European Journal of Psychotraumatology最新文献

{"title":"Effectiveness in routine care: trauma-focused treatment for PTSD.","authors":"Antje Krüger-Gottschalk, Sascha T Kuck, Anne Dyer, Georg W Alpers, Andre Pittig, Nexhmedin Morina, Thomas Ehring","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2452680","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2452680","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective</b>: The efficacy of trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy (tf-CBT) has been well established in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). More research is needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of tf-CBT in routine clinical care settings.<b>Method</b>: Eighty-five patients (68 female) with a primary diagnosis of PTSD received tf-CBT at two German outpatient centres (Münster and Mannheim) between 2014 and 2016. Treatment was delivered mainly by therapists in training and treatment duration was based on symptom course. The treatment consisted of a preparation phase, a trauma-focused phase (comprising imaginal exposure, discrimination training, changing dysfunctional appraisals) and a phase of reclaiming-your-life assignments, and relapse prevention. In an intent-to-treat-analysis (ITT), linear mixed effects models were fitted for self-assessments of traumatic symptom severity using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). Potential moderators for treatment outcome, e.g. number of suicide attempts, were investigated.<b>Results</b>: The observed treatment effect was large for both the CAPS-5 (ITT: Cohen's <i>d</i> = 2.07, CI [1.62, 2.51]; completers <i>d</i> = 2.34, CI [1.84, 2.83]) and PCL-5 respectively (ITT: <i>d</i> = 2.02, CI [1.56, 2.48]; completers <i>d</i> = 2.15, CI [1.66, 2.64]), and remained stable six months and one-year post-treatment. <i>N</i> = 27 patients (31.48%) were defined as study dropout and of these, <i>n</i> = 12 (14.12%) dropped out of the study but completed treatment. None of the fixed-effect estimates for treatment predictors interacted significantly with the effect of time.<b>Conclusions</b>: Tf-CBT is well-tolerated and it can be effectively delivered in routine clinical care. Its large treatment effects underline the practicability and benefits of the approach. This trial demonstrates its broad applicability among individuals with diverse patterns of clinical characteristics and comorbidities.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2452680"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11827035/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143406253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of long-term hair steroids as diagnostic and intervention-related biomarkers in a multimorbid inpatient sample with posttraumatic stress disorder.","authors":"Lorika Shkreli, Marcella L Woud, Luisa Bergunde, Lena Schindler-Gmelch, Simon E Blackwell, Clemens Kirschbaum, Henrik Kessler, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2457295","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2025.2457295","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Steroid hormone dysregulations have frequently been implicated in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) pathogenesis. However, the translation into naturalistic clinical settings as markers of symptomatology and treatment success remains complex. Particularly, there is little longitudinal data on steroid secretion over the course of interventions.<b>Objective:</b> This study examined the potential of long-term steroid hormone secretion assessed in hair as diagnostic and intervention-related biomarkers among medicated, multimorbid inpatients with PTSD.<b>Method:</b> As part of a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial, 54 female inpatients with a primary diagnosis of PTSD received standardised treatment and provided hair samples at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Cortisol, cortisone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were determined, alongside clinical assessments.<b>Results:</b> Cross-sectional results showed a negative association of pre-treatment DHEA with anxiety symptoms and a trend-level association with lifetime trauma exposure. While inpatients improved in PTSD symptomatology during treatment, neither pre-treatment steroids, nor treatment-induced steroid changes predicted PTSD symptoms at post-treatment or 3-month follow-up.<b>Conclusion:</b> The study highlights the challenges of establishing biomarkers in naturalistic clinical populations. While the association of attenuated DHEA with anxiety symptoms warrants further exploration, our data points towards the potential necessity of patient sub-sample selection to understand, and in the long run clinically target, the endocrine mechanisms in PTSD.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2457295"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143482551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A journey towards a trauma informed and responsive Justice system: the perspectives and experiences of senior Justice workers.","authors":"Nicola Cogan, Dwight Tse, Melanie Finlayson, Samantha Lawley, Jacqueline Black, Rhys Hewitson, Suzanne Aziz, Helen Hamer, Cherrie Short","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2024.2441075","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2024.2441075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives:</b> There is a risk of re-traumatisation for survivors of trauma who engage with the Justice system, given their high propensity to encounter situations that trigger traumatic responses. While a growing body of research has explored the experience of trauma informed practice (TIP) from service user perspectives, little research has incorporated the views and experiences of practitioners working in the Justice system in terms of the implementation of TIP in their service setting.<b>Method:</b> An exploratory, qualitative research design based on semi-structured, in-depth interviews. One to one, online interviews were conducted with senior Justice workers (<i>n</i> = 22) who had undertaken theoretically informed TIP training and had responsibility for its implementation. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using an inductive, reflexive thematic approach.<b>Results:</b> The themes identified were: (1) Supporting staff and user knowledge and well-being (training, trust, safety, reflection), (2) Recognition in the value of TIP (reflected in the resources, supervision, infrastructure and physical environment), (3) Encouraging flexible, creative and collaborative ways of working (overcoming resistance).<b>Conclusions:</b> The findings have implications at the service user, provider and organisational level. Emphasis is placed on the importance of overcoming barriers to implementing TIP through adopting a whole systems approach that encourages collaborative working while supporting staff well-being, access to ongoing TIP training, supervision and resources to establish a safe working environment. Implementing a strengths-based, non-pathologising approach to TIP service delivery within the Justice system is essential. Further longitudinal work to explore the mechanisms by which TIP can help reduce re-traumatisation to service users and providers is recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2441075"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11705546/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142931061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trauma echoes: factors associated with peritraumatic distress and anxiety five days following Iranian missile attack on Israel.","authors":"Boaz M Ben-David, Tchelet E Bressler, Lia Ring, Ortal Shimon-Raz, Yuval Palgi","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2024.2446070","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2024.2446070","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> On 13-14 April 2024, Iran launched ∼300 drones and missiles at Israel, in an unprecedented attack. As most studies examine the effects of trauma months or years later, less is known about its effects days later. To fill this gap, this study gauged the population response, five days after the attack. Specifically, we examined the prevalence and factors associated with two precursors for later development of PTSD, peritraumatic distress (PD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).<b>Methods:</b> Five-hundred and fifty-three participants (M_age = 57.51, SD = 13.67 years, range [30-90], 48.3% females) reported their distal and proximal exposure to traumatic events, probable PTSD due to Israel-Hamas-War, sleeping troubles, and media information consumption during the event.<b>Results:</b> Logistic regressions indicated that, after adjusting for demographics, clinical levels of PD and GAD (respectively, using the accepted cutoffs) were significantly linked to probable PTSD due to the Israel-Hamas War (PD:OR = 4.066, 95%CI: 2.236-7.393, <i>p </i>< .001; GAD:OR =<i> </i>2.397, 95%CI: 1.285-4.471, <i>p </i>= .006), sleeping troubles (PD:OR = 1.248, 95%CI: 1.186-1.314, <i>p </i>< .001; GAD:OR = 1.325, 95%CI: 1.242-1.413, <i>p </i>< .001) and media consumption (PD:OR = 1.442, 95%CI:1.17-1.777, <i>p </i>= .001; GAD:OR = 1.515, 95%CI: 1.144-2.007, <i>p </i>= .004), but not to previous trauma (life-long exposure or Israel-Hamas war).<b>Discussion:</b> Results suggest that previous psychopathology, stress-related reactions (sleeping) and actions (media consumption), rather than previous exposures to traumatic events are the primary indices related to PD and GAD in the first days after exposure to war-related traumatic events. Findings highlight the importance of early detection of reactions and symptoms following trauma exposure. The main limitation of the study is its cross-sectional design. Future longitudinal studies are needed to understand the developmental trajectory of these effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2446070"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11721957/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142946998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Childhood-related PTSD: the role of cognitions in EMDR and imagery Rescripting.","authors":"","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2460393","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2460393","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2460393"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11812100/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143381885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining attentional avoidance in post-traumatic stress disorder: an exploratory 'Face in the Crowd' paradigm using eye-tracking.","authors":"Wivine Blekic, Mandy Rossignol, Fabien D'Hondt","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2462489","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2462489","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Maladaptive patterns of attention to emotional stimuli are a clinical feature of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Using eye-tracking-based methodology, research points out the presence of sustained attention to threatening stimuli in individuals with PTSD. However, most eye-tracking studies in this field used free-viewing tasks on negative stimuli.<b>Methods:</b> PTSD patients (<i>n</i> = 38), trauma-exposed healthy controls (TEHC; <i>n</i> = 30), and non-trauma-exposed healthy controls (HC; <i>n</i> = 33) performed a Face in the Crowd (FiC) task. The FiC task was chosen to explore specific responses to emotional stimuli within a competitive visual environment, thus providing insights into visual search patterns. Both reaction time and gaze patterns (dwell time, scanpath length, first fixation duration, and latency) were recorded.<b>Results:</b> Individuals with a provisional PTSD diagnosis presented decreased dwell time on both positive and negative targets in comparison with HC and TEHC, as well as shorter scanpath length for all matrixes when no targets were present. No evidence of attentional bias was observed in the TEHC group based on reaction times or eye-tracking measures in response to positive, negative, or neutral cues.<b>Discussion:</b> We found an attentional avoidance pattern among PTSD patients, along with indexes of lowered perceptual threshold for all emotional information. This study allows raising the question of cognitive load on the emergence of differential attentional strategies presented by PTSD participants. We discuss the generalization of fear processes across different emotional stimuli and underscore the need for incorporating a variety of emotional stimuli in PTSD research.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2462489"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11823380/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143398688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bidirectional relationships among complex PTSD, dissociation, and psychotic symptoms in two samples.","authors":"Hong Wang Fung, Anson Kai Chun Chau, Stanley Kam Ki Lam, Grace Wing Ka Ho, Colin A Ross, Ming Yu Claudia Wong, Edward K S Wang, Wai Tong Chien, Janet Yuen-Ha Wong","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2458364","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2458364","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Although trauma-related symptoms (e.g. complex PTSD and dissociative symptoms) and psychotic symptoms often co-occur, little is known about the complex relationships among these symptoms over time.<b>Objective:</b> This study examined the bidirectional relationships among complex PTSD symptoms, dissociative symptoms, and positive symptoms of psychosis.<b>Methods:</b> This study analyzed available longitudinal data from two convenience samples (Sample 1: <i>N</i> = 214, Chinese-speaking adults; Sample 2: <i>N</i> = 301, English-speaking adults). Participants in both samples completed validated measures of ICD-11 complex PTSD (that included measurement of 'classical' PTSD), dissociation, and positive symptoms of psychosis at baseline and follow-up, six months (Sample 1) or 12 months (Sample 2) apart. A cross-lagged panel model was used to examine the longitudinal relationship between trauma-related symptoms and psychotic symptoms in each sample.<b>Results:</b> In Sample 1, baseline dissociative symptoms significantly predicted positive symptoms of psychosis at follow-up. In Sample 2, no significant longitudinal relationships between trauma-related and psychotic symptoms were observed. In both samples, baseline disturbances in self-organization (DSO) symptoms predicted 'classical' PTSD symptoms at follow-up.<b>Conclusion:</b> This study made the first attempt to examine the longitudinal relationships among ICD-11 complex PTSD symptoms, dissociative symptoms, and psychotic symptoms. The inconsistent findings point to the importance of further research on the longitudinal relationships between trauma-related and psychotic symptoms. Moreover, our results indicate that addressing DSO symptoms may be important in the prevention and treatment of PTSD symptoms.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2458364"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11834766/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143432731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD: prevalence, predictors, and construct validity in Swiss older adults.","authors":"Myriam V Thoma, Enya Redican, Nathanael Adank, Valerie B Schneemann, Mark Shevlin, Andreas Maercker, Shauna L Rohner","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2024.2445368","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2024.2445368","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> This study assessed the prevalence rates, construct validity, predictors, and psychosocial factors linked to ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD), as assessed by the <i>International Trauma Questionnaire</i> (ITQ) in a German-speaking sample of Swiss older adults.<b>Method:</b> Participants were <i>N</i> = 1526 older adults aged 65+ (<i>M_age</i> = 72.34; <i>SD</i> = 6.20 years; age range = 65-95; female = 72.0%). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested alternative models of the latent structure of the ITQ. Risk factors and psychological outcomes associated with the ITQ subscales were also examined.<b>Results:</b> From the total sample, 86.2% had experienced at least one potentially traumatic event (PTE), with a median of three PTEs per person. Probable PTSD and CPTSD prevalence was 0.4% and 2.4%, respectively. CFA results indicated that a two-factor second-order model best captured the latent structure of the ITQ. Female gender and specific traumas, such as physical and sexual assault, were uniquely associated with PTSD. Fewer, non-specific factors were linked to disturbances in self-organization (DSO; encompassing affective dysregulation, a negative self-view, and difficulties in relationships). The PTSD and CPTSD factors were significantly associated with loneliness, anxiety, depression, and well-being.<b>Conclusions:</b> Results found that despite high trauma exposure among Swiss older adults, the prevalence of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD was low, with no significant gender differences. A two-factor second-order model provided the best fit for the ITQ. These findings indicate significant trauma exposure in Swiss older adults and the need for targeted interventions that address the trauma-specific and associated psychosocial challenges (i.e. loneliness, anxiety, depression, well-being) facing older adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2445368"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142920805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Heterogeneity in racist events and posttraumatic mental health among Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) first responders.","authors":"Ling Jin, Sidonia E Compton, Hawra Al-Khaz'Aly, Ateka A Contractor","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2024.2447202","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2024.2447202","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) first responders in Canada report experiencing racism and an increased risk of trauma-related mental health symptoms.<b>Objective:</b> Using a BIPOC first responder sample in Canada, the present study examined subgroups of BIPOC first responders based on the frequency of different types of racist events, and their relations with mental health symptoms (posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] symptom clusters of intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood [NACM], and alterations in arousal and reactivity [AAR]; depression severity; anxiety severity).<b>Method:</b> The sample included 196 BIPOC first responders who reported more than one traumatic experience (<i>M</i>_age= 35.30; 71.4% men).<b>Results:</b> Latent profile analyses indicated a best-fitting 3-profile solution: Low (Profile 1), Moderate (Profile 2), and High (Profile 3) Frequency of Racist Events. Multinomial logistic regression indicated that BIPOC first responders reporting more frequent racist events endorsed greater depression severity, anxiety severity, and PTSD's NACM symptom severity.<b>Conclusions:</b> Findings improve our understanding of subgroups of BIPOC first responders based on the frequency and types of racist events they experience. Results highlight the need to incorporate assessments of racism-related experiences into therapeutic work, and to target depression, anxiety, and NACM symptoms among those who encounter more racist events.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2447202"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11721964/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142946944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predicting PTSD development with early post-trauma assessments: a proof-of-concept for a concise tree-based classification method.","authors":"Chia-Hao Shih, Elyssa Charlotte Feuer, Ben Kurzion, Kevin Xu, Hong Xie, Stephen R Grider, Xin Wang","doi":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2458365","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20008066.2025.2458365","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Approximately 70% of individuals globally experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetimes, potentially leading to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Understanding the development of PTSD and devising effective prevention and treatment strategies are crucial. This proof-of-concept study aimed to design a concise tree-based adaptive test using the Classification and Regression Trees (CART) framework to predict PTSD development.<b>Methods:</b> Utilizing data from a longitudinal neuroimaging study, adult trauma survivors were enrolled from local hospital emergency departments within 48 h of experiencing trauma. Participants who completed psychological evaluations within 2 weeks post-trauma and a PTSD diagnosis assessment at 3 months were included in the analytic sample (<i>n</i> = 143). A total of 131 features including demographic, trauma-related, and behavioural and clinical symptoms were collected during this initial two-week post-trauma period. The performance of the CART model was benchmarked against two of the most powerful and widely used machine learning algorithms in the field, Random Forest (RF) and Gradient Boosting (GB) models.<b>Results:</b> The CART model, which incorporates just three critical questions from established assessments, predicted PTSD development with performance closely matched to that of the RF and GB models. The CART model achieved an accuracy of 0.641 and an AUC of 0.663, which showed only slightly worse performance compared to the RF and GB models. Its efficiency in utilizing a minimal set of questions for prediction highlights its potential for practical application in early PTSD detection and intervention strategies.<b>Conclusion:</b> The CART framework demonstrates a streamlined and efficient method for predicting PTSD onset in trauma survivors. While showing promise for practical application, further validation and refinement are necessary to enhance its predictive performance and establish its broader utility in early intervention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12055,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Psychotraumatology","volume":"16 1","pages":"2458365"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11837934/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143440360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}