Sex-dependent differences in vulnerability to early risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder: results from the AURORA study
Recommended Citation
Haering S, Seligowski AV, Linnstaedt SD, Michopoulos V, House SL, Beaudoin FL, An X, Neylan TC, Clifford GD, Germine LT, Rauch SL, Haran JP, Storrow AB, Lewandowski C, Musey PI, Jr., Hendry PL, Sheikh S, Jones CW, Punches BE, Swor RA, Gentile NT, Hudak LA, Pascual JL, Seamon MJ, Pearson C, Peak DA, Merchant RC, Domeier RM, Rathlev NK, O'Neil BJ, Sanchez LD, Bruce SE, Harte SE, McLean SA, Kessler RC, Koenen KC, Stevens JS, and Powers A. Sex-dependent differences in vulnerability to early risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder: results from the AURORA study. Psychol Med 2024; 1-11.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-22-2024
Publication Title
Psychological medicine
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Knowledge of sex differences in risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can contribute to the development of refined preventive interventions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine if women and men differ in their vulnerability to risk factors for PTSD.
METHODS: As part of the longitudinal AURORA study, 2924 patients seeking emergency department (ED) treatment in the acute aftermath of trauma provided self-report assessments of pre- peri- and post-traumatic risk factors, as well as 3-month PTSD severity. We systematically examined sex-dependent effects of 16 risk factors that have previously been hypothesized to show different associations with PTSD severity in women and men.
RESULTS: Women reported higher PTSD severity at 3-months post-trauma.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate mechanisms to which men might be particularly vulnerable, demonstrating that known PTSD risk factors might behave differently in women and men. Analyses did not identify any risk factors to which women were more vulnerable than men, pointing toward further mechanisms to explain women's higher PTSD risk. Our study illustrates the need for a more systematic examination of sex differences in contributors to PTSD severity after trauma, which may inform refined preventive interventions.
PubMed ID
38775091
ePublication
ePub ahead of print
First Page
1
Last Page
11
