Type of Trauma Exposure and Subsequent Mental Health Symptoms: Examining the Role of Social Needs in TX-YDSRN Youth

Trauma is known to contribute to the potential development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), yet little research has explored how health-related social needs might impact PTSD or the relationship between trauma type and PTSD. Here, we examined the impact of trauma type and health-related social needs, such as housing instability or food insecurity, on PTSD symptoms in TX-YDSRN youth with trauma experience. Interpersonal trauma, but not health-related social needs, predicted PTSD symptoms. Lower interpersonal safety was linked to greater likelihood of interpersonal trauma, suggesting this could be an important risk factor to target in future interventions. Overall, our findings highlight the need to treat the psychological impacts of interpersonal trauma to help prevent or decrease PTSD symptoms in youth.