Post-traumatic stress disorder: findings from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being

Background. We report on the epidemiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the Australian community, including information on lifetime expo sure to trauma, 12-month prevalence of PTSD, sociodemographic correlates an d co-morbidity. Methods. Data were obtained from a stratified sample of 10641 participants as part of the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being. A modified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to determine the presence of PTSD, as well as other DSM-IV anxiety, af fective and substance use disorders. Results. The estimated 12-month prevalence of PTSD was 1.33%, which is cons iderably lower than that found in comparable North American studies. Althou gh females were at greater risk than males within the subsample of those wh o had experienced trauma, the large gender differences noted in some recent epidemiological research were not replicated. Prevalence was elevated amon g the never married and previously married respondents, and was lower among those aged over 55. For both men and women, rape and sexual molestation we re the traumatic events most likely to be associated with PTSD. A high leve l of Axis I co-morbidity was found among those persons with PTSD Conclusions. PTSD is a highly prevalent disorder in the Australian communit y and is routinely associated with high rates of anxiety, depression and su bstance disorders. Future research is needed to investigate rates among oth er populations outside the North American continent.