Lifetime Trauma Exposure and PTSD Symptoms in Relation to Health-Related Behaviors and Physiological Measures Among Malaysian Adolescents

Lifetime trauma exposure may result in serious consequences for mental health. It can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis, and when traumatic experience occurs among adolescents, the consequences may affect their mental and physical health later in their adulthood. This is a cross-sectional research design aiming to determine the relationship between lifetime trauma experience with health-related behaviors and physiological measures among Malaysian adolescents. A total of 606 adolescents with mean age of 16.9 years (SD = 1.28) responded to the survey questionnaires. Their height, weight, blood pressure, and heart rate were measured. Adolescents with traumatic experiences were significantly more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as drinking alcohol and smoking. Their physiological readings (i.e., heart rate) were significantly higher than those without traumatic experience. The significant relationship between trauma exposure, unhealthy behavior, and physical health are discussed in this article.