This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sundin, E. C. Articles by Horowitz, M. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Sundin, E. C. Articles by Horowitz, M. J. Related Collections Health Psychology Stress and Coping

Horowitz’s Impact of Event Scale Evaluation of 20 Years of Use

From the Department of Psychology, Umea University, Umea, Sweden.

Address reprint requests to: Eva C. Sundin, Department of Psychology, Umea University, 90187 Umea, Sweden. Email: eva.sundin{at}psy.umu.se

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this meta-analysis was to model the relations between a set of independent variables (age and gender of the trauma group, country where the study was performed, year of publication, type of event, time elapsed between event and measurement) and stress symptoms.

METHODS: Data from 66 studies that used Horowitz’s IES to examine the psychological impact of a major life event were subjected to meta-analysis.

RESULTS: Results from hierarchical regression analysis indicated that type of event (episodes of illness and injury, natural and technological disaster, bereavement and loss, violence, sexual abuse, and war exposure) is a strong predictor of levels of intrusive and avoidant symptoms after a traumatic event. Intrusive and avoidant reactions reported by trauma victims tended to decrease linearly over time after the trauma. This finding was supported by the results reported by 20 different studies of stress reactions at two different time points after various events. Gender and cultural difference were relatively insignificant, whereas type of event induced different levels of stress reactions as measured with the IES.

CONCLUSION: These data provide evidence for the value of the IES as a measure of stress reactions in a number of different populations. Data summarized here will be useful as a comparison resource in future studies of stress response syndromes.

Key Words: Impact of Event Scale, • meta-analysis, • traumatic life event, • psychological stress reactions.

Abbreviations: IES = Impact of Event Scale;; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. M. Gazendam-Donofrio, H. J. Hoekstra, W. T. A. van der Graaf, H. B. M. van de Wiel, A. Visser, G. A. Huizinga, and J. E. H. M. Hoekstra-Weebers Family functioning and adolescents' emotional and behavioral problems: when a parent has cancer Ann. Onc., December 1, 2007; 18(12): 1951 - 1956. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Mystakidou, E. Parpa, E. Tsilika, M. Pathiaki, A. Galanos, and L. Vlahos Traumatic Distress and Positive Changes in Advanced Cancer Patients American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, September 1, 2007; 24(4): 270 - 276. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Lautrette, M. Darmon, B. Megarbane, L. M. Joly, S. Chevret, C. Adrie, D. Barnoud, G. Bleichner, C. Bruel, G. Choukroun, et al. A Communication Strategy and Brochure for Relatives of Patients Dying in the ICU N. Engl. J. Med., February 1, 2007; 356(5): 469 - 478. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A C. Janssens, D Buljevac, P A van Doorn, F G. van der Meche, C H Polman, J Passchier, and R Q Hintzen Prediction of anxiety and distress following diagnosis of multiple sclerosis: a two-year longitudinal study Multiple Sclerosis, November 1, 2006; 12(6): 794 - 801. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. Darensburg, M. E. Andrew, T. A. Hartley, C. M. Burchfiel, D. Fekedulegn, and J. M. Violanti Gender and Age Differences in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Among Buffalo Police Officers Traumatology, September 1, 2006; 12(3): 220 - 228. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. Azoulay, F. Pochard, N. Kentish-Barnes, S. Chevret, J. Aboab, C. Adrie, D. Annane, G. Bleichner, P. E. Bollaert, M. Darmon, et al. Risk of Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms in Family Members of Intensive Care Unit Patients Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., May 1, 2005; 171(9): 987 - 994. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C.-S. Chen, H.-Y. Wu, P. Yang, and C.-F. Yen Psychological Distress of Nurses in Taiwan Who Worked During the Outbreak of SARS Psychiatr Serv, January 1, 2005; 56(1): 76 - 79. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. G. Maunder, W. J. Lancee, S. Rourke, J. J. Hunter, D. Goldbloom, K. Balderson, P. Petryshen, R. Steinberg, D. Wasylenki, D. Koh, et al. Factors Associated With the Psychological Impact of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome on Nurses and Other Hospital Workers in Toronto Psychosom Med, November 1, 2004; 66(6): 938 - 942. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Manne, K. DuHamel, J. Ostroff, S. Parsons, D. R. Martini, S. E. Williams, L. Mee, S. Sexson, J. Austin, J. Difede, et al. Anxiety, Depressive, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders Among Mothers of Pediatric Survivors of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Pediatrics, June 1, 2004; 113(6): 1700 - 1708. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]