Comparing PTSD symptom networks in type I vs. type II trauma survivors
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
Background: Network analysis has gained increasing attention as a new framework to study complex associations between symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A number of studies have been published to investigate symptom networks on different sets of symptoms in different populations, and the findings have been inconsistent. Objective: We aimed to extend previous research by testing whether differences in PTSD symptom networks can be found in survivors of type I (single event; sudden and unexpected, high levels of acute threat) vs. type II (repeated and/or protracted; anticipated) trauma (with regard to their index trauma). Method: Participants were trauma-exposed individuals with elevated levels of PTSD symptomatology, most of whom (94%) were undergoing assessment in preparation for PTSD treatment in several treatment centres in Germany and Switzerland (n = 286 with type I and n = 187 with type II trauma). We estimated Bayesian Gaussian graphical models for each trauma group and explored group differences in the symptom network. Results: First, for both trauma types, our analyses identified the edges that were repeatedly reported in previous network studies. Second, there was decisive evidence that the two networks were generated from different multivariate normal distributions, i.e. the networks differed on a global level. Third, explorative edge-wise comparisons showed moderate or strong evidence for specific 12 edges. Edges which emerged as especially important in distinguishing the networks were between intrusions and flashbacks, highlighting the stronger positive association in the group of type II trauma survivors compared to type I survivors. Flashbacks showed a similar pattern of results in the associations with detachment and sleep problems (type II > type I). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that trauma type contributes to the heterogeneity in the symptom network. Future research on PTSD symptom networks should include this variable in the analyses to reduce heterogeneity.
Details
Original language | English |
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Article number | 2114260 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | European journal of psychotraumatology : official organ of the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) |
Volume | 13 (2022) |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - 21 Sept 2022 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
External IDs
PubMedCentral | PMC9518442 |
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Scopus | 85138531196 |
Mendeley | 869139a0-5eb9-3de7-b594-56e10cd11419 |
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goals
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- Attention, Bayes Theorem, Humans, Problem Behavior, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/complications, Survivors, Bayesian graphical Gaussian models, PTSD, network comparison, trauma type, network analysis