Title
Clusters of trauma types as measured by the Life Events Checklist for DSM–5.
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
1-1-2020
Abstract
Experiences of potentially traumatic events (PTE), commonly assessed with the Life Events Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (LEC-5), can be varied in both pattern and type. An understanding of LEC-assessed PTE type clusters and their relation to psychopathology can enhance research feasibility (e.g., address low base rates for certain PTE types), research communication/comparisons via the use of common terminology, and nuanced trauma assessments/treatments. To this point, the current study examined (a) clusters of PTE types assessed by the LEC-5 and (b) differential relations of these PTE type clusters to mental health correlates (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder severity, depression severity, emotion dysregulation, reckless and self-destructive behaviors). A trauma-exposed community sample of 408 participants was recruited via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (Mage = 35.90 years; 56.50% female). Network analyses indicated three PTE type clusters: Accidental/Injury Traumas (LEC-5 Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 12), Victimization Traumas (LEC-5 Items 6, 8, 9), and Predominant Death Threat Traumas (LEC-5 Items 5, 7, 10, 11, 13–16). Multiple regression analyses indicated that the Victimization Trauma Cluster significantly predicted posttraumatic stress disorder severity (β = .23, p < .001), depression severity (β = .20, p = .001), and negative emotion dysregulation (β = .22, p < .001); and the Predominant Death Threat Trauma Cluster significantly predicted engagement in reckless and self-destructive behaviors (β = .31, p < .001) and positive emotion dysregulation (β = .26, p < .001), accounting for the influence of other PTE type clusters. Results support three PTE type classifications assessed by the LEC-5, with important clinical and research implications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
International Journal of Stress Management
Volume
27
Issue
4
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Contractor, Ateka A., Nicole H. Weiss, Prathiba Natesan Batley, and Jon D. Elhai. "Clusters of trauma types as measured by the Life Events Checklist for DSM–5.." International Journal of Stress Management 27, 4 (2020): 380-393. doi: 10.1037/str0000179.