Childhood Trauma, Rumination, Emotional Avoidance, Social Isolation, and Psychological Inflexibility as Predictors of PTSD Symptoms among Trauma Survivors in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined childhood trauma, rumination, emotional avoidance, social isolation, and psychological inflexibility as predictors of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms among trauma survivors in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design with a sample of 180 trauma survivors selected through multistage sampling technique. Standardised instruments including the PCL-5, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Ruminative Responses Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II were used for data collection. Data were analysed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression at 0.05 significance level. Results revealed that all variables had significant positive relationships with PTSD symptoms, with childhood trauma (r = 0.68), psychological inflexibility (r = 0.66), rumination (r = 0.63), social isolation (r = 0.62), and emotional avoidance (r = 0.60). The regression analysis showed that the variables jointly explained 66% of the variance in PTSD symptoms (R² = 0.66, F = 69.44, p < .05). Furthermore, childhood trauma (β = 0.40) and psychological inflexibility (β = 0.38) were the strongest predictors of PTSD symptoms. The study concludes that PTSD symptoms are significantly influenced by cognitive, emotional, and social vulnerabilities among trauma survivors. It recommends integrated trauma-focused and psychosocial interventions to reduce PTSD severity in the study area.