Early biological and psychosocial factors associated with PTSD onset and persistence in youth

Abstract

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While considerable research has investigated PTSD in adults, little is known about the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to its onset, development, and persistence in youth.Methods: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to identify longitudinal studies examining factors associated with PTSD status and symptom severity in children and adolescents. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, yielding 24 eligible studies after screening.Results: The included studies identified various biological factors associated with paediatric PTSD, including dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, brain structural alterations, and physiological markers such as heart rate. Psychological factors, including depression, trauma appraisals, coping styles, and cognitive deficits predicted PTSD symptom development. Social factors included parental PTSD, family environment, and cultural influences. Many studies highlighted the importance of the interplay between these biological, psychological, and social factors in the manifestation of PTSD in youth.Conclusion: This review synthesises evidence that PTSD development in youth is influenced by a complex array of neurobiological vulnerabilities, psychological processes, and environmental factors. Longitudinal, multi-dimensional studies are needed to further elucidate personalised risk profiles and trajectories, which can inform targeted prevention and intervention strategies for PTSD in youth.

Keywords

• PTSD
• children
• adolescents
• biological factors
• psychological factors
• social factors