Gender differences in the relationship between acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder following motor vehicle accidents.
OBJECTIVE
Acute stress disorder (ASD) describes initial posttraumatic stress reactions that purportedly predict subsequent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study aimed to index the influence of gender on the relationship between ASD and PTSD.


METHODS
Motor vehicle accident survivors were assessed for ASD within 1-month posttrauma (n = 171) and were subsequently assessed for PTSD 6-months later (n = 134).


RESULTS
Acute stress disorder was diagnosed in 8% of males and 23% of females, and PTSD was diagnosed in 15% of males and 38% of females. In terms of patients followed up at 6 months, 57% and 92% of males and females, respectively, who met criteria for ASD were diagnosed with PTSD. Females displayed significantly more peritraumatic dissociation than males.


CONCLUSIONS
Peritraumatic dissociation and ASD is a more accurate predictor of PTSD in females than males. This gender difference may be explained in terms of response bias or biological differences in trauma response between males and females.
Bryant
Richard A
RA
School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia. r.bryant@unsw.edu.au
Harvey
Allison G
AG
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D040701:Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015996:Survival Rate; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*