Multifaceted effects of direct and indirect trauma exposure on posttraumatic stress symptoms
Multifaceted effects of direct and indirect trauma exposure on posttraumatic stress symptoms
StatusVoR
Alternative title
Authors
Leśnierowska, Magdalena
Cieślak, Roman
Monograph
Monograph (alternative title)
Date
2026-10-06
Publisher
Journal title
Current Psychology
Issue
Volume
45
Pages
Pages
1-15
ISSN
1046-1310
ISSN of series
Access date
2026-10-06
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
Although exposure to traumatic events is necessary for developing posttraumatic stress, the dose–response relationship between exposure and symptom severity remains inconclusive. One explanation may be the multifaceted nature of trauma exposure, with distinct exposure dimensions exerting differential effects on posttraumatic stress. We assessed four dimensions of trauma exposure—diversity, volume, frequency, and perceived severity—across four trauma exposure modalities: personal involvement in the traumatic event, witnessing, vicarious exposure through close others, and work-related indirect trauma exposure. A nationwide survey of Polish adults (N = 808) assessed exposure using the Multidimensional Trauma Exposure Scale and posttraumatic stress symptoms using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. A multiple-indicator multiple-cause structural equation model evaluated 16 dimension-by-modality trauma exposure predictors. Within the direct trauma exposure modality, both frequency of exposure (β = 0.14, SE = 0.05, 95% CI [0.04, 0.23]) and perceived severity of exposure (β = 0.22, SE = 0.05, 95% CI [0.13, 0.31]) were positively associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms. Additionally, the perceived severity of trauma experienced by close others significantly predicted the outcome (β = 0.08, SE = 0.04, 95% CI [0.00, 0.16]). No exposure dimensions within witnessing or occupational exposure were significantly linked to posttraumatic stress. These findings suggest that separate dimensions of trauma exposure operate through distinct pathways across trauma exposure modalities, with subjective appraisal of exposure severity emerging as the strongest predictor. Simultaneously modeling multiple trauma exposure dimensions and modalities may improve posttraumatic stress risk assessment, providing a theoretically grounded framework for future assessment protocols and intervention research.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
Trauma exposure dimensions
Direct trauma exposure
Indirect trauma exposure
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
PTSD symptoms
Direct trauma exposure
Indirect trauma exposure
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
PTSD symptoms
Keywords other
Sustainable Development Goals
Exhibition title
Place of exhibition (institution)
Exhibition curator
Type
License type
Funder
Time range from
Time range to
Contact person name
Related publication
Related publication
Grant/project name
Pośrednia ekspozycja na zdarzenia traumatyczne a symptomy stresu pourazowego
Grant number
2016/21/N/HS6/02837
Collections
Views
0Acquisition Date20.10.2022
Downloads
0Acquisition Date20.10.2022
Altmetrics©
Dimensions
Google Scholar
