Identification of risk for posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters early after trauma

The current study examined how the injured trauma survivor screen (ITSS), a hospital-administered screener of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, differentially predicted PTSD symptom cluster severity. Participants from a Level 1 trauma center (n = 220) completed the ITSS while inpatient and PTSD symptoms were assessed one-month post discharge. Perceived life threat and intentionality of injury were key predictors of avoidance, re-experiencing, and hyperarousal symptom clusters. However, negative alterations in mood and cognition cluster seemed best predicted by mood and cognitive risk factors. Therefore, the ITSS provides utility in differentially predicting symptom clusters and treatment planning after traumatic injury.