Abstract
Objective: A recent meta-analysis found that DSM-III- and DSM-IV-defined traumas were associated with only slightly higher posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms than nontraumatic stressors. The current study is the first to examine whether DSM-5-defined traumas were associated with higher levels of PTSD than DSM-IV-defined traumas. Further, we examined theoretically relevant event characteristics to determine whether characteristics other than those outlined in the DSM could predict PTSD symptoms. Method: One hundred six women who had experienced a trauma or significant stressor completed questionnaires assessing PTSD, depression, impairment, and event characteristics. Events were rated for whether they qualified as DSM-IV and DSM-5 trauma. Results: There were no significant differences between DSM-IV-defined traumas and stressors. For DSM-5, effect sizes were slightly larger but still nonsignificant (except for significantly higher hyperarousal following traumas vs. stressors). Self-reported fear for one's life significantly predicted PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the current DSM-5 definition of trauma, although a slight improvement from DSM-IV, is not highly predictive of who develops PTSD symptoms. Our study also indicates the importance of individual perception of life threat in the prediction of PTSD.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 373-378 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Psychopathology |
| Volume | 50 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2018 |
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Keywords
- Criterion A
- DSM
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Stressors
- Traumatic events
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
Did the DSM-5 Improve the Traumatic Stressor Criterion? Association of DSM-IV and DSM-5 Criterion A with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms. / Larsen, Sadie E.; Berenbaum, Howard.
In: Psychopathology, Vol. 50, No. 6, 01.01.2018, p. 373-378.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Did the DSM-5 Improve the Traumatic Stressor Criterion?
T2 - Association of DSM-IV and DSM-5 Criterion A with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
AU - Larsen, Sadie E.
AU - Berenbaum, Howard
PY - 2018/1/1
Y1 - 2018/1/1
N2 - Objective: A recent meta-analysis found that DSM-III- and DSM-IV-defined traumas were associated with only slightly higher posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms than nontraumatic stressors. The current study is the first to examine whether DSM-5-defined traumas were associated with higher levels of PTSD than DSM-IV-defined traumas. Further, we examined theoretically relevant event characteristics to determine whether characteristics other than those outlined in the DSM could predict PTSD symptoms. Method: One hundred six women who had experienced a trauma or significant stressor completed questionnaires assessing PTSD, depression, impairment, and event characteristics. Events were rated for whether they qualified as DSM-IV and DSM-5 trauma. Results: There were no significant differences between DSM-IV-defined traumas and stressors. For DSM-5, effect sizes were slightly larger but still nonsignificant (except for significantly higher hyperarousal following traumas vs. stressors). Self-reported fear for one's life significantly predicted PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the current DSM-5 definition of trauma, although a slight improvement from DSM-IV, is not highly predictive of who develops PTSD symptoms. Our study also indicates the importance of individual perception of life threat in the prediction of PTSD.
AB - Objective: A recent meta-analysis found that DSM-III- and DSM-IV-defined traumas were associated with only slightly higher posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms than nontraumatic stressors. The current study is the first to examine whether DSM-5-defined traumas were associated with higher levels of PTSD than DSM-IV-defined traumas. Further, we examined theoretically relevant event characteristics to determine whether characteristics other than those outlined in the DSM could predict PTSD symptoms. Method: One hundred six women who had experienced a trauma or significant stressor completed questionnaires assessing PTSD, depression, impairment, and event characteristics. Events were rated for whether they qualified as DSM-IV and DSM-5 trauma. Results: There were no significant differences between DSM-IV-defined traumas and stressors. For DSM-5, effect sizes were slightly larger but still nonsignificant (except for significantly higher hyperarousal following traumas vs. stressors). Self-reported fear for one's life significantly predicted PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the current DSM-5 definition of trauma, although a slight improvement from DSM-IV, is not highly predictive of who develops PTSD symptoms. Our study also indicates the importance of individual perception of life threat in the prediction of PTSD.
KW - Criterion A
KW - DSM
KW - Posttraumatic stress disorder
KW - Stressors
KW - Traumatic events
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85034818655&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1159/000481950
DO - 10.1159/000481950
M3 - Article
C2 - 29145192
AN - SCOPUS:85034818655
VL - 50
SP - 373
EP - 378
JO - Psychopathology
JF - Psychopathology
SN - 0254-4962
IS - 6
ER -