Relationships Between Interpersonal Trauma, Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Other Mental Health Problems in Girls in Compulsory Residential Care

This cross-sectional study examined the relationships (using structural equation modeling) between exposure to early-onset interpersonal trauma, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), symptoms of complex PTSD, and other mental health problems. The participants were 92 girls recruited from 3 residential treatment facilities. Exposure to early-onset interpersonal trauma was directly related to mental health problems and symptoms of PTSD mediated the relationship between exposure to early-onset interpersonal trauma and mental health problems. Symptoms of complex PTSD did not significantly mediate this relationship. These findings have direct implications for rehabilitation efforts in girls in compulsory residential care.