Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Profiles in Traumatized Refugees

We examined PTSD and CPTSD symptom profiles (co ‐occurring PTSD and disturbances in self‐organization [DSO] symptoms) and their premigration, postmigration, and demographic predictors, using latent class analysis (LCA), in a cohort of 112 refugees resettled in Australia. The LCA identified a four‐factor model as the best fit to the data, co mprising classes categorized as: (a) CPTSD, exhibiting high levels of PTSD and DSO symptoms (29.5%); (b) PTSD only (23.5%); (c) high affective dysregulation (AD) symptoms (31.9%); and (d) low PTSD and DSO symptoms (15.1%). Membership in the CPTSD and PTSD classes was specifically associated with cum ulative traumatization, CPTSDOR = 1.56, 95% CI [1.15, 2.12], and PTSDOR = 1.64, 95% CI [1.15, 2.34]; and female gender, CPTSDOR = 14.18, 95% CI [1.66, 121.29], and PTSDOR = 16.84, 95% CI [1.78, 159.2], relative to the low ‐symptom class. Moreover, CPTSD and AD class membership was significantly predicted by insecure visa status, CPTSDOR = 7.53, 95% CI [1.26, 45.08], and ADOR = 7.19, 95% CI [1.23, 42.05]. These findings are consistent with theICD ‐11 model of CPTSD and highlight the contributions of cumulative trauma to CPTSD and PTSD profiles as well as of contextual stress from visa uncertainty to DSO symptom profiles in refugee cohorts, particularly those characterized by AD.
Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Research Article Source Type: research