Potentially traumatic life events and mental health conditions. Identifying the role of resilience in a cross-sectional study from Northwestern Germany

Objectives Potentially traumatic life events (PTEs) are associated with increased risk of depression. Yet there is limited evidence on the association between quantity and type of PTEs and mental health in rural areas. This study examines the relationship between PTEs, resilience and mental health conditions (depression, anxiety) in Northwestern Germany. Methods Cross-sectional population-based study of adults (n = 354) assessing sociodemographic factors, resilience (BRS), depression (PHQ-9), PTEs (LEC-5). Clusters of PTEs were identified on a conceptual basis. Linear regression analysis investigated association between PTEs and mental health. Resilience as a moderator was tested. Results Depression was reported by 16.1% (n = 57), anxiety by 11.9% (n = 42) of the participants. PTE clusters identified were accidental/injury (n = 300, 84.7%), loss/life-threatening (n = 299, 84.5%), victimization (n = 218, 61.6%), and war/conflict-related events (n = 88, 24.9%). War/conflict-related events were linked with higher depression (B = 1.330, 95% CI: 0.013, 2.647). Resilience moderated the association between PTEs and depression. Conclusion Cumulative and type of PTEs (especially war/conflict related) were associated with worse mental health. Resilience moderated associations with depression at lower resilience levels.