A comparison of traumatic life experiences between disabled and non-disabled patients in an internal medicine clinic.

Abstract

To our knowledge, only one study has examined the relationship between disability compensation and traumatic life events. In this study, researchers did not find a relationship between physical and sexual abuse, and disability compensation. In the present study, we examined 47 men and women in an internal medicine clinic and, using a survey method, explored disability compensation in relationship to traumatic life events and several aspects of participants’ psychiatric histories. Compared with the non-disabled group (n = 27), the disabled group (n = 20) reported a greater number of traumatic experiences; more types of traumatic experiences; and more traumatic experiences associated with fear, helplessness, or horror. While there were strong trends, none of these relationships was statistically significant. In addition, the disabled group reported significantly more psychiatric hospitalizations, panic attacks, flashbacks, and alcohol dependence. While not statistically significant, the strong positive trends between disability compensation and trauma suggest a possible relationship--one that warrants further investigation.