Gender differences in a wide range of trauma symptoms after victimization and accidental traumas: a cross-sectional study in a clinical setting

Abstract

Background There are large gender differences in PTSD prevalence. Gender differences in a wide range of trauma symptoms including disturbances in self-organization have not been extensively researched. Objective To explore gender differences in a wide range of trauma symptoms by comparing victimization trauma (VT) with accidental trauma (AT). Method A cross-sectional study of 110 traumatized patients attending a mental health outpatient clinic in Oslo, Norway (38.2% men, Mage = 40.4, 40% ethnic Norwegians). The trauma was categorized as VT or AT based on the Life Events Checklist. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-PTSD-module and Structured Interview for Disorders of Extreme Stress Not-Otherwise-Specified (DESNOS) assessed a wide range of trauma symptoms. First, we examined gender differences within the trauma categories, then MANCOVA for an adjusted two-by-two between-groups analysis. Results Among VT patients, men reported more symptoms of alteration of negative self-perception ( p = .02, ES = 0.50) and alteration in systems of meaning ( p < .01, ES = 1.04). Within the AT group, women reported more symptoms of affect and impulses ( p = .01, ES = 0.94). The VT-AT difference was significantly higher in men in intrusion ( p < .01, η 2 = 0.04), affect and impulses ( p < .01, η 2 = 0.12), negative self-perception ( p < .01, η 2 = 0.11), difficulty in relations ( p = .01, η 2 = 0.10) and alterations in systems of meaning ( p = .01, η 2 = 0.14). Conclusion: Comparing the VT-AT differences between the genders, men with VT had relatively more symptoms of intrusion, self-organization, identity, ideology/meaning, cognition, and relations difficulties. Effect sizes were moderate to large. Men may be relatively more vulnerable to VT than AT, while women may be more equally affected by VT and AT. Acknowledging possible gender differences in a wider range of trauma symptoms depending on trauma category may have clinical benefits

Gender, sex and complex PTSD clinical presentation: a systematic review

“…This paper scored 80% in quality assessment. Søegaard et al ( 2021 ) reported a similar finding: sexual assault was experienced by significantly more women; experiences of combat were significantly higher among men. This paper scored 60% in quality assessment.…”

“…Giarratano et al ( 2020 ) reported higher overall CPTSD symptoms among women but did not specify which symptoms. In Søegaard et al ( 2021 ), where there were no overall differences in DESNOS scores, men had significantly higher cluster scores for negative self-perception (e.g. shame and guilt) and alterations in systems of meaning (e.g.…”

“…% of women met DSO criteria: 85% AD; 65% DR; 61% NSC Giarratano et al ( 2020 ) Higher CPTSD symptoms in women Gilbar et al ( 2018 ) 5 highest symptoms (approx. %): 53% feelings easily hurt (AD3); 49% guilt (NSC4); 42% long time to calm down (AD2); 32% reckless behaviour (AD5); 31% uncontrollable anger (AD4) Søegaard et al ( 2021 ) Higher scores in two DESNOS clusters in men (negative self-perception and alterations in systems of meaning) …”

“…There were two subthemes: no gender and/or sex differences, and higher rates among women or females. Eight studies found no gender and/or sex differences (Charak et al, 2023 ; de Vries et al, 2018 ; Hecker et al, 2018 ; Ho et al, 2021 ; Hyland, Ceannt, et al, 2018 ; Karatzias et al, 2019 ; McGinty et al, 2021 [Israel sample]; Søegaard et al, 2021 ). Most of these papers scored between 60% and 100% in quality assessment (one scored 40%).…”

“…68.4% F; 31.6% M. Ethnicity: no data ITQ, LEC-5 12.9% of N met CPTSD diagnostic criteria No significant relationship between sex and CPTSD diagnosis 100% McGinty et al ( 2021 )* Israel, Ireland*, USA*, UK* Differences in ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD Nationally representative community sample of adults (Israel N = 1003) Specifies sex – refers to ‘male’ and ‘female’ in paper Age: 18–70 ( M = 40.62). 51.7% F; 48.3% M. Ethnicity: no data ITQ, LEC-5 No significant relationship between sex and CPTSD diagnosis in Israel sample 60% Søegaard et al ( 2021 ) Norway Gender differences in trauma symptoms after victimisation and accidental traumas Community sample of traumatised adults ( N = 110) Specifies gender – refers to ‘men’ and ‘women’ Age: 18–60 ( M = 40.4). 61.8% women; 38.2% men.…”