PTSD Symptoms and Quality of Life after Childhood Traumatic Experiences: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relation between posttraumatic stress symptoms and quality of life in samples of participants exposed to childhood traumatic experiences. To test these relations, we conducted a systematic review of the literature on PTSD symptoms and quality of life. We identified 16 eligible studies that we included in the meta-analysis. Based on previous literature, we hypothesized that: (1) there is a negative relation between PTSD symptoms and quality of life; (2) the relation between PTSD symptoms and quality of life differs based on the type of childhood trauma and the type of trauma exposure; (3) the relation between PTSD symptoms and quality of life differs based on the dimensions of quality of life; (4) the relation between PTSD symptoms and quality of life vary according to gender, age, the region where the studies were conducted, the type of PTSD symptomatology measurement, and quality of life. The quantitative analysis was conducted using meta-analytic techniques. Results sustained the fact that there is a negative relation between PTSD symptoms and quality of life. Moreover, the relation between PTSD symptoms and quality of life depends on the type of trauma, gender, age, region where the studies were conducted, type of measure for PTSD symptoms, and quality of life. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.