Differences in Self-Reported Trauma Symptomatology Between Individuals With and Without Disability

Abstract

In this study, the authors examined whether individuals with disabilities report higher levels of trauma symptoms than their nondisabled counterparts. Based on trauma theory and prior research regarding the incidence rate of posttraumatic stress disorder, the authors hypothesized that individuals with disabilities would report higher levels of trauma symptoms. Results partially supported the hypothesis, with women with disabilities reporting significantly higher levels of recalled trauma symptomatology when compared with men with disabilities and with men and women without disabilities. Men with disabilities did not report significantly higher levels of trauma symptoms when compared with men and women without disabilities. Effect sizes and confidence intervals were also computed for each analysis.