Higher Education Students and Trauma: PTSD, Treatment Gap and Help-Seeking Challenges

Exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) is common in students and might lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Nevertheless, population-based information about PTSD in students is lacking in the Netherlands. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of PTEs, PTSD, help-seeking behavior, treatment history, and help-seeking barriers in a population-based sample of Dutch students. A total of 270 students (M_age = 20.7 years, SD_age = 3.5 years) completed online self-report questionnaires, including the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5), the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). The lifetime prevalence of any PTE was 79.3%. Bullying and an unwanted sexual experience were the most frequent self-experienced PTEs during the study years. The prevalence of probable lifetime Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) PTSD was 22.2%, current DSM-5 PTSD was 2.6%, and current complex PTSD (CPTSD) was 4.1%. Of the students with probable lifetime PTSD, only one-quarter received first-line trauma-focused treatment. Common reasons for not seeking help included avoidance, shame, and lack of knowledge. In conclusion, PTSD prevalence is high in Dutch students compared to the general population. The treatment gap and the discovered barriers underline the importance of education about PTSD and treatment options, to raise awareness and increase access to treatment.