Prospective predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms following two “armed and dangerous person” campus lockdowns

The current study examined predictors of posttraumatic stress (PTS) and general distress symptoms following two campus-wide “armed and dangerous person” lockdowns at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Participants (N = 287) completed baseline surveys four weeks post-lockdowns, with 115 participating in follow-ups over seven months. Utilizing the cognitive model of PTSD, we investigated posttraumatic cognitions, anxiety sensitivity (AS), and prior trauma as predictors of PTS and general distress. Results revealed that higher initial posttraumatic cognitions and AS were associated with greater PTS and distress symptom severity. Interestingly, elevated posttraumatic cognitions predicted a faster reduction in PTS symptoms over time, while AS effects remained stable. Prior trauma did not significantly predict outcomes. These findings highlight the roles of specific cognitive factors in shaping responses to trauma and emphasize the potential for targeted interventions to mitigate symptoms following collective stressful events.