Evidence suggests that African Americans (AAs) experience increased rates of adverse posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae (APNS) versus non-Hispanic whites, but few prospective studies of APNS development have been performed in this understudied population. In this analysis, we evaluated for sex differences in the rates of posttraumatic depressive symptoms (PDS) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in AAs experiencing MVC.

Research evaluating dimensions of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) has been mixed; with some studies suggesting a common higher-order vulnerability factor that drives first order factors (e.g., re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal symptoms).

The influence of minor traumatic brain injury (MTBI) on the pathogenesis of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and posttraumatic somatic symptoms commonly termed “post-concussive” (PCS) remains poorly understood.

Motor vehicle collision (MVC) is one of the most common life-threatening events experienced by US civilians. To our knowledge, no prospective studies have compared PTSD outcomes in African Americans (AAs) vs. European Americans (EAs) experiencing MVC.

Low neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) has been associated with adverse effects on stress system function and increased incidence of stress-related disorders following trauma. To our knowledge no prospective studies have evaluated the ability of nSES to predict Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) outcomes after one of the most common forms of trauma, motor vehicle collision (MVC).