Poster #50 - Identifying Risk and Protective Factors of Increased Arousal Symptoms for Multiracial, Maltreated Youth

• In Event: Poster Session 17

Abstract

Multiracial youth are one of the most at-risk racial groups for child maltreatment (Leeb et al., 2008; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2018). Multiracial individuals are also more likely to report mental health concerns than other racial or ethnic groups (American Psychiatric Association, 2017). This study aimed to identify demographic and psychological influencing factors that are unique to multiracial, maltreated youth with respect to increased arousal symptoms associated with PTSD through classification and regression tree (CART) analyses. Participants included 99 multiracial, maltreated youth directly following their placement in an emergency group shelter due to substantiated maltreatment. The hypothesis was that endorsement of multiple traumas and questions related to internalized coping strategies, including isolation and resignation, and physical pain were expected to be predictive of increased arousal symptoms. Increased arousal symptoms include difficulty falling asleep, irritability or outbursts of anger, difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The hypothesis was partially supported in that internalized coping strategies was present within the final model. The final CART model identified 81.4% of all participants in the sample correctly for endorsement of increased arousal symptoms. Multiracial, maltreated youth within the study who were older than 13.5 years of age were most at risk in the development of increased arousal symptoms when they subsequently endorsed distrust in others and had experienced sexual maltreatment. Distrust in others was measured through questions on the PTCI subscale of negative cognitions about the world (i.e., items 7, 10, & 27). Youth who endorsed even minimal levels of distrust in others on all three items were most at risk for the development of increased arousal. Multiracial, maltreated youth within the study who displayed minimal levels of trust in others were least at risk for increased arousal symptoms when they also endorsed low levels of emotional dissociation. Little to no levels of dissociation may be indicative of problem focused coping strategies (F. Collins & French, 1998). Thus, multiracial, maltreated youth who are able to maintain social supports through trust and do not experience dissociation are least at risk for increased arousal symptoms. The present project provides preliminary evidence that constructs associated with trust in others, dissociative symptoms, and sexual maltreatment influence multiracial youth in developing increased arousal symptoms associated with PTSD. Limitations of this study exist within the sample size and age range. The small sample size may influence the findings generalizability to other populations.

Authors

• Mallory Constantine, University of Nevada Las Vegas
  Presenting Author

• Melanie Rede

• Jessica Castillo, University of Nevada Las Vegas

• Christopher Kearney