Previous studies of veterans have linked posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after combat-related trauma to increased reports of health problems. It is unclear whether this association between PTSD and increased health problems generalises to civilians who are exposed to a broader array of traumatic events. We also do not know whether trauma exposure is associated with increased health problems in individuals who do not develop PTSD. Using a non-treatment-seeking civilian sample, the authors examined whether lifetime PTSD or trauma exposure by itself was associated with current health problems. Using a cross-sectional design and self-report measures, the authors evaluated urban Canadian bus drivers (n = 342) on trauma exposure, lifetime PTSD, and current health problems. Based on their responses, the authors divided their sample into individuals who had never experienced trauma (n = 91), trauma-exposed individuals who had never developed PTSD (n = 218), and persons who developed PTSD at some point after trauma (n = 33). The authors compared these groups on health problems, treatment service use, and health assessment measures. The PTSD group reported increased health complaints, more frequent use of health treatments, and poorer health self-ratings compared with the exposed non-PTSD and nonexposed groups. Trauma-exposed drivers without PTSD did not differ from unexposed drivers on any health measures. Controlling for sex and trauma frequency did not alter the authors' findings. Trauma exposure that leads to PTSD is associated with increased health problems, while trauma exposure alone is not. The results extend previous findings to a broader civilian context and clarify associations between trauma exposure and health. (A)
Samenvatting