What are the predictive variables that increase the risk of developing a complex trauma? A meta-analysis

Marcelo Leiva-Bianchi; Marcelo Nvo-Fernandez; César Villacura-Herrera; Valentina Miño-Reyes; Nicol Parra Varela

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.002

What are the predictive variables that increase the risk of developing a complex trauma? A meta-analysis

J Affect Disord. 2023 Dec 15:343:153-165. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.002. Epub 2023 Oct 4.

Authors

Marcelo Leiva-Bianchi¹, Marcelo Nvo-Fernandez², César Villacura-Herrera³, Valentina Miño-Reyes⁴, Nicol Parra Varela¹

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Methodology, Behavioural Sciences and Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de Talca, Chile.
² Laboratory of Methodology, Behavioural Sciences and Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de Talca, Chile. Electronic address: navarro.marcelo.f@gmail.com.
³ Laboratory of Methodology, Behavioural Sciences and Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de Talca, Chile; Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Cognitivas, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de Talca, Chile.
⁴ Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Cognitivas, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad de Talca, Chile.

PMID: 37802323
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.002

Abstract

In 2018, Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) was officially recognized as a distinct syndrome in the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11). This recognition aimed to differentiate between neurotic disorders secondary to stressful situations and somatoform disorders, and disorders specifically associated with stress. The inclusion of CPTSD in the ICD-11 marked the culmination of two decades of research focused on understanding its symptoms, treatments, and risk factors. However, despite the progress made, a comprehensive meta-analysis to elucidate the specific risk factors and impact on the development of CPTSD is still lacking. The objective of this article is to conduct such a meta-analysis. A total of 24 studies were selected for analysis, and the findings revealed several key risk factors associated with the development of CPTSD. The main risk factor identified is having experienced sexual abuse in childhood (k = 12; OR = 2.880). In addition, childhood physical abuse (k = 11; OR = 2.841), experiencing emotional neglect during childhood (k = 5; OR = 2.510), physical abuse throughout life (k = 8; OR = 2.149) and being a woman (k = 13; OR = 1.726) were also significant risk factors.

Keywords: CPTSD; Complex posttraumatic stress disorder; Predictors; Risk factors; Trauma; meta-analysis.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
International Classification of Diseases
Male
Risk Factors
Sex Offenses* / psychology
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / diagnosis
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / epidemiology
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / etiology