title: Rates ofDSM-IV-TRTrauma Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Newly Matriculated College Students.
abstract: The negotiation of the freedoms and responsibilities introduced as adolescents begin college may be particularly challenging for those with a trauma history and traumatic stress sequelae (posttraumatic stress disorder; PTSD). The present study examined the prevalence of and risk for trauma and PTSD in a large sample of college students. Matriculating students (N= 3,014; 1,763 female, 1,251 male) at two U.S. universities completed online and paper assessments. Sixty-six percent reported exposure to a Criterion A trauma. Nine percent met criteria for PTSD. Female gender was a risk factor for trauma exposure. Gender and socioeconomic status (SES) were associated with trauma severity. Although in bivariate models, gender and SES were associated with PTSD, multivariate analyses suggested this risk was a function of trauma severity. Thus, students enter college with significant trauma histories and PTSD symptoms. Findings highlight the potential for outreach to incoming students with trauma and point to research directions to enhance understanding of the psychological needs of entering college students.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo.
authors.forename: Jennifer P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Read
authors.affiliation: Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, and Syracuse University.
authors.forename: Paige
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ouimette
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
authors.forename: Jacquelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo.
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colder
authors.affiliation: Center for Integrated Healthcare, Syracuse VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, and Syracuse University.
authors.forename: Sherry
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farrow
keywords: PTSD; college; gender; socio-demographic risk; trauma