J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2018 Jun;27(2):85-97. 10.12934/jkpmhn.2018.27.2.85.

Relationships among Traumatic Experiences, Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, and Mental Health-related Characteristics in Young Adults

• Lee K
• Jo H
• Kim S

• KMID: 2415243
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2018.27.2.85

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of traumatic experiences, posttraumatic stress symptoms and mental health-related characteristics in young adults and identify relationships among the variables.
METHODS
In this descriptive cross-sectional study, data were collected through a Web-based survey (N=568). Structured instruments included valid measures of traumatic experiences, posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, somatization symptoms, insomnia, and alcohol use. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, χ2 tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient with SPSS statistics 23.
RESULTS
Among study participants, 76.8% reported traumatic experiences. The severity of trauma was associated with high levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, somatization symptoms, insomnia, and alcohol use. Women showed more severe posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms than men. There were positive correlations for trauma experiences with posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, somatization symptoms, and insomnia.
CONCLUSION
Findings indicate the need to develop nursing intervention programs to relieve posttraumatic stress symptoms and improve mental health related characteristics targeting young adults, and to establish a national policy that addresses characteristics of trauma experienced in Korea.

Keyword

Stress disorder, Post-traumatic; Depression; Mental health; Young adult

MeSH Terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression
Female
Humans
Korea
Male
Mental Health
Nursing
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Young Adult*

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