TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2017//
TI  - Did the DSM-5 improve the Traumatic Stressor Criterion? Association of DSM-IV and DSM-5 Criterion A with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms
JO  - Psychopathology
A1  - Berenbaum, Howard
A1  - Larsen, Sadie E.
SP  - 373
EP  - 378
VL  - 50
IS  - 6
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0254-4962
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000481950
ID  - ref1
ER  -