Work

Disaggregating the heterogeneity of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress symptoms and disorder among justice-involved adolescents.

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: posttraumatic stress disorder by showing that among adults there are underlying homogeneous posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) profiles. However, similar patterns have yet to be examined among adolescents, particularly at-risk justice-involved youth. This is an important gap to bridge given that there may be developmental differences in symptom expression and specific risk factors associated with youth profiles. METHOD: PTSS and the associations of these profiles with exposure to cumulative trauma and specific interpersonal traumas, as well as demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Findings supported the presence of five distinct profiles of PTSS, including a classic presentation, an externalizing pattern, and several presentations with dissociation. Findings also showed that higher levels of cumulative and specific interpersonal traumas, being older, and identifying as female were correlates of the more severe profile of PTSS with dissociative subtype. CONCLUSIONS: Broadly, these results contribute to our understanding of posttraumatic stress disorder as a heterogeneous condition among adolescents, particularly at-risk justice-involved youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy

DOI: 10.1037/tra0001911

Authors: Lucybel Mendez, Ava R. Alexander, Grace A. Parker, Patricia K. Kerig

Institutions: University of Tennessee at Knoxville, University of Utah

Language: English

Topic: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: National Institute of Justice