title: Risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder in persons with spinal cord injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many of the events that cause spinal cord injury (SCI) are traumatic events that can result in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It therefore appears that most persons with SCI are at risk for developing PTSD. This study retrospectively examined risk factors for PTSD symptoms in a sample of 71 persons with SCI.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV was used to assess full and partial PTSD diagnoses. Self-administered questionnaires were used to measure potential risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated that 11% of the participants met the criteria for full PTSD, and an additional 20% met the criteria for partial PTSD at some point after their SCI. Hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed that trauma history, peritraumatic reactions, and intolerance of uncertainty predicted the number of PTSD symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the importance of trauma history, peritraumatic reactions, and intolerance of uncertainty in the development of PTSD symptoms. Patients at risk for PTSD should be identified early in the rehabilitation process and could benefit from psychological interventions with the aim of preventing PTSD development.
authors: Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal , Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Otis
authors: André
authors: A
authors: Marchand
authors: Frédérique
authors: F
authors: Courtois
keywords: PTSD; anxiety; post-traumatic stress disorder; risk factors; spinal cord injury