TY - JOUR
T1 - Trajectories of traumatic stress symptoms during conflict
T2 - A latent class growth analysis
AU - Greene, T.
AU - Gelkopf, M.
AU - Grinapol, S.
AU - Werbeloff, N.
AU - Carlson, E.
AU - Lapid, L.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2017/10/1
Y1 - 2017/10/1
N2 - Background The ways in which traumatic stress symptoms unfold under situations of ongoing threat and trauma exposure are poorly understood. The current study aims to identify traumatic stress symptom trajectories during conflict, as well as potential risk factors. Methods Experience sampling methods were used to study traumatic stress symptoms during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict in 100 Israeli civilians exposed to rocket fire. Summary reports of traumatic symptoms were made twice-daily for 30 days via mobile phone. Results Latent class growth analysis revealed four distinct classes (low, reducing, moderate, and high) characterised by their trajectory of traumatic stress symptoms during the conflict. Female gender, not being in a relationship, and higher prior trauma exposure were identified as potential risk factors. Limitations Data were not collected in the early phase of the conflict, the sample was relatively small, and only traumatic stress symptoms were investigated as outcomes. Conclusions This study identified heterogeneous traumatic stress symptom trajectories among civilians during a conflict, with different subgroups showing distinct response patterns over time, associated with various risk factors. Investigating responses to ongoing trauma, and identifying predictors of different stress symptom trajectories has clinical implications for the targeted delivery of interventions. Further exploration of heterogeneous trajectories could potentially elucidate mechanisms that drive resilience and recovery, including in situations of ongoing exposure such as during conflict.
AB - Background The ways in which traumatic stress symptoms unfold under situations of ongoing threat and trauma exposure are poorly understood. The current study aims to identify traumatic stress symptom trajectories during conflict, as well as potential risk factors. Methods Experience sampling methods were used to study traumatic stress symptoms during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict in 100 Israeli civilians exposed to rocket fire. Summary reports of traumatic symptoms were made twice-daily for 30 days via mobile phone. Results Latent class growth analysis revealed four distinct classes (low, reducing, moderate, and high) characterised by their trajectory of traumatic stress symptoms during the conflict. Female gender, not being in a relationship, and higher prior trauma exposure were identified as potential risk factors. Limitations Data were not collected in the early phase of the conflict, the sample was relatively small, and only traumatic stress symptoms were investigated as outcomes. Conclusions This study identified heterogeneous traumatic stress symptom trajectories among civilians during a conflict, with different subgroups showing distinct response patterns over time, associated with various risk factors. Investigating responses to ongoing trauma, and identifying predictors of different stress symptom trajectories has clinical implications for the targeted delivery of interventions. Further exploration of heterogeneous trajectories could potentially elucidate mechanisms that drive resilience and recovery, including in situations of ongoing exposure such as during conflict.
KW - Ambulatory assessment
KW - Experience sampling method
KW - Heterogeneity
KW - Latent class growth analysis
KW - PTSD
KW - War
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85020020973&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jad.2017.05.036
DO - 10.1016/j.jad.2017.05.036
M3 - ???researchoutput.researchoutputtypes.contributiontojournal.article???
C2 - 28577426
AN - SCOPUS:85020020973
SN - 0165-0327
VL - 220
SP - 24
EP - 30
JO - Journal of Affective Disorders
JF - Journal of Affective Disorders
ER -