Background:
Research identifying vulnerability and resilience factors that may affect an individual's likelihood of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is hampered by the dearth of information on those who are resilient and, although exposed to the trauma, remain unaffected by it.
Methods:
Such a study eventuated in Canberra where the Centre for Mental Health Research is conducting a longitudinal study of over 7000 participants from three age groups. Reinterviewed participants were asked about their level of exposure and reaction to this trauma and their fire-related PTSD symptoms. Information on a range of sociodemographic, health and personality measures was collected both before and after the trauma.
Results:
Almost 80% of Wave 2 respondents were exposed to the fire, while around 2000 reported having experienced fire-related PTSD symptoms in the week prior to their interview. Structural equation modeling of pre-trauma risk and resilience factors associated with PTSD symptoms was undertaken. When level of exposure and immediate reaction to the fire were taken into account, pre-trauma resilience measures had the greatest impact on PTSD symptoms. Those with higher levels of resilience were significantly less likely to report PTSD symptoms.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that reducing risk of PTSD by increasing individuals' levels of resilience in the face of specific traumas has the potential to be an effective strategy to limit the negative psychological impact of trauma exposure.
