In a new study from Georgia State University, researchers found for some Americans, the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a source of traumatic stress that may predict post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.
They found that the association between COVID traumatic stress and PTSD is stronger among people who have repeated experiences of past trauma.
While many people are insulated from deaths and economic hardships related to the pandemic, there is a universal experience of fear, concern for others, and social isolation
In the study, the team surveyed 745 people to examine the potential interaction of race/ethnicity, COVID-19 traumatic stress, and cumulative trauma in the prediction of PTSD symptoms.
They used a recently validated COVID-19 Traumatic Stress Scale to measure the pandemic’s effect as related to the threat or fear of infection and death.
They revealed a positive and significant association between COVID traumatic stress and PTSD symptoms, suggesting that the pandemic is a unique traumatic stressor.
They found there was also an association between increased PTSD symptoms and high levels of cumulative trauma.
The finding suggests that there is a relationship between COVID traumatic stress and PTSD.
People who have more cumulative trauma are more likely to experience COVID-19 as a traumatic stressor.
The study provides evidence that COVID‐19 can be considered a unique trauma, which could fuel efforts to advocate for trauma-informed care in communities and schools.
The results emphasize the importance of examining subgroups in the community for potential exacerbating—or buffering—effects of COVID stress on mental health outcomes.
If you care about Covid, please read studies that people with COVID-19 infections may age much faster, and scientists find antibodies that can neutralize Omicron.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that for people over 50, even ‘mild’ COVID 19 can cause dangerous health problems, and results show this low-cost drug can treat COVID-19 effectively and safely.
The study is published in the Journal of Community Psychology and was conducted by Jeff Ashby et al.
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