Running head : PTSD RISK FACTORS Risk Factors for the Development of PTSD

There have not been a great deal of studies done on all of the risk factors for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), however the research that has been done has provided copious amounts of information to our understanding of what exactly increases the risk for developing this disorder. Some of the most well known risk factors for PTSD are genetics, ethnicity, previous trauma, previous psychological conditions, personality, and social support. Eight studies were reviewed to gain a stronger understanding of the role each of these factors play in the development of PTSD.