Sex Differences in Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Network among Chinese Young Adults

Abstract

Evidence suggests that sex differences commonly occur in trauma-related disorders. The current study aims to explore sex differences in complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) symptom networks among Chinese young adults with childhood trauma. The current study utilized a representative sample of college students in Beijing and included 1416 participants (409 men and 907 women) who had childhood trauma experience. CPTSD symptoms were evaluated using the International Trauma Questionnaire. Regularized partial correlation network analysis and Bayesian network analysis were used to estimate the network structure and possible causality of CPTSD symptoms for both sexes. Male and female CPTSD symptom networks had differences in strength centrality and bridge centrality. Nightmares and feelings of failure had the highest strength centrality, and long-term upset and nightmares had the highest bridge centrality for men. Hypervigilance and feelings of failure had the highest strength centrality, and long-term upset and exaggerated startle response had the highest bridge centrality for women. The current study provides the first evidence of sex differences in the CPTSD symptom network among Chinese young adults with childhood trauma. Young men and women differed in highly central symptoms, which may speak to sex specificity in the main manifestations of CPTSD symptoms.

Keywords

• complex posttraumatic stress disorder
• network analysis
• sex differences
• China