Addressing heterogeneity in trauma responses in research and clinical practice: reflections and recommendations from early career researchers.
7 affiliations
- 1Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- 2Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- 3Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- 4ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands.
- 5Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- 6Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- 7Department of Psychology, Danish Center of Psychotraumatology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Abstract
Background: There is considerable heterogeneity in how individuals respond to potentially traumatic events (PTEs). Recognising and addressing this heterogeneity has become an increasingly important focus within psychotraumatology, leading to the development of diverse research and clinical approaches. Yet, there remains an opportunity to further integrate these developments into research and clinical practice.Objective: This letter critically reflects on recent developments in psychotrauma research and practice and discusses complementary methodological and clinical approaches that may further account for heterogeneity in trauma-related responses.Methods: Drawing on current literature and reflections from a recent international early career researcher networking event, we present reflections and practical recommendations across five domains: conceptualisation, sampling and eligibility, measurement and outcomes, analysis, and intervention.Results: We identify several promising developments and opportunities for further advancing the field: (1) complementing categorical diagnostic frameworks with transdiagnostic and adiagnostic approaches; (2) broadening eligibility criteria to include comorbid, subclinical, and diverse trauma-exposed populations; (3) expanding outcome assessment beyond PTSD symptom reduction to include transdiagnostic, culturally sensitive outcome measures valued by patients; (4) incorporating person-centered analytic strategies to better capture within-sample heterogeneity; and (5) prioritising the development and evaluation of transdiagnostic, indicated, and scalable interventions.Conclusions: Considerable progress has been made in developing approaches that acknowledge the heterogeneity of responses to PTEs. Addressing heterogeneity in responses to PTEs requires inclusive, flexible, and diverse approaches in both research and clinical practice. The recommendations outlined here aim to further promote ecologically valid and representative psychotrauma research, ultimately improving care for diverse trauma-exposed populations.
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BibTeX
@article{dasen2026addressing,
title = {{Addressing heterogeneity in trauma responses in research and clinical practice: reflections and recommendations from early career researchers.}},
author = {Lisa Dasen and Lynn Alison Büeler and Bram Kemmere and Lisanne Belt and Valerie X C Hofmann and Ira Karaban and Federica Nava and Greta Piwanski and Anni Ravn Stein and Elizabeth Rochon and Karl Juri Weinreich},
journal = {European journal of psychotraumatology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1080/20008066.2026.2739016},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42900562},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Addressing heterogeneity in trauma responses in research and clinical practice: reflections and recommendations from early career researchers.
AU - Lisa Dasen
AU - Lynn Alison Büeler
AU - Bram Kemmere
AU - Lisanne Belt
AU - Valerie X C Hofmann
AU - Ira Karaban
AU - Federica Nava
AU - Greta Piwanski
AU - Anni Ravn Stein
AU - Elizabeth Rochon
AU - Karl Juri Weinreich
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - European journal of psychotraumatology
DO - 10.1080/20008066.2026.2739016
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42900562
AB - Background: There is considerable heterogeneity in how individuals respond to potentially traumatic events (PTEs). Recognising and addressing this heterogeneity has become an increasingly important focus within psychotraumatology, leading to the development of diverse research and clinical approaches. Yet, there remains an opportunity to further integrate these developments into research and clinical practice.Objective: This letter critically reflects on recent developments in psychotrauma research and practice and discusses complementary methodological and clinical approaches that may further account for heterogeneity in trauma-related responses.Methods: Drawing on current literature and reflections from a recent international early career researcher networking event, we present reflections and practical recommendations across five domains: conceptualisation, sampling and eligibility, measurement and outcomes, analysis, and intervention.Results: We identify several promising developments and opportunities for further advancing the field: (1) complementing categorical diagnostic frameworks with transdiagnostic and adiagnostic approaches; (2) broadening eligibility criteria to include comorbid, subclinical, and diverse trauma-exposed populations; (3) expanding outcome assessment beyond PTSD symptom reduction to include transdiagnostic, culturally sensitive outcome measures valued by patients; (4) incorporating person-centered analytic strategies to better capture within-sample heterogeneity; and (5) prioritising the development and evaluation of transdiagnostic, indicated, and scalable interventions.Conclusions: Considerable progress has been made in developing approaches that acknowledge the heterogeneity of responses to PTEs. Addressing heterogeneity in responses to PTEs requires inclusive, flexible, and diverse approaches in both research and clinical practice. The recommendations outlined here aim to further promote ecologically valid and representative psychotrauma research, ultimately improving care for diverse trauma-exposed populations.
SN - 2000-8066
ER -