The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines a traumatic event (TE) as exposure to threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence. Such exposure may occur directly or indirectly by witnessing the event, learning of the event occurring to a loved one, or repeated confrontation with aversive details of such event (e.g. emergency responders) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Exposure to TEs is a prerequisite for the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is also associated with a wide range of other adverse mental and physical health outcomes (e.g. Turner & Lloyd, 1995; Norman et al. 2006; Galea et al. 2007; Spitzer et al. 2009; Keyes et al. 2013; Scott et al. 2013). Understanding who is at risk for exposure to TEs is consequently of considerable interest. However, trauma research has focused mainly on consequences of exposure. Much less is known about the distribution or predictors of TEs. Such information could be valuable in targeting preventive interventions and anticipating service needs.
