Depression and Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Maltreated Adolescents

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in maltreated youth is a burgeoning research area. Previous studies reveal that depression is an important contributing variable to PTSD symptoms in these youth, though the exact relationship remains unclear. This study examined a previous structural equation model in which depression mediated (a) dissociation and trauma-related cognitions and (b) PTSD symptoms among maltreated adolescents. The model was replicated among a larger and more diverse sample. The model was also evaluated for younger (age 11–13 years) and older (age 14–17 years) adolescents, females and males, and European American and ethnic minorities. The model applied best to each age group, females, and European American and multiracial youth. Findings are discussed in the context of extant PTSD models in youth as well as implications for assessment and treatment. © 2014, Springer International Publishing.