Citation

Dillon KH, Elbogen EB, Beckham JC. Clin. Psychol. Sci. Pract. 2020; 27(1): e12329.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/cpsp.12329

PMID

36046425

PMCID

PMC9426673

Abstract

Comments on an article by M. Augsburger & A. Maercker (see record 2020-05758-001). This meta-analysis of 15 studies examined the relationships between aggression and trauma exposure (eight studies) as well as symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; 11 studies) in women. Although prior meta-analytic research has demonstrated that trauma exposure and PTSD are associated with aggression, gender differences have not been examined. In their analyses, Augsburger and Maercker found a small effect size (d = 0.44) for the association between traumatic events and aggression, and a medium effect size (d = 0.60) for the association between PTSD and aggression. The authors present these findings as providing support for identifying women who are at risk of behaving aggressively with the aim of clinicians engaging in early intervention. We agree this is an important goal, but several points need to be considered when interpreting results from the meta-analysis. First, the effect sizes were all in the small-to-medium range, suggesting modest associations. Second, methodological constraints within many of the studies that were included in the meta-analysis need to be considered and discussed. Third, because the timing of assessments was variable across studies in the meta-analyses, results need to be interpreted cautiously. Fourth, several statements in the paper could risk stigmatizing women with PTSD. Overall, despite these concerns, the findings of Augsburger and Maercker's meta-analysis suggested that there are associations between trauma exposure/PTSD and aggression that need to be better understood. One important variable missing in the studies is the assessment of anger. This meta-analysis takes an important first step, and future research should compare men and women trauma survivors to determine whether and how, as well as the temporal relationships between trauma exposure, PTSD, anger, and aggression operate differently. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

Language: en