@article{ref1,
title="Did the DSM-5 improve the Traumatic Stressor Criterion? Association of DSM-IV and DSM-5 Criterion A with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms",
journal="Psychopathology",
year="2017",
author="Berenbaum, Howard and Larsen, Sadie E.",
volume="50",
number="6",
pages="373-378",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: A recent meta-analysis found that DSM-III- and DSM-IV-defined traumas were associated with only slightly higher posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms than nontraumatic stressors. The current study is the first to examine whether DSM-5-defined traumas were associated with higher levels of PTSD than DSM-IV-defined traumas. Further, we examined theoretically relevant event characteristics to determine whether characteristics other than those outlined in the DSM could predict PTSD symptoms. <br><br>METHOD: One hundred six women who had experienced a trauma or significant stressor completed questionnaires assessing PTSD, depression, impairment, and event characteristics. Events were rated for whether they qualified as DSM-IV and DSM-5 trauma. <br><br>RESULTS: There were no significant differences between DSM-IV-defined traumas and stressors. For DSM-5, effect sizes were slightly larger but still nonsignificant (except for significantly higher hyperarousal following traumas vs. stressors). Self-reported fear for one's life significantly predicted PTSD symptoms. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the current DSM-5 definition of trauma, although a slight improvement from DSM-IV, is not highly predictive of who develops PTSD symptoms. Our study also indicates the importance of individual perception of life threat in the prediction of PTSD.<br><br>© 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0254-4962",
doi="10.1159/000481950",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000481950"
}