Single Article

Effect of stigma on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in college students: a propensity score matching analysis

To examine the relationship between stigma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among college students. With cluster random sampling method, 1 312 college students were surveyed from various types of higher education institutions. Propensity score matching was employed to control potential confounding variables such as gender, age, and education level. Stigma were compared between the PTSD and non-PTSD groups. After matching, the students in the PTSD group (n＝139) exhibited significantly higher levels of stigma compared to the non-PTSD group (n＝139, P＜0.01). Further analysis revealed that stigma significantly affected all PTSD symptom clusters, with the strongest association found for hyperarousal and reactivity symptoms. Individuals with PTSD may experience more severe stigma, which in turn may exacerbate their PTSD symptoms. Greater attention should be given to the potential impact of stigma on PTSD symptoms in college students, and effective interventions are needed to address this issue.