A Developmental Approach to Complex PTSD

[Kizzie]

Cloitre, M., Stolbach, B., Herman, J., van der Kolk, B., Pynoos, R., Wang, J. & Petkova, E. (2009) "A Developmental Approach to Complex PTSD: Childhood and Adult Cumulative Trauma as Predictors of Symptom Complexity,"  Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol. 22 (5). Available: http://www.mentalhealthconnection.org/pdfs/ptsd-predictors.pdf.

Abstract:

Exposure to multiple traumas, particularly in childhood, has been proposed to result in a complex of symptoms that includes posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as a constrained, but variable group of symptoms that highlight self-regulatory disturbances. The relationship between accumulated exposure to different types of traumatic events and total number of different types of symptoms (symptom complexity) was assessed in an adult clinical sample (N = 582) and a child clinical sample (N = 152). Childhood cumulative trauma but not adulthood trauma predicted increasing symptom complexity in adults. Cumulative trauma predicted increasing symptom complexity in the child sample. Results suggest that Complex PTSD symptoms occur in both adult and child samples in a principled, rule-governed way and that childhood experiences significantly influenced adult symptoms.

[schrödinger's cat]

So this paper basically says multiple traumas (particularly in childhood) create trouble, including PTSD and problems with self-regulation. These self-regulatory problems result in symptoms that vary from one person to the next, but always within a certain set of symptoms.

In this study, 582 adults and 152 kids took part. The study investigated the relationship between accumulated exposure to different types of traumatic events and total number of different types of symptoms.

Childhood cumulative trauma led to increasing symptom complexity during childhood and in adulthood. CPTSD symptoms in both children and adults followed some principles and rules. Childhood experiences significantly influenced adult symptoms.

EDITED TO ADD: sorry, this is mainly me summing things up for myself, because a certain level of expertese always makes me go "...hng?"

[keepfighting]

Interesting research. Thank you for posting, kizzie!

[Kizzie]

You are most welcome KeepFighting and if you (or anyone) comes across any research articles plse feel free to add. 

Many tks for summarizing Cat, some academic articles are a tough slog.