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Traumatic events and physical health in a community sample

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Journal of Traumatic Stress

Abstract

The relationship of traumatic events to physical health was examined in a randomized community survey (N=2,364) of Los Angeles residents, 16% of whom had experienced a lifetime traumatic event. This study tested hypotheses that individuals experiencing traumatic events have poorer physical health and that the negative impact of traumatic events on physical health is greater among disadvantaged sociodemographic groups. Regression analyses showed that respondents with a traumatic event history indicated poorer perceptions of their physical health, more chronic limitations in physical functioning, and more chronic medical conditions compared with respondents without such a history, while controlling for demographics, psychiatric history, and other stressful life events. The association of traumatic events with poorer physical health among vulnerable sociodemographic groups was partially supported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Criminal Justice, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1007 West Harrison Street, 60607-7140, Chicago, Illinois

    Sarah E. Ullman

  2. School of Public Health, University of California, 90024, Los Angeles, California

    Judith M. Siegel

Authors
  1. Sarah E. Ullman
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  2. Judith M. Siegel
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Ullman, S.E., Siegel, J.M. Traumatic events and physical health in a community sample. J Trauma Stress 9, 703–720 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02104098

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