Shared or unique trajectories of PTSD and depression in children over time since an earthquake

Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common outcomes in children and adolescents following natural disasters. However, because of the comorbidity of PTSD and depression, their mutual relationship affects their relative trajectories over time. Therefore, this study examined the joint trajectories of PTSD and depression and assessed their consistency over time. Using self-report questionnaires, we surveyed 303 children in the worst-affected area of the Ya’an earthquake at 6 months, 1 year, and 18 months post-disaster. Four latent joint trajectories of PTSD and depression were identified: a chronic depression-delayed PTSD symptoms group ( n = 59, 19.5%), a chronic PTSD-delayed depressive symptoms group ( n = 10, 3.3%), a low-symptoms group ( n = 208, 68.6%), and a chronic depression-PTSD symptoms recovery group ( n = 26, 8.6%). Companionship and affirmative value were more likely to be observed in the low-symptoms group. These findings illustrate that PTSD and depression development are heterogeneously distributed, and various types of social support fill different roles in differentiating distinct joint trajectories of PTSD and depression.

Comorbid trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and depressive symptoms in a 10-year cohort of Chinese Wenchuan earthquake survivors: Course, predictors, and consequences.

“…While this observation conforms to previously identified developmental trajectories of PTSD and depressive symptoms in heterogeneous samples (Armenta et al, 2019; Eli et al, 2020; Oh et al, 2016; X. Zhou & Wu, 2021), there was no consistent pattern in the literature. Our current finding is consistent with some previous studies (Oh et al, 2016; Zhen et al, 2020), suggesting that PTSD and depressive symptoms are a general posttraumatic response rather than distinct disorders (Norman et al, 2011; Zhen et al, 2020).…”

“…The literature has repeatedly found that these two predictors are related to reduced PTSD and/or depressive symptoms (Armenta et al, 2019; Cénat et al, 2020; Demirchyan et al, 2022; Lai et al, 2015; X. Zhou & Wu, 2021). Individuals with high social support are more likely to gain purpose in life, self-esteem, and a sense of control or mastery of life, which help survivors build a more adaptive narrative of the traumatic event and thus alleviate psychological distress (X.…”

“…Firstly, most focus on the trajectories of a single mental health issue (i.e., PTSD or depression), which may overgeneralize results (X. Zhou & Wu, 2021). Further research on comorbidities is needed to refine the data and conclusions (Lallukka et al, 2019; Zhen et al, 2020).…”

“…One study used a similar method to examine PTSD-depression joint trajectories at 6-, 12-, and 18-month postdisaster in adolescents, finding four trajectories: a chronic depression-delayed PTSD symptoms group, a chronic PTSD-delayed depressive symptoms group, a low-symptoms group, and a chronic depression-PTSD symptoms recovery group (X. Zhou & Wu, 2021). This work provides important information about codevelopmental trajectories.…”

“…Zhou and Wu (2021) found that distinct types of social support were related to various joint trajectories of PTSD and depressive symptoms in children postearthquake (X. Zhou & Wu, 2021). Another study on flood victims found that males were less likely and older victims were more likely to report medium-strength comorbidities; in the same study, victims with more serious trauma exposure were at higher risk of developing mild- and medium-comorbid symptoms (Zhen et al, 2020).…”