Polytraumatization in an adult national sample and its association with psychological distress and self-esteem

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of selfreported experiences of potential childhood traumas and polytraumatization,
and to find cut-off values for different kinds of potential traumatic events in a
national representative sample of adults in Sweden. In addition, to analyse the
association between polytraumatization and both psychological distress and global self-esteem. Method: A web-based survey - containing SCL-25 and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Linköping Difficult Life Events Scale - Adult - was
sent out to a nationally reprative sample and 5062 people chose to participate
in the study. Results: Results showed that almost everyone (97%) has experienced at least one potential traumatic event and that polytraumatization (the
10% of the participants with most reported traumas) was significantly
( Z = 12.57, P < 0.001, r = 0.18) associated with psychological distress and global self-esteem. Gender differences were significant (Z = 8.44, P < 0.001,
r = 0.12), in that men experience more noninterpersonal traumas but women
report more symptoms. The effect sizes regarding the impact of potential
trauma on self-esteem were largest for women with experience of polytraumatization in the age group 18–25 (r = 0.48). There was almost linear increase in
psychological distress and linear decrease in self-esteem with increasing number
of traumatic events experienced. Conclusion: Experience of polytrauma can be
considered an important factor to take into account in psychiatric settings as
well.