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Gender differences in susceptibility to posttraumatic stress disorder
M B Stein1, J R Walker, D R Forde
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0985, USA. mstein@ucsd.edu
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|June 10, 2000
Summary
Women face a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after trauma exposure compared to men. This increased susceptibility, particularly after violent events, warrants further investigation in traumatic stress research.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Trauma Studies
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects individuals differently based on gender.
- Previous research indicates higher PTSD prevalence in women, but the underlying factors require further exploration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors contributing to the higher incidence of PTSD in women compared to men.
- To analyze the impact of trauma type, severity, and associated reactions on PTSD risk by gender.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of community survey data on trauma exposure and DSM-IV PTSD diagnoses in Winnipeg, Canada.
- Statistical examination of gender-specific risks for PTSD, controlling for trauma characteristics and event-related reactions.
Main Results:
- Women exhibit a significantly higher risk of PTSD following serious trauma (OR ≈ 5), even when excluding sexual trauma (OR ≈ 3).
- This increased risk persists regardless of gender differences in lifetime trauma count or specific trauma-related reactions.
- Women are at higher risk for PTSD after nonsexual assaultive violence but not non-assaultive trauma.
Conclusions:
- Women demonstrate a heightened vulnerability to PTSD following traumatic events, particularly violent ones.
- Understanding the specific mechanisms behind this gender-based susceptibility is crucial for future research and intervention strategies in traumatic stress.