Gender Differences in Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

외상 후 스트레스 장애 환자에서 성별에 따른 증상 차이

Objective : The present study investigated gender differences in the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Korean PTSD patients from a multicenter sample. Methods : Data were collected from 18 psychiatric units of training hospitals nationwide. All the patients were interviewed by attending psychiatrists using a structured format for PTSD by DSM-IV diagnoses. Additionally the Davidson Trauma Scale was used to evaluate all self-reported symptomatology. Results : Forty-three patients with PTSD, 23 female and 20 male patients, were enrolled in this study. There were significant differences in the frequency and severity of avoidance symptoms, and severity of re-experience symptoms. The female patients reported a higher level of re-experience and avoidance symptoms than the male patients. Conclusion : The results of the present study were found to be consistent with previous studies on gender differences. Women were more susceptible to PTSD symptoms than men, especially exaggerated re-experience and chronic avoidance. Since all patients groups were enrolled from the hospital, this findings needs to be reexamined using community samples.

PTSD 환자들에서 성별에 따른 증상의 차이를 보기 위한 본 다기관 연구에서, 여성은 남성에 비해 재경험, 회피 항목에서 높은 빈도와 심각도를 보였다. 즉 과도한 기억과 각성, 만성적인 회피로 이어지는 PTSD 발생 과정에서 남, 녀간 차이가 있을 수 있다는 것을 시사하며, 앞으로 이를 확인하기 위한 연구가 더욱 필요할 것이다.