Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Article Critique Sample)

Student’s Name Instructor’s Name Course Name Date of Submission Research Article Critique Johnson J, Maxwell A, Galea S. (2009). The Epidemiology of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Psychiatric Annals, 39(6), 326-334. doi: 10.3928/00485713-20090514-01 Article Summary Introduction Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is majorly predominant and has significant social and economic consequences. This article reviewed the epidemiology of PTSD. It starts by summing up evidence obtained from other research projects. It has discussed conditional probability given particular traumatic event exposure and prevalence of PTSD, and correlates of traumatic event exposure. Also discussed is the demographic and correlates distribution of PTSD, and its trajectory over the life course. Finally, its consequences and the challenges facing this field of research today are discussed. The cause of PTSD is certainly the exposure to a traumatic event. The prevalence of traumatic events deviates across research, mostly due to different study definitions of traumatic event and sampling frame. Gender Studies have shown that men report more prominent levels of lifetime exposure to any traumatic event. They also have high odds to be exposed to physical attack, witnessing death or injury, combat, and serious accident than women. On the other hand, women have a high probability to be exposed to sexual assault, rape, and molestation. Demographics The evidence on race and socioeconomic status as some of the demographic parameter is mixed. Prevalence of recent or lifetime traumatic exposures are high in younger or middle-aged as compared to older groups. Hispanic and Black adolescents have a higher chance of PTSD than Whites, even after controlling the type of trauma and other demographics. The evidence suggests that minorities suffer increased risk for PTSD following traumatic event exposure Other Correlates of Trauma Event Exposure A New Zealand study sample found that children having antisocial behavior, difficult temperament and hyperreactivity had a high probability to undergo traumatic events by the time the reach 26 years of age. These determinations suggest that the determinants of risk for traumatic event shift over a lifetime. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder The prevalence of PTSD among people who in their lives have experienced a traumatic event is 9% to 12% for men and 12% for women. The higher conditional probability of PTSD is linked to intentional violent. Psychiatric History Those who have suffered physical and sexual assault with PTSD have high chances to report a history of child abuse, psychological difficulties and other early traumatic events than those without PTSD. Consequences of PTSD The effects of PTSD include loss of years to disability, loss of lives and negative health behavior such sexual assault. PTSD has been linked to having higher rates of, musculoskeletal, infectious, digestive, cardiovascular, nervous, and gynecologic problems. PTSD has also led to the reduction of annual productivity estimated to be a loss of more th...