Association between witnessing traumatic events and psychopathology in the South African Stress and Health Study

Lukoye Atwoli; Jonathan Platt; David R Williams; Dan J Stein; Karestan C Koenen

doi:10.1007/s00127-015-1046-x

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Association between witnessing traumatic events and psychopathology in the South African Stress and Health Study

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Association between witnessing traumatic events and psychopathology in the South African Stress and Health Study

Lukoye Atwoli, Jonathan Platt, David R Williams, Dan J Stein and Karestan C Koenen

Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, Vol.50(8), pp.1235-1242

08/2015

DOI: 10.1007/s00127-015-1046-x

PMCID: PMC4747238

PMID: 25773525

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/4747238View

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Abstract

Background: The high burden of witnessing traumatic events has been demonstrated in previous research in South Africa. However, previous work has focused on PTSD rather than a broader range of psychopathological outcomes. This study examined the association between witnessing trauma and multiple outcomes including mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Methods: Regression models measured the odds of mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders among those who reported witnessing in the South African Stress and Health Study. Discrete-time survival analysis was used to examine whether witnessing was associated with earlier onset of mental disorders. Results: Witnessing trauma was more commonly reported among males and those with low-average education. Posttraumatic stress disorder, mood, and anxiety disorders varied significantly with witnessing status, and witnessing was associated with exposure to a higher number of traumatic events compared to other types of traumatic events. Respondents reporting witnessing trauma had elevated odds of mood and anxiety disorders, but not substance use disorders. Conclusion: Witnessing trauma is common in the South African population and results in increased risk of mood and anxiety disorders. Interventions aimed at reducing the burden of trauma and its outcomes must now increase their focus on bystanders and other observers, rather than just focusing on those directly affected.

Africa

Anxiety Disorders

Trauma

Mood disorders

Witnessing

Details

Title: Subtitle: Association between witnessing traumatic events and psychopathology in the South African Stress and Health Study
Creators: Lukoye Atwoli - Department of Mental Health, School of Medicine, Moi University College of Health Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA Department of Society, Human Development and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
Jonathan Platt - Department of Mental Health, School of Medicine, Moi University College of Health Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA Department of Society, Human Development and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
David R Williams - Department of Mental Health, School of Medicine, Moi University College of Health Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA Department of Society, Human Development and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
Dan J Stein - Department of Mental Health, School of Medicine, Moi University College of Health Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA Department of Society, Human Development and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
Karestan C Koenen - Department of Mental Health, School of Medicine, Moi University College of Health Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA Department of Society, Human Development and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, Vol.50(8), pp.1235-1242
DOI: 10.1007/s00127-015-1046-x
PMID: 25773525
PMCID: PMC4747238
NLM abbreviation: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol
ISSN: 0933-7954
eISSN: 1433-9285
Language: English
Date published: 08/2015
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Injury Prevention Research Center
Record Identifier: 9984214829702771

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