NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Association of peritraumatic dissociation with symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.

McCanlies EC; Sarkisian K; Andrew ME; Burchfiel CM; Violanti JM

Psychol Trauma 2017 Jul; 9(4):479-484

https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000215

20049430

In this study, we evaluated whether peritraumatic dissociation (PD) was associated with symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and whether this association was modified by trauma prior to police work. Method: Symptoms of depression, PTSD, peritraumatic dissociative experience (PDE),andtraumapriortopoliceworkweremeasuredusingtheCenterforEpidemiologic Studies Depression scale, PTSD Checklist-Civilian, PDE questionnaire, and the Brief Trauma questionnaire, respectively, in 328 police officers. Separate regression models were used to assess if either symptoms of depression or PTSD were associated with PD stratified by prior trauma. Means were adjusted for race, number of drinks per week, and smoking. Results: PD was associated with symptoms of PTSD and depression B = 0.65, p < .001 and B = 0.27, p < .001, respectively).PD was positively associated with symptoms of PTSD regardless of prior trauma B = 0.61, p < .001(without prior trauma), 0.75, p < .001 (with prior trauma). In contrast to PTSD, depression symptoms were significantly associated with PD scores in individuals with prior trauma B = 0.47, p < .001), but not in individuals without prior trauma B = 0.13, p = .165). Limitations: This is across-sectional study. Outcomes were obtained via self-report and were not clinically diagnosed. Aspects of both the trauma event as well as the symptoms and severity of PD may have introduced recall bias. Conclusion: These results add to the literature indicating that PD plays a role in symptoms of PTSD and depression and how prior trauma may modify this relationship.

PTSD; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Police officers; Law enforcement workers; Questionnaires; Humans; Men; Women; Models; Racial factors; Alcohols; Smoking; Statistical analysis; Psychology; Psychological effects; Psychological stress; Exposure levels; Risk factors; Biological effects; Author Keywords: depression; PTSD; posttramatic stress disorder; peritraumatic dissociation; prior trauma

Erin C. McCanlies, Health Effects Laboratory Division, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Branch,National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505

20170701

Journal Article

EIM4@cdc.gov

Contract; Grant

2017

Grant-Number-R01-OH-010807; Contract-200-2003-01580

4

1942-9681

HELD

Public Safety

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy

NY; WV

State University of New York at Buffalo