Maddie Mcbride, “Peer Relationship and Youth PTSD Symptom Development: Role of Age and Biological Sex”
Mentor: Christine Larson, Psychology
Poster #125
Peer relationships and support can contribute to individuals’ recovery following trauma, specifically across the developmental period of youth. Youth are especially vulnerable to adverse outcomes following trauma, and literature points to significant difference based on biological sex and age. In addition, research showed differences regarding age and biological sex and how youth utilized peer relationships. However, whether these differences contribute to recovery post-trauma in youth has not been explored. The present study investigated the relationship between peer relationships and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms 3-months following an acute traumatic injury in youth, and whether that relationship differs across age and biological sex. Seventy-six youth (female = 32, Rangeage = 10-18) were recruited from a children’s emergency department visit following a traumatic injury. Peer relationships were collected using the PROMIS Pediatric Peer Relationship – Short Form 8a 2-weeks post-trauma, and PTSD symptoms were collected using the UCLA Child/Adolescent PTSD Reaction Index for DSM-5 3-months post-trauma. We found a significant group difference between biological sex and PTSD symptoms. Females (M = 23.53, SD =17.79) reported more PTSD symptoms at 3-months post-trauma compared to males (M = 10.72, SD =13.90; t =3.36 p < .001). Peer relationships did not have a significant correlation with PTSD symptoms (r = -.24, p = .06). Moreover, biological sex or age did not moderate the relationship between peer relationships and PTSD symptoms. Based on the results, the quality of peer relationships did not predict PTSD symptom development 3-months later. However, there was a group difference between males and females in development of PTSD symptoms 3-months following a trauma exposure. While results were nonsignificant, it’s important to study mechanisms underlying the sex differences in PTSD development in youth. Future studies should continue to study these relationships and the support of peer relationships in youth following a trauma injury.