Do potentially traumatic events experienced by people in one's social circle affect one's own mental health and emotional support? Findings from a prospective population-based study

Background: Adults may have individuals in their social circle who were recently exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTEs). The present study aims to examine if these adults are at increased risk for mental health problems and reduced emotional support.
Methods: Data was extracted from annual surveys of the prospective VICTIMS-study (2018–2025), conducted with the Dutch population-based LISS panel. We selected adult respondents who participated in two consecutive surveys (T1-T2, N = 7933). Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted with anxiety and depression (ADS) and PTSD symptomology (PTSS) related to PTEs respondents themselves were exposed to, and lack of emotional support at T2 as dependent variables, while controlling for especially pre-existing psychosocial
problems at T1.
Results: Having individuals in one's social circle who were affected by PTEs did not increase the respondents' risk of PTSS. Repeatedly, significant effects on respondents' mental health disappeared after controlling for their preexisting
problems. Among non-affected male respondents, those with by PTEs affected individuals in their social circle more often lacked emotional support at T2. With respect to non-affected female respondents, those with affected individuals in their social circle significantly more often had severe ADS. Among by PTEs affected female respondents, those with affected individuals in their social circle more often had moderate-severe ADS. However, effects were small.
Conclusion: The negative effects of having individuals in one's social circle who were recently affected by PTEs on one's own mental health and emotional support were limited and small. Results underscore the importance of controlling for pre-existing problems.