Exposure to traumatic events poses greater risk for irritability in girls than in boys

Abstract Background Considerable research has documented the effects of trauma exposure on conduct disorder and delinquency in high-risk and predominantly male samples. However, less is known about sex differences in the effects of trauma exposure on distinct features of conduct problems in non-clinical samples. Method In this study, we used cross-sectional data from the Young-HUNT4 study (2017-2019), a population-based study of adolescents aged 13 to 19 years old in Norway, to examine sex differences in concurrent associations between trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, irritability, and antisocial behavior. The sample consisted of 7422 adolescents (3611 boys). Results Trauma exposure, both specific traumatic events and summed traumatic events, were associated with irritability and antisocial behavior for both sexes. Interaction effects for sex were detected only for the association between trauma exposure and irritability. The odds ratio was significantly higher for girls, indicating that the effect of experiencing one additional traumatic event increased the risk of irritability more for girls than for boys. Limitations The study is based on cross-sectional data, thus precluding causal interpretations. Conclusion The association between trauma and irritability and antisocial behavior was confirmed for both sexes in our study. However, the effect of experiencing one additional traumatic event on irritability was stronger for girls than for boys. The findings can inform the development of preventative and clinical interventions targeting irritability for adolescent boys and girls.