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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Network Structures: A Comparison Between Men and Women
Natalie G Gay1, Blair E Wisco1, Eric C Jones2
1Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.
Journal of Traumatic Stress
|February 20, 2020
Summary
This study examined gender differences in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom networks in Latin America. While some central symptoms varied by gender, the overall PTSD symptom network structure did not significantly differ between men and women.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Network Analysis
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant mental health concern following trauma.
- Understanding the structure of PTSD symptoms and potential gender differences is crucial for effective treatment.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated gender-specific network structures of PTSD symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate gender differences in the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom network structure.
- To compare the unique associations across PTSD symptoms between male and female adults in a Latin American sample.
- To identify central symptoms and network stability in relation to gender.
Main Methods:
- Network analysis was applied to data from 1,104 adults in Mexico and Ecuador, following natural disasters and accidents.
- Symptoms of DSM-IV PTSD were assessed using the Spanish version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.
- The PTSD symptom network structure, centrality, stability, and community structure were estimated for the full sample and gender-specific subsamples. Statistical comparison was performed using the Network Comparison Test (NCT).
Main Results:
- Strength centrality was the only stable centrality measure across gender networks.
- The most central symptoms differed: loss of interest and flashbacks for men; concentration impairment, avoiding thoughts/feelings, and physiological reactivity for women.
- The global structure (M = 0.84) and global strength (S = 5.04) of male and female PTSD symptom networks did not differ significantly.
Conclusions:
- While some gender-specific central symptoms were observed in PTSD networks, pending replication, these findings suggest limited gender differences in the overall symptom association structure.
- The network structure of PTSD symptoms appears largely consistent between men and women once the disorder develops.
- This study contributes to understanding PTSD heterogeneity and provides a foundation for gender-informed, network-based interventions.
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