Complex PTSD Symptoms Predicted Future Depression in Women

A longitudinal study examining the predictive role of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociative symptoms on depression appeared in Vol. 10, Issue #3 of the European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, published by Elsevier.

The study was conducted by UST Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (RCSSED) researcher and Department of Psychology academic staff Prof. Marc S. Eric Reyes, PhD, together with fellow researchers Frank Tuan Guangzhe, Edo S. Jaya, Firdous Mukhtas, Amoes En Zhe Lian, Gorkem Derin, Peejay D. Bengwasan, Georgekutty Kochuchakkalackal Kuriala, Kadir Uludog, Steffi Hartanto, Nimaz Indryastuti Dewantary, Riangga Novrianto, and Stanley Kam Ki Lam.

The participants for this study were 293 female mental health service users recruited internationally. They were tasked with completing surveys at baseline and at six-month follow-up.

The study, conducted through controlled baseline depression, age, education, and location, hierarchical multiple regression analysis, revealed that baseline re-experiencing symptoms and depersonalization significantly and positively predicted follow-up depressive symptoms, while baseline avoidance was negatively associated with depressive symptoms.

The findings suggest that the trauma model of depression requires more research and replication. Re-experiencing, depersonalization, and avoidance may be important symptom-level targets for preventing and treating depression.

Reference: Yuan GF, Reyes MES, Jaya ES, et al. Post-traumatic and dissociative symptoms as significant predictors of depression: Results from an international follow-up survey study. Euro J Trauma Dissociation. 2026;10(3):100743. doi: 10.1016/j.ejtd.2026.100743