 31.9%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that sexual aggression was the strongest independent predictor of PTSD (odds ratio (OR) = 38.49; 95% confidence interval (CI): 10.59–139.95; p < 0.001). Other significant predictors included being female (OR = 8.09; 95% CI: 1.60–40.86; p < 0.001) and over 30 years old (OR = 2.86; 95% CI: 1.13–7.24; p < 0.05). The model demonstrated good overall fit (Pearson χ2 p = 0.673) and explained a moderate proportion of the variance (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.550). Conclusions: Sexual aggression, female sex, and older age were significantly associated with a PTSD diagnosis among psychiatric trauma survivors. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating trauma-informed care principles and systematic screening for sexual violence into mental health settings to improve diagnostic accuracy and optimize interventions for this population.
Abstract Background Trauma exposure is a significant predictor of later psychopathology, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidality. Global evidence consistently demonstrates that individuals exposed to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse face increased risk of self-harm and suicide. In sub-Saharan Africa, these vulnerabilities are magnified by structural inequalities, gender-based violence, and limited access to care. In Kenya, national data indicate that nearly half of adults have experienced severe trauma, with PTSD prevalence estimated at 10.6%. Despite this burden, little is known about the relationship between trauma and suicidality among clinical populations receiving tertiary mental health care. This study utilizes secondary data extracted from NeuroGAP—the largest African genetic and psychiatric epidemiology study—to investigate trauma patterns and suicidality among adults in Western Kenya. NeuroGAP systematically screened participants for trauma (PC-PTSD), PTSD symptoms, and suicidality (C-SSRS), providing a uniquely robust dataset. A total of 3,150 participants were screened for trauma exposure, and 1,952 were assessed for suicidality. Additional analyses of narrative clinical notes allow exploration of lived experiences and contextual contributors to risk. Aims & Objectives Specific objectives To describe the prevalence, types, and severity of traumatic experiences among young adults receiving tertiary mental health care. To determine the prevalence and characteristics of suicidality (ideation, plans, and attempts) within this population. To analyze the association between specific trauma profiles and suicidality, controlling for key sociodemographic and clinical factors. Method The study employs a nested cross-sectional design. Quantitative analyses will summarize sociodemographic characteristics, trauma types, and suicidality prevalence. Bivariate and multivariate analyses will examine associations between trauma profiles and suicidality while adjusting for key clinical and demographic confounders. Qualitative data from clinical narratives will be thematically analyzed to illuminate psychosocial contexts, cumulative adversity, and barriers to care. Results This study will generate context-specific insights into how trauma exposure shapes suicidality among adults in tertiary mental health settings. Findings are expected to identify high-risk trauma patterns, highlight clinical service gaps, and inform trauma-informed care models. Results will also support policy-level suicide prevention efforts and strengthen capacity-building initiatives for mental health workers in Kenya. Discussion & Conclusions By leveraging NeuroGAP, Africa’s largest psychiatric genetic and epidemiological dataset—this study will contribute significant evidence toward understanding trauma–suicidality pathways in African contexts. Ultimately, the research aims to guide early detection, risk assessment, and development of targeted, culturally grounded interventions for vulnerable populations.
C. Gumbo, Z. Kimari, F. Jaguga et al.· International Journal of Neu...· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research has largely focused on exposure to DSM-defined traumatic events, while comparatively little attention has been paid to the role of ongoing socioeconomic stressors. Few contemporary, population-based studies have examined how lifetime trauma (e.g., physical violence) and recent socioeconomic stressors jointly relate to PTSD risk, or whether the association between socioeconomic stressors (e.g., losing a job) and PTSD differs by trauma burden among trauma-exposed individuals.
METHODS
We analyzed data from the Global Social Determinants of Health Survey (2023-2024), a population-based cross-sectional survey conducted in eight countries (Brazil, France, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Turkey, and the United States). Analyses were restricted to adults reporting at least one lifetime traumatic event (N = 5,525). PTSD was assessed using the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5). We assessed the relationship between trauma burden, socioeconomic stressor burden, and PTSD using survey-weighted Rao-Scott chi-square tests and logistic regressions. We estimated marginal predicted probabilities for PTSD by socioeconomic stressor burden for each trauma exposure level.
FINDINGS
PTSD prevalence increased from 5.1% (95% CI: 4.3%, 5.9%) among those with mild trauma to 23.9% (95% CI: 19.3%, 29.1%) among those with severe trauma. Similarly, PTSD prevalence rose from 0.6% (95% CI: 0.3%, 1.0%) among those with no recent socioeconomic stressors to 17.9% (95% CI: 15.6%, 20.4%) among those with severe exposure. The association between socioeconomic stressors and PTSD was modified by trauma burden (joint Wald test p<0.001). Among those with mild trauma, each additional stressor increased PTSD odds by 41% (OR: 1.41 [95% CI 1.32, 1.51]), while this association was attenuated among moderate (interaction OR: 0.83; combined association OR: 1.17) and severe trauma (interaction OR: 0.85; combined association OR: 1.20). PTSD prevalence was also markedly higher for specific exposures, with the largest exposed-unexposed contrasts observed for sexual violence (19.9% vs 4.6%), physical assault (17.4% vs 3.9%), forced displacement (16.2% vs 4.4%), housing insecurity (17.0% vs 4.7%), divorce or separation (14.0% vs 4.7%), and social isolation (12.2% vs 1.5%).
INTERPRETATION
We found strong evidence that PTSD risk among trauma-exposed adults is shaped by both lifetime traumatic exposure and ongoing socioeconomic stressors. These findings highlight the importance of contextual adversity in shaping PTSD burden.
S. Abdalla, Madison Pickerel, Bernard Banda et al.· Psychiatry Research· 0 citations
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the key psychiatric disorders that significantly predicts suicidal ideation and the likelihood of suicide attempts. As such, understanding the factors contributing to this risk in affected individuals is crucial. In this regard, the current study aimed to investigate the correlates of suicide risk in individuals with PTSD, focusing on PTSD symptom clusters, negative posttraumatic cognitions and beliefs, prior suicide attempt history, and comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders.
A sample of 80 participants with PTSD was gathered through a purposeful sampling method and completed study measures, including the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for
DSM-5
(PCL-5), the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI), and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R).
Correlation and hierarchical regression analyses indicated that prior suicide attempts, psychiatric comorbidity, re-experiencing symptoms, and negative cognitions about the self were significantly associated with suicide risk. Of note, re-experiencing symptoms were the only PTSD symptom cluster that remained significantly associated with suicide risk. Similarly, among the PTCI dimensions, only negative cognitions about the self demonstrated a significant association.
Findings emphasize the importance of symptom-level, cognitive, and clinical factors in suicide risk in patients with PTSD, which could inform suicide risk assessment and future intervention research.
ABSTRACT
Background: Complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom profile, prevalence, and risk factors have been studied in various populations across the lifespan. However, the longitudinal course of complex PTSD symptoms is unknown. Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD symptom trajectories and trauma disorders diagnostic changes in a longitudinal study of a trauma-exposed community sample of adolescents. Method: The five-year, three-wave longitudinal study included 156 adolescents (58.3% girls, 40.4% boys, and 1.3% non-binary); age M(SD) = 17.10(0.43) years, who completed self-report questionnaires. The Repeated Measures ANOVA was used to identify changes in complex PTSD symptom clusters in adolescents meeting diagnostic criteria for PTSD, complex PTSD, or no trauma disorder at wave 3. Results: 21 diagnostic pathways of PTSD, complex PTSD, and no trauma disorder were observed across the three biannual study waves. Almost half of the participants (46.8%) met diagnostic criteria for PTSD or complex PTSD at least at a single wave over the course of the study. However, complex PTSD (2.6%) or PTSD (0.6%) diagnostic pathways across all three waves were rare. In adolescents with complex PTSD at the last wave, all symptom cluster trajectories were elevated through time in comparison to the no current trauma disorder status group. Also, the stability in time of affect dysregulation and disturbed relationships symptoms was indicated in adolescents with complex PTSD status in wave 3. Conclusions: The longitudinal study of complex PTSD symptom trajectories reveals heightened complex PTSD symptoms across five years of the study in participants meeting diagnostic criteria for complex PTSD at the last study wave. These findings reveal the importance of early recognition of complex PTSD symptom patterns in adolescents to provide trauma care and treatment. Further studies are needed to explore complex PTSD symptom trajectories in other adolescent populations.
A. Kairyte, E. Kazlauskas, P. Zelviene· European Journal of Psychotr...· 0 citations
ntroduction: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most extensively documented comorbid psychiatric condition among children and adolescents who have been sexually abused. However, the literature on PTSD severity and its associated factors in this population remains scarce, and existing studies have several methodological limitations. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of PTSD severity among sexually abused adolescents.Methods: We enrolled 164 sexually abused adolescents aged 12–18 years (149 girls and 15 boys) who were referred for forensic psychiatric assessment. Each participant underwent a clinical interview with a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Sociodemographic characteristics, psychiatric diagnoses, and abuse-related variables were systematically recorded, and all participants completed the Child Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (CPTSD-RI).Results: PTSD was diagnosed in 43.9% (n = 72) of the participants according to the DSM-IV-TR criteria. CPTSD-RI scores were significantly higher in females than males (p = 0.001) and in cigarette (p = 0.010) and alcohol (p = 0.004) users compared with nonusers. Contact (p = 0.044) and penetrating (p < 0.001) abuses had higher CPTSD-RI scores than noncontact and nonpenetrating abuses, respectively. Adolescents exposed to physical force and violence during abuse had significantly higher scores (p < 0.001), whereas the presence of another victim was associated with lower CPTSD-RI scores (p = 0.002).Discussion and Conclusion: Clinicians working with sexually abused adolescents should carefully assess the factors associated with greater PTSD severity, including female sex, alcohol and tobacco use, contact and penetrative abuse, the presence of physical force or violence during the abuse, and the absence of additional co-victims.
İ. Kaya, Z. Karadoğan, Süreyyanur Kitapçıoğlu et al.· Istanbul University Journal...· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
War-related trauma is associated with substantial mental health burden, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (cPTSD). These presentations often co-occur with depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injury, sleep disturbance, functional impairment, and moral injury, complicating assessment and treatment. Despite growing research on trauma in conflict-affected populations, recent evidence remains uneven across active-duty personnel, veterans, civilians, refugees, internally displaced persons, and children.
METHODS
Studies published in English between 2020 and November 2025 were identified by following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and conducting systematic searches in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Eligible studies examined PTSD or cPTSD outcomes, moral injury or potentially morally injurious events, functioning, comorbidities, treatment engagement, or implementation outcomes among war-affected populations. Eligible designs included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, cohort and longitudinal studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional surveys, psychometric studies, and implementation-oriented evaluations. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 for randomized trials and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. Findings were synthesized narratively.
RESULTS
Twenty-six empirical studies met the inclusion criteria. The evidence base was dominated by military and veteran samples, particularly from high-income health-system settings, limiting generalizability to civilians, refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons. Across observational studies, combat and interpersonal trauma exposure, unemployment, female sex, low social connectedness, and insomnia were associated with greater PTSD symptom burden or more symptomatic traumatic-stress profiles. Social and vocational well-being, unit cohesion, social connectedness, and sleep health were associated with more favourable outcomes, although these findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal effects. Randomized controlled trials supported trauma-focused psychotherapies, particularly cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure, in veteran, active-duty, and primary-care samples. Sleep-focused augmentation and alternative approaches such as Sudarshan Kriya Yoga appeared promising but were supported by limited evidence. Implementation studies suggested that telehealth, massed, and primary-care delivery formats were feasible and acceptable, but uncontrolled designs limited conclusions about effectiveness. Psychometric evidence provided mixed support for the empirical distinction between ICD-11 PTSD and cPTSD in veteran samples. Moral injury was closely associated with PTSD and related psychological outcomes, but causal mechanisms remain unconfirmed.
CONCLUSIONS
Trauma-focused psychotherapies remain the best-supported interventions for war-related PTSD, particularly in veteran and military samples. Sleep assessment, social and vocational support, and scalable delivery models such as telehealth may improve service access and treatment planning, but stronger controlled studies are needed, especially among civilians, refugees, internally displaced persons, and children in humanitarian settings.
Ata Amini, M. Ahani, Fatemeh Amani Beni et al.· Journal of Psychiatric Resea...· 0 citations
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