Posttraumatic stress and previous traumatic experiences in early adulthood

The paper presents the results of an empirical study of psychotraumatic experience in respondents of early adult age (20-35 years). Based on the generalization of the responses of the study participants (n = 509), a classification of potentially traumatic difficult life situations was developed and described. The most frequent traumatic events at this age were situations related to the loss of loved ones, life-threatening diseases, road accidents, and physical violence experienced. The relationship between the duration of the event and the intensity of signs of posttraumatic stress caused by the experience of this event was studied. Previous traumatic experience is also considered as a factor of intense actual experience of a traumatic event. It is shown that the more traumatic situations a person has experienced in the past, the more pronounced signs of posttraumatic stress and psychopathological symptoms they experience at present.