Is the development of PTSD blind to differences in social resources?

In recent years, Israeli youth have been exposed to ongoing missile attacks in the southern region of the country. One of the outcomes of exposure to this kind of stress situation is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Based on an ecological approach, the study focused on examining the contribution of adolescents' environmental resources to PTSD, with particular emphasis on the contribution of place of residence. In addition, the contribution of the adolescents' personal resources and background variables was examined, as well as the contribution of the perceived threat for loss of resources. The findings revealed that levels of PTSD were higher among adolescents living in low socioeconomic status (SES) localities than among those living in high SES localities. In addition, the findings revealed that the adolescent's age, participation in the community and perceived danger contribute positively to PTSD, whereas sense of mastery contribute negatively to PTSD.