Does time matter? The temporal relationship between peritraumatic reactions and post-traumatic stress disorder: parallel-process latent growth curve model

Background Peritraumatic dissociation and distress are among the most frequently studied early correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet their temporal role following large-scale disasters remains insufficiently understood. Aims This study examined the temporal relationship between peritraumatic dissociation, peritraumatic distress and PTSD symptoms across 3 waves spanning 2 years following the February 2023 Turkey earthquakes. Method Data were collected approximately 2 months (Time 1; N = 261), 1 year (Time 2; n = 182) and 2 years post-earthquake (Time 3; n = 131). PTSD symptoms, peritraumatic dissociation and peritraumatic distress were assessed using validated self-report instruments. Pearson correlation analyses and parallel-process latent growth curve models (LGMs) were used to examine temporal changes and longitudinal associations. Results Higher initial levels of peritraumatic dissociation ( β = 0.40, p < 0.001) and distress ( β = 0.46, p < 0.001) significantly predicted greater initial PTSD severity. However, neither peritraumatic dissociation nor distress predicted the slope of PTSD symptoms over time, and slope covariances were non-significant. All three variables declined substantially across waves (ηp 2 = 0.75 to 0.79). Conclusions Peritraumatic reactions appear to function primarily as indicators of early PTSD severity rather than determinants of long-term symptom trajectories. These findings support multi-stage screening approaches that extend beyond early peritraumatic assessments to incorporate post-traumatic cognitive, social and environmental factors.