Multidimensional resiliency factors and psychopathology after acute trauma: Results from a prospective cohort study

Authors

• Hannah H Kim
• Anushka Kumar
• Kristen Nishimi
• Henning Tiemeier
• Jordan W Smoller
• Stacey L House
• Francesca L Beaudoin
• Xinming An
• Jennifer S Stevens
• Thomas C Neylan
• Gari D Clifford
• Sarah D Linnstaedt
• Scott L Rauch
• John P Haran
• Alan B Storrow
• Christopher A. Lewandowski, Henry Ford HospitalFollow
• Paul I Musey
• Phyllis L Hendry
• Sophia Sheikh
• Brittany E Punches
• Robert A Swor
• Jose L Pascual
• Mark J Seamon
• Claire Pearson
• David A Peak
• Roland C Merchant
• Robert M Domeier
• Niels K Rathlev
• Brian J O'Neil
• Paulina Sergot
• Leon D Sanchez
• Steven E Bruce
• Steven E Harte
• Kerry J Ressler
• Samuel A McLean
• Karestan C Koenen
• Karmel W Choi

Recommended Citation

Kim HH, Kumar A, Nishimi K, Tiemeier H, Smoller JW, House SL, Beaudoin FL, An X, Stevens JS, Neylan TC, Clifford GD, Linnstaedt SD, Rauch SL, Haran JP, Storrow AB, Lewandowski C, Musey PI, Hendry PL, Sheikh S, Punches BE, Swor RA, Pascual JL, Seamon MJ, Pearson C, Peak DA, Merchant RC, Domeier RM, Rathlev NK, O’Neil BJ, Sergot P, Sanchez LD, Bruce SE, Harte SE, Ressler KJ, McLean SA, Koenen KC, Choi KW. Multidimensional resiliency factors and psychopathology after acute trauma: Results from a prospective cohort study. Psychol Trauma. 2026.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-25-2026

Publication Title

Psychol Trauma

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Preventing posttraumatic psychopathology (e.g., depression or posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) following an acute traumatic event requires attention to modifiable factors that may protect against such psychopathology. In this study, we aimed to identify the relative contributions of resiliency factors across multiple domains to posttraumatic psychopathology and to delineate subcomponents that may be most influential.

METHOD: This study leveraged prospective data from 2,043 trauma-exposed individuals recruited from emergency departments in the Advancing Understanding of RecOvery afteR traumA Study. We first used structural equation modeling to examine higher level regulatory and interpersonal strength domains following acute trauma exposure and their relative associations with symptoms of depression or PTSD at 3 months posttrauma. We then tested which specific factors within these domains were associated with 3-month symptoms.

RESULTS: Both regulatory and interpersonal strength domains were linked to fewer symptoms of depression and PTSD 3 months later, though relational strengths were more strongly associated than regulatory strengths when modeled together. Within interpersonal strengths, higher levels of emotional support and supportive networks, but not social engagement, were associated with lower depressive and PTSD symptoms. Within regulatory strengths, trait resilience was associated with lower depressive and PTSD symptoms, and self-efficacy showed mixed associations, whereas mindfulness (measured as nonreactively observing internal experiences) was associated with higher symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest enhancing interpersonal resiliency, above and beyond regulatory strengths, may be crucial in the aftermath of acute trauma, with emotional support and supportive networks as especially strong potential buffers against posttraumatic psychopathology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

PubMed ID

42347781

ePublication

ePub ahead of print