Prior differences in previous trauma exposure primarily drive the observed racial/ethnic differences in posttrauma depression and anxiety following a recent trauma
Creators: name: House, S. L.
name: Domeier, R. M.
name: Pietrzak, R. H.
name: Pizzagalli, D. A.
name: Linnstaedt, S. D.
name: Luna, B.
name: Peak, D. A.
name: Michopoulos, V.
name: Chang, A. M.
name: Seamon, M. J.
name: McLean, S. A.
name: Sheikh, S.
name: Storrow, A. B.
name: Delity, M.
name: Koenen, K. C.
name: Stevens, J. S.
name: Hudak, L. A.
name: van Rooij, S. J. H.
name: Lewandowski, C.
name: Datner, E. M.
name: Barch, D. M.
name: Maples-Keller, J. L.
name: Musey, P. I.
name: Neylan, T. C.
name: Miller, M. W.
name: Rathlev, N. K.
name: Dumornay, N. M.
name: Harnett, N. G.
name: Kessler, R. C.
name: Jones, C. W.
name: O'Neil, B. J.
name: Lebois, L. A. M.
name: Kurz, M. C.
name: Joormann, J.
name: Bruce, S. E.
name: Harte, S. E.
name: Beaudoin, F. L.
name: Sheridan, J. F.
name: Swor, R. A.
name: Pearson, C.
name: Pascual, J. L.
name: Germine, L. T.
name: Sampson, N. A.
name: Smoller, J. W.
name: Hendry, P. L.
name: Jovanovic, T.
name: Ressler, K. J.
name: McGrath, M. E.
name: Sanchez, L. D.
name: Punches, B. E.
name: Haran, J. P.
name: Merchant, R. C.
name: Sergot, P.
name: Mohiuddin, K.
name: An, X.
name: Elliott, J. M.
Publisher: name: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Year: 2022

description: BACKGROUND: Racial and ethnic groups in the USA differ in the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent research however has not observed consistent racial/ethnic differences in posttraumatic stress in the early aftermath of trauma, suggesting that such differences in chronic PTSD rates may be related to differences in recovery over time. METHODS: As part of the multisite, longitudinal AURORA study, we investigated racial/ethnic differences in PTSD and related outcomes within 3 months after trauma. Participants (n = 930) were recruited from emergency departments across the USA and provided periodic (2 weeks, 8 weeks, and 3 months after trauma) self-report assessments of PTSD, depression, dissociation, anxiety, and resilience. Linear models were completed to investigate racial/ethnic differences in posttraumatic dysfunction with subsequent follow-up models assessing potential effects of prior life stressors. RESULTS: Racial/ethnic groups did not differ in symptoms over time; however, Black participants showed reduced posttraumatic depression and anxiety symptoms overall compared to Hispanic participants and White participants. Racial/ethnic differences were not attenuated after accounting for differences in sociodemographic factors. However, racial/ethnic differences in depression and anxiety were no longer significant after accounting for greater prior trauma exposure and childhood emotional abuse in White participants. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest prior differences in previous trauma exposure partially mediate the observed racial/ethnic differences in posttraumatic depression and anxiety symptoms following a recent trauma. Our findings further demonstrate that racial/ethnic groups show similar rates of symptom recovery over time. Future work utilizing longer time-scale data is needed to elucidate potential racial/ethnic differences in long-term symptom trajectories.