Traumatic experiencing and post traumatic psychological symptoms in South African University students.
OBJECTIVE
Traumatized and nontraumatized subjects were compared on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depression and anxiety. In addition, gender differences, socio-economic and family background were studied.


METHODS
Cross sectional.


METHODS
University of the North.


METHODS
All first year African psychology students comprising of 82 (31%) male and 180 (69%) females in the age range 17 to 25 years (mean age 20.7 years, SD = 2.3).


METHODS
The Impact of Event Scale (IES), the 35 item civilian version of the Mississippi Scale for PTSD, and the 42 item Symptom Rating Scale for Depression and Anxiety.


RESULTS
Results indicated a high life time prevalence of traumatic events (56% of the students). Males were significantly more likely than females to be in an accident (26.8% vs 11.7%, p = 0.004). Females were more likely than males to have experienced an unexpected death of a significant other (27.8% vs 11.0%, p = 0.003) and to have been raped (6.0% vs 0%, p = 0.021). There was a significant positive relationship between exposure to traumatic events and post traumatic stress symptoms. Melancholia and anxiety were both significantly related with PTSD measures indicating comorbidity. Thirty two (12%) fulfilled the criteria for PTSD according to the Mississippi Scale for PTSD.


CONCLUSIONS
A high incidence of traumatic events and PTSD symptoms associated with melancholia and anxiety was found in a nonclinical first year university student population indicating a need for trauma intervention.
Peltzer
K
K
Department of Psychology, University of the North, South Africa. PeltzerK@unin.unorth.ac.za
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013019:South Africa; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*