Impact of cumulative lifetime trauma and recent stress on current posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in holocaust survivors

Rachel Yehuda, Boaz Kahana, James Schmeidler, Steven M. Southwick, Skye Wilson, Earl L. Giller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

170 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among cumulative lifetime trauma, recent stressful events, and presence and severity of current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in Holocaust survivors and nonexposed comparison subjects. Method: Lifetime trauma, recent stressful events, and presence and severity of PTSD were assessed in Holocaust survivors (N=72) and comparison subjects (N=19). Results: Survivors with PTSD (N=40) reported significantly greater cumulative trauma and recent stress than survivors without PTSD (N=32) and comparison subjects. Severity of PTSD symptoms, cumulative trauma, and recent stress were significantly associated. Conclusions: The presence and severity of current PTSD were related to having experienced stressful events in addition to the Holocaust.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1815-1818
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry
Volume152
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1995

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