TY - JOUR
T1 - Persistence and Psychological Predictors of ICD-11 Complex PTSD: A Six-Month Longitudinal Study in Hong Kong
AU - Lam, Stanley Kam Ki
AU - Ng, Albe Sin Ying
AU - Zhou, Chengrui Rachel
AU - Hung, Suet Lin
AU - Fung, Hong Wang
N1 - Funding Information:
The last author received The RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme 2022/2023 from the Research Grants Council (RGC), Hong Kong.
Publisher copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2023/10/18
Y1 - 2023/10/18
N2 - Recent studies showed that the ICD-11 C-PTSD is associated with considerable individual and social consequences. This study focused on the persistence and psychological predictors of C-PTSD. We analyzed longitudinal survey data from a sample of Hong Kong adults (N = 230) with an interval of approximately six months. Participants completed standardized self-report measures of C-PTSD and various psychological factors (including self-criticism, self-compassion, ruminative response, event centrality, and experiential avoidance) at both timepoints. Over 80% of participants with probable C-PTSD at baseline remained to meet the criteria for PTSD/C-PTSD at follow-up, while over 50% of participants with probable PTSD at baseline remitted at follow-up. Participants with probable C-PTSD were characterized by greater use of mental health services at both timepoints. Additionally, hierarchical multiple regression showed that, among a variety of psychological factors, experiential avoidance was the only significant predictor of PTSD (β = 0.271, p = .001) and disturbances in self-organization (DSO) (β = 0.200, p = .011) symptoms, after controlling for baseline symptom severity and treatment usage. This study shows that C-PTSD persists over time and its symptoms are predicted by experiential avoidance. More efforts are needed to prevent and address C-PTSD in the community. We also offer insights into the management of trauma-related disorders.
AB - Recent studies showed that the ICD-11 C-PTSD is associated with considerable individual and social consequences. This study focused on the persistence and psychological predictors of C-PTSD. We analyzed longitudinal survey data from a sample of Hong Kong adults (N = 230) with an interval of approximately six months. Participants completed standardized self-report measures of C-PTSD and various psychological factors (including self-criticism, self-compassion, ruminative response, event centrality, and experiential avoidance) at both timepoints. Over 80% of participants with probable C-PTSD at baseline remained to meet the criteria for PTSD/C-PTSD at follow-up, while over 50% of participants with probable PTSD at baseline remitted at follow-up. Participants with probable C-PTSD were characterized by greater use of mental health services at both timepoints. Additionally, hierarchical multiple regression showed that, among a variety of psychological factors, experiential avoidance was the only significant predictor of PTSD (β = 0.271, p = .001) and disturbances in self-organization (DSO) (β = 0.200, p = .011) symptoms, after controlling for baseline symptom severity and treatment usage. This study shows that C-PTSD persists over time and its symptoms are predicted by experiential avoidance. More efforts are needed to prevent and address C-PTSD in the community. We also offer insights into the management of trauma-related disorders.
KW - Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (complex PTSD)
KW - betrayal trauma
KW - psychological factors
KW - public mental health
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85174269628&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/15325024.2023.2267433
DO - 10.1080/15325024.2023.2267433
M3 - Journal article
SN - 1532-5024
SP - 1
EP - 21
JO - Journal of Loss and Trauma
JF - Journal of Loss and Trauma
ER -
