Linkages Between Interpersonal Trauma and PTSD Symptoms in an Under served, Trauma Exposed Sample of Pregnant Women: A Network Analysis

Trauma exposure is related to PTSD, but it is unclear how types of trauma can be associated with PTSD symptoms and severity. The high levels of trauma, especially in interpersonal trauma, in Hispanic females, combined with less empirical attention in research, demonstrates a pressing issue. By examining the associations between trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms in a Latina sample, symptoms can be tied to experiences on a nuanced level in order to respond to the needs of this community in a more personalized form of treatment. The present study aims to more closely examine the association between types of maltreatment exposure, when the trauma occurred, and specific mental health difficulties. This research was done using network analysis. By performing a network analysis of self-reported symptoms of PTSD, it is hypothesized that specific associations between trauma types and timelines and specific PTSD symptoms will be identified. The aims of this Honors Thesis Research are to better understand the relationship between forms of interpersonal maltreatment and different clusters of PTSD, in order to predict how people might present based on their experiences with trauma