Prediction of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder From Peritraumatic Dissociation and Distress Among Men and Women Victims of Violent Crimes

ABSTRACT

This prospective study evaluated the main and interactive effects of peritraumatic reactions with gender on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) onset, independently of known risk factors. Further, 111 adult victims of violent crime completed the Structured Clinical Interview, the Modified PTSD Symptom Scale, the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experience Questionnaire, and the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory. Hierarchical regressions and chi-square tests were conducted for continuous and categorical measures of PTSD. Extremely elevated scores of peritraumatic dissociation (PD) and peritraumatic distress (PDI) were obtained for both sexes. Greater PDI and PD were related to more PTSD symptoms. No significant interaction effects with gender emerged. These results remained when acute stress disorder was controlled for. Analyses on categorical data produced similar results. Victims of violent crimes recall severe peritraumatic reactions. The more severe these are, the more likely they are to develop significant PTSD symptomatology in the months that follow.

KEYWORDS:

• Gender
• peritraumatic dissociation
• peritraumatic distress
• posttraumatic stress disorder
• victims
• violent crimes

Funding

This research was supported by grants awarded to Dr Guay by the Canadian Institutes of Health and Research. Julie Boisclair Demarble was supported by a Masters’ scholarship from the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec and by various bursaries awarded from the department of psychology.

Acknowledgments

The authors would also like to thank Quebec’s Crime Victim’s Assistance Centers of Montreal and the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal for their generous support of this study.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by grants awarded to Dr Guay by the Canadian Institutes of Health and Research. Julie Boisclair Demarble was supported by a Masters’ scholarship from the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec and by various bursaries awarded from the department of psychology.