[Neuroticism and post-traumatic stress disorder: a meta-analytic study]. / Neuroticismo y trastorno por estrés postraumático: un estudio meta-analítico.

BACKGROUND: There are conflicting results on the role of neuroticism as a risk factor for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The objectives of this study were to estimate the magnitude and direction of the association between neuroticism and PTSD, and to analyze the influence of different moderator variables on effect size. METHODS: A systematic review and a meta-analysis were carried out. The search for studies was conducted in Medline, IME, PsycINFO, Trip Database, and Google Scholar, until October 2012. A hand search was also carried out and main researchers were contacted. INCLUSION CRITERIA: (a) empirical studies of the association between neuroticism and PTSD using validated scales or diagnostic criteria (DSM, ICD), (b) in participants exposed to a traumatic event and (c) written in English or Spanish. Two independent evaluators performed the selection and extracted the data following a previously developed protocol. The random-effects model was applied to obtain the mean effect size and to explore moderators. RESULTS: Out of 96 potential articles, 34 fulfilled the inclusion criteria (9,941 participants). The mean effect size was r+ = 0.371 (95%CI: 0.327 and 0.414). Publication bias was discarded as a threat. A predictive model was elaborated with three variables (reporting of ethnicity, age, and type of sample). CONCLUSION: Neuroticism can be considered as a risk factor for PTSD in people who have been exposed to a traumatic event. These findings are relevant for developing preventive interventions and treatments.

Neuroticismo y trastorno por estrés postraumático: un estudio metaanalítico / Neuroticism and post traumatic stress disorder: a metaanalytic study

Fundamentos: Existen resultados contradictorios sobre el papel del neuroticismo como factor de riesgo del trastorno por estrés postraumático (TEPT). Los objetivos de este estudio fueron estimar la magnitud y dirección de la asociación entre neuroticismo y TEPT así como analizar la influencia de diferentes variables moderadoras sobre el tamaño del efecto. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática y un metaanálisis. La búsqueda de estudios se efectuó en Medline, IME, PsycINFO, Trip Databse y Google Scholar, siendo el límite temporal hasta octubre de 2012. También se hizo una búsqueda manual y se contactó con los autores principales. Criterios de inclusión: (a) estudios empíricos que analizaran la asociación entre neuroticismo y TEPT mediante escalas validadas o criterios diagnósticos (DSM, CIE); (b) en sujetos expuestos a un evento traumático y (c) escritos en inglés o español. Dos evaluadores independientes realizaron la selección y codificaron los datos siguiendo el protocolo previamente elaborado. Se aplicó el modelo de efectos aleatorios para obtener el tamaño del efecto medio y explorar variables moderadoras. Resultados: De 96 artículos elegibles, 34 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión (9.941 participantes). El tamaño del efecto medio fue r+=0,371 (IC95%: 0,3270,414). Se descartó que hubiera sesgo de publicación. Se construyó un modelo predictivo con tres variables (reporte de la etnia, edad y tipo de muestra: comunitaria o clínica). Conclusión: El neuroticismo puede considerarse un factor de riesgo para el TEPT en personas que han estado expuestas a un evento traumático. Estos hallazgos son importantes para la elaboración de actuaciones preventivas y de intervención (AU)

Background: There are conflicting results on the role of neuroticism as a risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The objectives of this study were to estimate the magnitude and direction of the association between neuroticism and PTSD, and to analyze the influence of different moderator variables on effect size. Methods: A systematic review and a metaanalysis were carried out. The search for studies was conducted in Medline, IME, PsycINFO, Trip Database, and Google Scholar, until October 2012.Ahand search was also carried out and main researchers were contacted. Inclusion criteria: (a) empirical studies of the association between neuroticism and PTSD using validated scales or diagnostic criteria (DSM, ICD), (b) in participants exposed to a traumatic event and (c) written in English or Spanish. Two independent evaluators performed the selection and extracted the data following a previously developed protocol. The randomeffects model was applied to obtain the mean effect size and to explore moderators. Results: Out of 96 potential articles, 34 fulfilled the inclusion criteria (9,941 participants). The mean effect size was r+ = 0.371 (95%CI: 0.327 and 0.414). Publication bias was discarded as a threat.Apredictive model was elaborated with three variables (reporting of ethnicity, age, and type of sample). Conclusion: Neuroticism can be considered as a risk factor for PTSD in people who have been exposed to a traumatic event. These findings are relevant for developing preventive interventions and treatments (AU)