Functional impairment and utilization of services associated with posttraumatic stress in the community

• Published in: Journal of traumatic stress Vol. 12; no. 4; pp. 709 - 724
• Main Authors: Amaya-Jackson, Lisa, Davidson, Jonathan R., Hughes, Dana C., Swartz, Marvin, Reynolds, Victoria, George, Linda K., Blazer, Dan G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germantown Periodicals Service Company 01.10.1999; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Aged; Anxiety disorders. Neuroses; Biological and medical sciences; Catchment Area (Health); Community Mental Health Services - utilization; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; functional impairment; Health Care Utilization; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Mental Health Services; Middle Aged; North Carolina; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Psychological Stress; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychomotor Disorders - etiology; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; PTSD; service utilization; Social Support; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - therapy; trauma; North Carolina; United States; North America; America; Mood disorder; Social environment; Human; Posttraumatic syndrome; Prevalence; Healthy subject; Daily living; Use; Anxiety disorder; Mental health; Activity; Depression; Health service; Epidemiology; Stress; Functional capacity; Symptomatology; Community; Comparative study; Public health
• ISSN: 0894-9867; 1573-6598
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1024781504756

This study describes social functioning and service utilization patterns associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms relative to nonpsychiatric controls and depressive disorder controls in a cross‐sectional epidemiological survey. Data from 49 cases and 147 controls who participated in the North Carolina component of the Epidemiologic Catchment Area study were examined. Results indicate that symptoms of posttraumatic stress were associated with impairment along several domains of functioning: social, financial, physical, and psychological. Individuals with posttraumatic stress were found to have more socioeconomic disadvantages and impaired functioning. Despite this, individuals with posttraumatic stress are receiving relatively few mental health services. Further research assessing service use, treatment, and functional outcomes are indicated.