PTSD환자의 형사적 사법절차와 임상증상의 관련성

Correlation between Criminal Proceedings and Clinical Symptoms of PTSD Patients: Increase in Hazardous Drinking

Introduction: Criminal proceedings have been known as stressors for PTSD patients as well as provoking re-experience of trauma, which can worsen clinical symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between criminal proceedings and the psychiatric symptoms in Korean PTSD patients. Methods: From March 2019 to November 2020, 63 PTSD patients at University Hospital were enrolled in this study. Among them, 11 patients were involved in the process of criminal proceedings. All patients were assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), PTSD checklist-5 (PCL- 5), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Korea Version of Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-K) and, the P4 Suicidality Screener (P4). Results: PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and hazardous drinking were higher in the group of criminal proceedings. There was no significant difference in suicidal idea between the two groups. Involving criminal proceedings of PTSD patients was significantly related to hazardous drinking, and the results were significant even after controlling the severity of PTSD symptoms. Conclusion : The criminal proceedings were associated with the worsening of clinical symptoms in PTSD patients and had an independent effect on hazardous drinking. Our results suggest that interventions and social support for effective coping strategies for the trauma survivor involved in criminal proceedings are needed.