Causal discovery replicates symptomatic and functional interrelations of posttraumatic stress across five patient populations

Introduction Approximately half of individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may meet criteria for other psychiatric disorders, and PTSD symptoms are associated diminished health psychosocial functioning. However, few studies examine the longitudinal progression concurrent related symptom domains functional outcomes, such that neglect important patterns beyond specifically. Methods Therefore, we used causal discovery analysis to interrelations among symptoms, depressive substance abuse, various functioning in five cohorts representing veterans ( n = 241), civilians seeking treatment anxiety disorders 79), civilian women post-traumatic abuse 116), active duty military members assessed 0–90 days following TBI 243), a history 43). Results The analyses revealed consistent, directed associations from independent trajectories use problems, cascading indirect relations social through depression as well direct outcomes. Discussion Our findings suggest primarily drive over time, tend show independence cascade into impairment domains. results have implications refining conceptualization co-morbidity can inform prognostic hypotheses about experiencing along co-occurring distress or impairment.