Multifaceted effects of direct and indirect trauma exposure on posttraumatic stress symptoms

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dc.abstract.enAlthough 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.
dc.affiliationInstytut Psychologii
dc.contributor.authorLeśnierowska, Magdalena
dc.contributor.authorCieślak, Roman
dc.date.access2026-10-06
dc.date.accessioned2026-10-06T12:19:54Z
dc.date.available2026-10-06T12:19:54Z
dc.date.created2026-10-06
dc.date.issued2026-10-06
dc.description.abstract<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p> 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 ( <jats:italic>N</jats:italic>  = 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 ( <jats:italic>β</jats:italic>  = 0.14, <jats:italic>SE</jats:italic> = 0.05, 95% CI [0.04, 0.23]) and perceived severity of exposure ( <jats:italic>β</jats:italic>  = 0.22, <jats:italic>SE</jats:italic> = 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 ( <jats:italic>β</jats:italic>  = 0.08, <jats:italic>SE</jats:italic> = 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. </jats:p>
dc.description.accesstimeat_publication
dc.description.grantnumber2016/21/N/HS6/02837
dc.description.granttitlePośrednia ekspozycja na zdarzenia traumatyczne a symptomy stresu pourazowego
dc.description.physical1-15
dc.description.sdgGoodHealthAndWellBeing
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.description.volume45
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s12144-026-10126-4
dc.identifier.eissn1936-4733
dc.identifier.issn1046-1310
dc.identifier.urihttps://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2585
dc.identifier.weblinkhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-026-10126-4
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationpsychologia
dc.rightsCC-BY
dc.rights.questionYes_rights
dc.share.articleOTHER
dc.subject.enTrauma exposure dimensions
dc.subject.enDirect trauma exposure
dc.subject.enIndirect trauma exposure
dc.subject.enPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
dc.subject.enPTSD symptoms
dc.swps.sciencecloudsend
dc.titleMultifaceted effects of direct and indirect trauma exposure on posttraumatic stress symptoms
dc.title.journalCurrent Psychology
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typeArticle