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Prevalence and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in physically injured victims of non-domestic violence

A longitudinal study

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Abstract

Background

Victims of violent assault experience diverse post-event emotional problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and they may have multiple emotional problems. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of PTSD in a longitudinal design.

Methods

The levels of physical injury, perceived life threat, prior experience of violence, peritraumatic dissociation (PD), acute PTSD, perceived self-efficacy and perceived social support are considered possible predictors. This study had a single group (N = 70), longitudinal design with three repeated measures over a period of 12 months. Questionnaires used were: Impact of Event Scale-15 and 22 (IES-15 and 22), Post-Traumatic Symptom Scale-10 (PTSS-10), Peritraumatic Dissociation (PD) 7-item self-report measure, Social Provisions Scale (SPS) and Generalized Self-Efficacy scale (GSE).

Results

Results showed a high prevalence and severity of PTSD on all outcomes, for instance 31% scored as probable PTSD-cases and 14% as risk level cases by IES-15 at T3. Either injury severity or prior experience of being a victim of violence predicted PTSD in this study. Early PTSD predicted subsequent PTSD, and perceived life threat was a predictor of PD. Furthermore, lack of perceived social support was a predictor of PTSD symptoms at T3. In addition, low perceived self-efficacy was a predictor of PTSD and influenced perceived social support at T1.

Conclusions

Our results showed that experience of non-domestic violence may cause serious chronic emotional problems, and therefore it is important to be aware of early symptoms indicating needs for special follow-ups.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the local police and the local outpatient workers in Bergen and Oslo for assisting with the recruitment of victims of violence. The authors acknowledge psychiatrist Páll Eiriksson for his support and in particular for his evaluation of the victims for their possible need for intensive care. Most of all, we thank the participants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health, Buskerud University College, Buskerud, Norway

    Venke A. Johansen

  2. Resource Centre on Violence, Traumatic Stress and Suicide Prevention, Western Norway (RVTS-West) Helse Bergen, Haukeland University Hospital, Postboks 1, 5021, Bergen, Norway

    Venke A. Johansen

  3. University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Astrid K. Wahl PhD & Dag Erik Eilertsen

  4. Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Lars Weisaeth MD, PhD

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  1. Venke A. Johansen
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  2. Astrid K. Wahl PhD
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  3. Dag Erik Eilertsen
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  4. Lars Weisaeth MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Venke A. Johansen.

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Johansen, V.A., Wahl, A.K., Eilertsen, D.E. et al. Prevalence and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in physically injured victims of non-domestic violence. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 42, 583–593 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-007-0205-0

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