| Abstract [eng] |
Links between trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress in adolescence Exposure to traumatic events is associated with serious impairment of mental health: individuals who experience such events are at risk of various psychological disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). Compared to other age groups, adolescents are at a very high risk of trauma exposure, although research on adolescent trauma exposure and trauma related disorders is lacking. Having the knowledge about longterm consequenses of traumatic events, such as interpersonal violence, and the lack of data about trauma exposure in Lithuanian youth, a sample of 193 (107 girls and 85 boys) teenagers aged 12 – 16 (M = 13,86, SD = 1,251), who reported exposure to at least one traumatic event, was assesed. Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) was used to asses traumatic events and ICD - 11 Child and Adolescent International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ-CA) was used to asses symptoms of PTSD and CPTSD. The lifetime prevalence of traumatic events was on average 2,27 (SD = 1,53). Serious accidents, direct and indirect exposure to physical violence and stressful medical procedures were experienced the most. 18 (9,3 %) participants met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and 23 (11,9 %) for CPTSD. Posttraumatic avoidance reaction was experienced most often (68,9 %) along with one of CPTSD symptoms – affective dysregulation (60,6 %). Predictors of PTSD included exposure to multiple traumatic events, physical violence, sexual violence, alcohol abuse and female sex. Predictors of CPTSD included exposure to multiple traumatic events, direct and indirect exposure to physical violence, and alcohol abuse. |
