The network approach to posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review
Marianne Skogbrott Birkeland1, Talya Greene2, Tobias Raphael Spiller3
1Section for Implementation and Treatment Research, Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway.
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
|February 1, 2020
Summary
Network analysis of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) reveals amnesia as the least central symptom. Further research is needed to understand variations in PTSS network structures.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Network Science
Background:
- Empirical literature on network analysis of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) has expanded significantly.
- Previous research has explored various samples and analytical methods in PTSS network studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review characteristics of PTSS network studies.
- To identify the most and least central symptoms and strongest connections within PTSS networks.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 20 cross-sectional PTSS network studies published between January 2010 and November 2018.
- Searches conducted in PsycInfo, Medline, and Web of Science databases.
- Analysis focused on study characteristics, symptom centrality, and edge weights.
Main Results:
- Network studies examined diverse samples with consistent analytical approaches, including stability analysis.
- Strength centrality demonstrated adequate stability across studies.
- Amnesia was consistently the least central symptom; highest centrality varied, and strongest connections were within symptom clusters.
Conclusions:
- Heterogeneity in PTSS network structures may stem from sample differences or methodological variations.
- Hypothesis-driven research is recommended to elucidate the causes of this heterogeneity.
Keywords:
Network analysisPTSDsystematic review• This is the first preregistered systematic review of network analysis of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSD).• There is considerable heterogeneity in the current cross-sectional network studies of posttraumatic stress symptoms.• Future investigations of PTSD from a network perspective should aim to explain this heterogeneity, conduct intensive longitudinal studies of PTSD, and develop a network theoretical account of PTSD.More Related Videos
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