A Measurement Model of Factors Associated with PTSD Symptoms
Beverly A. Spears, PhD; Muna Bhattarai, Ph.D., RN, CRC; Jackson de Carvalho, PhD

Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic incited widespread and varied adverse biopsychosocial responses in the general population. The World Health Organization defines a pandemic as a worldwide epidemic affecting many people. The pandemic was documented in the relevant literature as a potentially traumatic event leading to high prevalence rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This quantitative research study included a set of research questions and hypotheses, which evolved from gaps in the literature related to the impact of Contextual factors on the PTSD Symptoms of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data for this study were collected from a random sample of n=614 undergraduate students from two universities in the Fall of 2022. This research study aimed to test a hypothesized statistical model of contextual factors associated with PTSD Symptoms among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to test the research questions. Statistical indices indicated significant direct and indirect effects of contextual variables on PTSD scores. Identifying the main contextual factors associated with PTSD symptoms can inform the development of intervention strategies leading to increased utilization of mental health services.

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