Adverse Childhood Experiences and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Ukrainian College Students: Mediating Role of Intimate Partner Violence and Lifetime Trauma Experience

Abstract

Це дослідження оцінювало поширеність посттравматичного стресового розладу та його зв’язок з несприятливим досвідом дитинства, інтелектуальними фізичними наслідками та життєвими травмами в контексті російської війни проти України.This study assessed the prevalence of PTSD and its association with ACEs, IPV and lifetime trauma experiences in the context of Russian war on Ukraine. 999 college students from all Ukrainian regions (68.57% females, Mage = 19.1 years), reported on PTSD, ACEs, IPV, and lifetime trauma experiences. Structural Equation Modeling was used to assess direct and indirect (mediated by IPV and lifelong trauma experiences) effects of ACEs on participants’ PTSD symptoms. Results indicated that 24.97% of the participants have met the clinical cutoff for PTSD. Lower PTSD symptomatology was associated with fewer ACEs (b = .40, p < .001), fewer lifetime traumatic events (b = .17, p < .05), and male sex (b = − .15, p < .05). Participants with more ACEs were more likely to experience IPV (b = .35, p < .001) and lifetime traumatic events (b = .36, p < .001). ACEs had a significant standardized indirect association, mediated by lifetime traumatic events, with increased PTSD symptomatology (b = .06, p < .05). ACEs had a direct effect on PTSD. Early adversity also had an indirect association with PTSD mediated by lifelong victimization.Это исследование оценивало распространенность посттравматического стрессового расстройства и его связь с неблагоприятным детским опытом, интеллектуальными физическими последствиями и травмами в контексте российской войны против Украины.