Examining the Relation between Perceived Social Support and PTSD Symptom Severity in Trauma-Exposed Youth
Authors:   , Litke Shannon Grace , Daly Brian P. 
Published: December 2022

While a negative association between perceived social support and PTSD severity has been observed in adults, further cross-sectional research is needed to clarify this relation in trauma-exposed youth. This study examined the cross-sectional association between perceived social support and PTSD symptom severity within a clinically referred sample of trauma-exposed youth. It was hypothesized that a positive correlation would be observed between social stress and PTSD severity, and negative correlations between PTSD severity and each measure of perceived social support (i.e., relations with parents and interpersonal relations with peers). This study also examined whether trauma type moderated the relation between perceived social support and PTSD severity. It was hypothesized that direct interpersonal violence (IPV) would be more strongly associated with trauma severity (compared to non-IPV trauma types), and that experience of IPV would weaken the association between perceived social support and PTSD severity. This study examined baseline self-report data from youth ages 11-18 years (N = 38) who were receiving community-based mental health services for trauma through the Philadelphia Alliance for Child Trauma Services (PACTS). Perceived social support was measured using three subscales of the Behavioral Assessment Scale for Children - Third Edition (BASC-3): Social Stress, Relations with Parents, and Interpersonal Relations. Trauma severity was measured using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for DSM-5 (CPSS-5-I) Total Severity Score. Pearson correlations were calculated to examine the association between PTSD severity and social stress, relations with parents, and interpersonal relations. Linear regression analyses were conducted for each of these three associations, controlling for gender. To examine trauma type as a moderator, a multiple regression analysis was conducted with PTSD severity regressed on interpersonal relations, trauma type (IPV vs. non-IPV), and their interaction. The model with PTSD severity regressed on social stress and gender was significant, F(2, 35) = 8.06, p = .001, R^2 = .32. Social stress was significantly associated with PTSD severity (p < .001) while gender was not (p = .68). A weak, negative association was observed between relations with parents and PTSD severity (r = -.15). Neither relations with parents (p = .39) nor gender (p = .91) were significantly associated with PTSD severity in the second linear regression model. A moderate negative correlation was found between interpersonal relations and PTSD severity (r = -.45). Linear regression analysis with PTSD severity regressed on interpersonal relations and gender revealed an overall significant model, F(2, 35 ) = 4.46, p = .019, R^2 = .20, with a significant association found between PTSD severity and interpersonal relations (p = .005), but not gender (p = .93). For secondary analyses, the overall model was significant, F(3, 34) = 3.07, p = .04, R^2 = .21. While there was a significant negative relation between interpersonal relations and PTSD severity among those with IPV trauma type (p = .02), neither trauma type (p = .51) nor the interaction term (p = .92) reached significance. Within clinical populations of trauma-exposed youth, greater perceived social stress and lower perceived social support from peers may be cross-sectionally associated with significantly higher PTSD severity. Even for youth with positive perceptions of parental relations, this may not be related to trauma severity. Perceived social support from peers may be related to PTSD severity for youth who have experienced IPV, but not for other trauma types. No significant difference in trauma severity was observed between IPV and non-IPV trauma types, and trauma type did not moderate the relation between interpersonal relations and PTSD severity. Youth receiving trauma treatment may benefit from specific interventions to reduce social stress and improve their perceptions of supportive peer relations.