Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Category
Social Sciences/Humanities
Abstract/Artist Statement
Outside of military contexts, limited research explores who experiences trauma/stress related to causing harm to others, the frequency of this type of potentially traumatic event (PTE), and the most relevant symptoms. The current study includes an online global sample who reported experiencing a difficult or frightening event. In reference to the identified PTE, participants completed the Global Psychotrauma Screen (GPS). The GPS is a self-report measure offered in 21 languages and consists of 22 yes/no items related to the experience of 17 psychological symptoms within the past month (items cover subdomains of PTSD, complex PTSD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, self-harm, dissociation, substance abuse, and other stress-related problems). The five remaining items assess lack of support, psychiatric history, other stressful events, childhood trauma, and resilience. 345 out of 8992 described their PTE as involving “causing harm to others”. Compared to those reporting non-perpetration PTEs, those with perpetration-related PTEs reported significantly higher GPS total score (t(8992) = 7.60, p < .001, d = 0.42). More specifically, those in the causing harm group reported significantly higher scores on several symptom domains including PTSD (t(8992) = 6.82, p < .001, d = 0.38). Characteristics of those reporting perpetrator-related PTEs and specific symptom profiles were also explored. Present findings provide further insight to the potential impacts of a PTE that relates to harming others.
Mentor Name
Rachel Williamson
Transdiagnostic Responses To and Characteristics Of Potentially Traumatic Events Involving Causing Harm To Others
UC North Ballroom
Outside of military contexts, limited research explores who experiences trauma/stress related to causing harm to others, the frequency of this type of potentially traumatic event (PTE), and the most relevant symptoms. The current study includes an online global sample who reported experiencing a difficult or frightening event. In reference to the identified PTE, participants completed the Global Psychotrauma Screen (GPS). The GPS is a self-report measure offered in 21 languages and consists of 22 yes/no items related to the experience of 17 psychological symptoms within the past month (items cover subdomains of PTSD, complex PTSD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, self-harm, dissociation, substance abuse, and other stress-related problems). The five remaining items assess lack of support, psychiatric history, other stressful events, childhood trauma, and resilience. 345 out of 8992 described their PTE as involving “causing harm to others”. Compared to those reporting non-perpetration PTEs, those with perpetration-related PTEs reported significantly higher GPS total score (t(8992) = 7.60, p < .001, d = 0.42). More specifically, those in the causing harm group reported significantly higher scores on several symptom domains including PTSD (t(8992) = 6.82, p < .001, d = 0.38). Characteristics of those reporting perpetrator-related PTEs and specific symptom profiles were also explored. Present findings provide further insight to the potential impacts of a PTE that relates to harming others.