title: Is traumatic stress research global? A bibliometric analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The representation of low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) in traumatic stress research is important to establish a global evidence base, build research capacity, and reduce the burden of unmet mental health needs around the world. Reviews of the traumatic stress literature up to 2002 showed trends toward globalization although LMIC were only marginally represented compared to high-income countries (HIC).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the global nature of current traumatic stress research. In particular, we were interested in the extent to which traumatic stress research is: (1) conducted in LMIC, (2) conducted by LMIC researchers, and (3) accessible to them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the databases PubMed, PsychInfo, and PILOTS, we systematically searched for peer-reviewed articles on traumatic stress published in any language in the year 2012. Out of the 3,123 unique papers identified, we coded a random sample (N=1,000) for study, author, article, and journal characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although our sample involved research in 56 different countries, most papers (87%) involved research in HIC, with 51% of all papers describing studies in the United States. In 88% of the papers, the author team was affiliated with HIC only. Less than 5% of all author teams involved collaborations between HIC and LMIC researchers. Moreover, 45% of the articles on LMIC studies published by a HIC corresponding author did not involve any LMIC co-authors. LMIC researchers appeared to publish empirical studies in lower impact journals. Of the 1,000 articles in our sample, 32% were open access and 10% were made available via different means; over half of the papers were not accessible without subscription.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Traumatic stress research is increasingly global but still strongly dominated by HIC. Important opportunities to build capacity in LMIC appear to be missed. Implications toward more international traumatic stress research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Kinga E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Fodor
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Biological Psychology, Catholic University Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt, Germany.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Unterhitzenberger
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Chia-Ying
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia ; Department of Psychiatry, Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Dzenana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kartal
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Biological Psychology, Catholic University Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt, Germany.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leistner
authors.affiliation: Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milosavljevic
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Biological Psychology, Catholic University Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt, Germany.
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nocon
authors.affiliation: Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Laia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Soler
authors.affiliation: International Psychology Department, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Jenifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
authors.forename: Seonyoung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Monash Injury Research Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia ; National Psychotrauma Center for Children and Youth, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alisic
keywords: Bibliometric analysis; capacity building; global mental health; low- and middle-income countries; posttraumatic stress disorder; systematic review; traumatic stress research