Moving beyond gender: a systematic review of diversity data gaps in prospective trauma research.

Background

To better understand heterogeneity in PTSD development and to ensure that knowledge of risk and intervention mechanisms is available for a diverse group of trauma exposed individuals, psychotraumatology needs to consider diversity in sample characteristics.

Objective

In a comprehensive overview, we evaluated how nine diversity domains including age, socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, care responsibilities, religion/worldview, mental health, physical health, and disability status were considered in prospective PTSD research. In in-depth analyses, we further investigated the assessment and representation of population groups with regard to age, SES and race/ethnicity.Method: Secondary analysis of a meta-analysis project that examined sex and gender considerations among k = 45 studies that prospectively assessed PTSD symptoms in trauma exposed individuals. In this study, additional information on diversity assessment and characteristics was systematically extracted and analysed.

Results

While age was assessed in all studies, consideration of the remaining diversity domains was insufficient, ranging from 57.8% of studies for SES to 0.0% regarding sexual orientation and care responsibilities. The number of considered diversity domains did not increase over years. Our in-depth analyses showed that middle-aged, well-educated and racially non-marginalised individuals were overrepresented.

Conclusions

Our study revealed diversity data gaps in reporting and representation, limiting the generalisability of research findings. Recommendations for increased diversity considerations are discussed.