Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2025

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
08:25

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Published on: December 6, 2024

283

Excess costs of post-traumatic stress disorder related to child maltreatment in Germany

Thomas Grochtdreis1, Hans-Helmut König1, Falk Leichsenring2,3

  • 1Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, Hamburg Center for Health Economics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

European Psychiatry : the Journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists
|January 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Childhood maltreatment (CM) significantly increases the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study found substantial excess costs for healthcare and absenteeism in Germany, with absenteeism comprising about half of the total burden.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Health Economics
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Childhood maltreatment (CM) is a significant risk factor for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • PTSD prevalence in Europe is higher than previously estimated.
  • The economic burden of PTSD is substantial, but costs specific to PTSD with CM in Germany are under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the excess healthcare and absenteeism costs associated with PTSD in individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment (PTSD-CM) in Germany.
  • To compare these costs to individuals without PTSD.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized baseline data from a multi-center randomized controlled trial for individuals with PTSD-CM (n=361) and data from individuals without PTSD (n=4760).
  • Employed entropy balancing to ensure sociodemographic comparability between groups.
  • Calculated six-month excess costs from a societal perspective in 2022 using two-part models.

Main Results:

  • The total six-month excess costs for PTSD-CM were €8864 per person.
  • Excess healthcare costs were €4647 and excess absenteeism costs were €4217 per person.
  • Individuals with severe to extreme PTSD symptoms incurred higher excess costs (€11,433) compared to those with mild to moderate symptoms (€6038).

Conclusions:

  • Excess healthcare and absenteeism costs linked to PTSD-CM are substantial in Germany.
  • Absenteeism represents approximately half of the total excess costs associated with PTSD-CM.
  • These findings highlight the significant economic impact of childhood maltreatment on individuals with PTSD.
Abstract

Keywords:
GermanyHealth care usechild abusecost of illnesshealth services researchpost-traumatic stress disorder

More Related Videos

Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting11:31

Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting

Published on: November 30, 2015

16.0K
Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder09:55

Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder

Published on: March 8, 2018

12.3K

Related Concept Videos

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder01:27

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
27
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
50
Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
71
Dissociative Identity Disorder01:30

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously termed multiple personality disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states. Each identity exhibits unique patterns of behavior, voice, and mannerisms and may possess separate memories and emotional responses. The alternating control between identities can result in memory gaps and challenges in recalling daily activities, often exacerbating the individual's...
19
Repressed Memory01:16

Repressed Memory

Repressed memories are a psychological phenomenon where memories of traumatic events are unconsciously blocked from a person's awareness. This process occurs as a defense mechanism, protecting the mind from the emotional impact of distressing or painful experiences. For example, a person who has experienced childhood trauma may grow up with no conscious recollection of the event. In such cases, the memories are thought to be buried deep within the subconscious, inaccessible to the conscious...
59