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Public Mental Health Clients with Severe Mental Illness and Probable Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Trauma Exposure and Correlates of Symptom Severity
Author(s) -
Lu Weili,
Yanos Philip T.,
Silverstein Steven M.,
Mueser Kim T.,
Rosenberg Stanley D.,
Gottlieb Jennifer D.,
Duva Stephanie Marcello,
Kularatne Thanuja,
DoveWilliams Stephanie,
Paterno Danielle,
Hawthorne Danielle,
Giacobbe Giovanna
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.21791
Subject(s) - psychiatry , mental health , mental illness , posttraumatic stress , anxiety disorder , clinical psychology , sexual abuse , public health , psychology , injury prevention , poison control , medicine , anxiety , medical emergency , nursing
Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) are at greatly increased risk for trauma exposure and for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study reports findings from a large, comprehensive screening of trauma and PTSD symptoms among public mental health clients in a statewide community mental health system. In 851 individuals with SMI and probable PTSD, childhood sexual abuse was the most commonly endorsed index trauma, followed closely by the sudden death of a loved one. Participants had typically experienced an average of 7 types of traumatic events in their lifetime. The number of types of traumatic events experienced and Hispanic ethnicity were significantly associated with PTSD symptom severity. Clients reported experiencing PTSD in relation to events that occurred on average 20 years earlier, suggesting the clinical need to address trauma and loss throughout the lifespan, including their prolonged after‐effects.