Edinburgh Napier University

  Background: Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are at greater risk of exposure to traumatic life events compared to the non-ID population. Yet no study to date has examined the role of multiple traumatisation and subsequent psychopathology in people with ID. The aim of this study was to explore the association between multiple traumatisation and subsequent mental health.
Method: A preliminary cross-sectional study involving 33 participants with DSM-V PTSD completed self-report questionnaires on exposure to traumatic life events and PTSD symptoms, anxiety, depression and general distress.
Results: A proportion of 42.4% of the sample reported multiple traumatisation, including exposure to life events in both childhood and adulthood. Those who reported exposure to life events in childhood and adulthood reported significantly higher risk of harm, depression and general psychological distress compared to those who reported exposure to life events only in adulthood.
Conclusions: Preliminary results indicate that more severe psychopathology is associated with multiple traumatisation in childhood and adulthood compared to trauma experienced solely in adulthood.