Differences associated with different prior mental disorders among earthquake-exposed treatment-seeking individuals
Background History of prior mental disorder, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), increases risk for PTSD following subsequent trauma exposure. However, limited research has examined differences associated with specific prior mental disorders among people with PTSD. Aims The current...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BJPsych Open |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472424008196/type/journal_article |
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| author | Cate F. Woods Virginia V. W. McIntosh Christopher M. Frampton Frances A. Carter Helen C. Colhoun Jennifer Jordan Rebekah A. Smith Caroline Bell |
| author_facet | Cate F. Woods Virginia V. W. McIntosh Christopher M. Frampton Frances A. Carter Helen C. Colhoun Jennifer Jordan Rebekah A. Smith Caroline Bell |
| author_sort | Cate F. Woods |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background
History of prior mental disorder, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), increases risk for PTSD following subsequent trauma exposure. However, limited research has examined differences associated with specific prior mental disorders among people with PTSD.
Aims
The current study examined whether different prior mental disorders were associated with meaningful differences among individuals presenting to a specialist service for severe earthquake-related distress following the Canterbury earthquakes (N = 177).
Method
Two sets of comparisons were made: between participants with no history of prior disorder and participants with history of any prior disorder; and between participants with history of prior PTSD and those with history of other prior disorders. Comparisons were made in relation to sociodemographic factors, earthquake exposure, peri-traumatic distress, life events and current psychological functioning.
Results
Participants with any prior mental disorder had more current disorders than those with no prior disorder. Among participants with history of any prior disorder, those with prior PTSD reported more life events in the past 5 years than those with other prior disorders.
Conclusions
Findings suggest a history of any prior mental disorder contributes to increased clinical complexity, but not increased PTSD severity, among people with PTSD seeking treatment. Although post-disaster screening efforts should include those with prior mental disorders, it should also be recognised that those with no prior disorders are also at risk of developing equally severe PTSD.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-184d3fab64c848b5958b19c57de72000 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2056-4724 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BJPsych Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-184d3fab64c848b5958b19c57de720002025-01-16T21:49:20ZengCambridge University PressBJPsych Open2056-47242025-01-011110.1192/bjo.2024.819Differences associated with different prior mental disorders among earthquake-exposed treatment-seeking individualsCate F. Woods0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1063-5088Virginia V. W. McIntosh1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1957-1631Christopher M. Frampton2Frances A. Carter3Helen C. Colhoun4Jennifer Jordan5https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4699-6301Rebekah A. Smith6Caroline Bell7https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3423-5169School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, University of Canterbury, New ZealandSchool of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, University of Canterbury, New ZealandDepartment of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealandnot currently workingTe Whatu Ora – Waitaha Canterbury (Health New Zealand), New ZealandDepartment of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand; and Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha Canterbury (Health New Zealand), New ZealandTe Whatu Ora – Waitaha Canterbury (Health New Zealand), New ZealandDepartment of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New ZealandBackground History of prior mental disorder, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), increases risk for PTSD following subsequent trauma exposure. However, limited research has examined differences associated with specific prior mental disorders among people with PTSD. Aims The current study examined whether different prior mental disorders were associated with meaningful differences among individuals presenting to a specialist service for severe earthquake-related distress following the Canterbury earthquakes (N = 177). Method Two sets of comparisons were made: between participants with no history of prior disorder and participants with history of any prior disorder; and between participants with history of prior PTSD and those with history of other prior disorders. Comparisons were made in relation to sociodemographic factors, earthquake exposure, peri-traumatic distress, life events and current psychological functioning. Results Participants with any prior mental disorder had more current disorders than those with no prior disorder. Among participants with history of any prior disorder, those with prior PTSD reported more life events in the past 5 years than those with other prior disorders. Conclusions Findings suggest a history of any prior mental disorder contributes to increased clinical complexity, but not increased PTSD severity, among people with PTSD seeking treatment. Although post-disaster screening efforts should include those with prior mental disorders, it should also be recognised that those with no prior disorders are also at risk of developing equally severe PTSD. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472424008196/type/journal_articlePost-traumatic stress disorderadjustment disordersnatural disasterearthquaketrauma and stressor-related disorders |
| spellingShingle | Cate F. Woods Virginia V. W. McIntosh Christopher M. Frampton Frances A. Carter Helen C. Colhoun Jennifer Jordan Rebekah A. Smith Caroline Bell Differences associated with different prior mental disorders among earthquake-exposed treatment-seeking individuals BJPsych Open Post-traumatic stress disorder adjustment disorders natural disaster earthquake trauma and stressor-related disorders |
| title | Differences associated with different prior mental disorders among earthquake-exposed treatment-seeking individuals |
| title_full | Differences associated with different prior mental disorders among earthquake-exposed treatment-seeking individuals |
| title_fullStr | Differences associated with different prior mental disorders among earthquake-exposed treatment-seeking individuals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Differences associated with different prior mental disorders among earthquake-exposed treatment-seeking individuals |
| title_short | Differences associated with different prior mental disorders among earthquake-exposed treatment-seeking individuals |
| title_sort | differences associated with different prior mental disorders among earthquake exposed treatment seeking individuals |
| topic | Post-traumatic stress disorder adjustment disorders natural disaster earthquake trauma and stressor-related disorders |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056472424008196/type/journal_article |
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