title: A prospective analysis of trauma exposure: the mediating role of PTSD symptomatology.
abstract: Trauma exposure has been associated with increased risk of exposure to additional traumatic events. Reactions to trauma exposure, specifically PTSD symptomatology, may mediate the link between trauma exposure and later traumatic events. Data from a longitudinal sample of Gulf War veterans (N = 2,949) were analyzed using a series of regression models. Higher levels of combat exposure were related to increased reports of PTSD symptomatology immediately upon return as well as increased reports of traumatic events in the 2 years following the Gulf War. PTSD symptomatology partially mediated the link between combat exposure and later trauma. Symptom clusters were also analyzed separately as potential mediators. Implications for the treatment of PTSD and prevention of exposure to multiple traumas are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Boston Healthcare System, Massachusetts, USA. horcutt@niu.edu
authors.forename: Holly K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Orcutt
authors.forename: Darin J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wolfe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008877:Middle East; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D014857:Warfare