When do traumatic experiences alter risk-taking behavior? A machine learning analysis of reports from refugees.

ABSTRACT: Exposure to traumatic stressors and subsequent trauma-related mental changes may alter a person's risk-taking behavior. It is unclear whether this relationship depends on the specific types of traumatic experiences. Moreover, the association has never been tested in displaced individuals with substantial levels of traumatic experiences. The present study assessed risk-taking behavior in 56 displaced individuals by means of the balloon analogue risk task (BART). Exposure to traumatic events, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression were assessed by means of semi-structured interviews. Using a novel statistical approach (stochastic gradient boosting machines), we analyzed predictors of risk-taking behavior. Exposure to organized violence was associated with less risk-taking,

SUBMITTER: Augsburger M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5428957 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature