Evolutionary Human Sciences · 2 authors, 2 centres
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Using data from US Army soldiers, this cohort study found that a fast life history orientation — characterized by early adversity, greater risk-taking, and fewer long-term investments — was a strong positive predictor of PTSD risk, contradicting the hypothesis that such an orientation might buffer against PTSD. PTSD risk ranged from approximately 15% at the low end of the life history construct to over 50% at the high end.
A fast life history orientation — associated with a harsh early environment — was a potent positive predictor of PTSD risk, even after controlling for trauma exposure, early adversity, sex, age, race, resilience, and subjective coping resources. PTSD risk ranged from approximately 15% at the low end to over 50% at the high end of the distribution. The authors acknowledge key limitations: the military sample is not representative of the US civilian population; early adversity measures were limited to a proxy for SES (parent's education) and a few head injury items; and head injury itself is independently associated with PTSD, potentially confounding analyses.
