This is a Nivel certified Post Print, more info at nivel.nl The longitudinal effect of social recognition on PTSD symptomatology and vice versa: Evidence from a population-based study Peter G. van der Veldena a, *, Marije Oudejans b , Marcel Das a , Mark W.G. Bosmans c , Andreas Maercker d a CentERdata and Tilburg University's Network on Health and Behavior (Nethlab), Tilburg, the Netherlands b CentERdata, Tilburg, the Netherlands c Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL), Utrecht, the Netherlands d Department of Psychology Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, University of Zurich, Switzerland A B S T R A C T A specific type of social support after potentially traumatic events is called “social recognition”. It is the acknowledgement or validation of event‐related thoughts, behavior, and feelings by the individual or others. It consists of positive individual or societal reactions that recognize and acknowledge victims’ traumatic experiences and difficulties. Current studies suggest that social recognition protects against the development of PTSD symptomatology, but there is a lack of population-based studies assessing the longitudinal interplay between PTSD symptomatology and social recognition. For this purpose, we conducted a longitudinal study using the Dutch LISS panel, based on a random sample of the Dutch population. Structural equation modeling showed that among recently affected adults (0–2 months ago), those with relatively higher levels of social recognition had lower levels of PTSD symptomatology 6 months later. Victims with high levels of PTSD symptomatology at baseline received less social recognition 6 months later. On the intermediate term (affected 5–12 months ago), baseline social recognition was no longer predictive of PTSD symptoms 6 months later, in contrast to PTSD symptomatology predicting lack of social recognition. In sum, PTSD symptom levels eroded social recognition on the short and intermediate term, while the protective role of social recognition was limited to the short term. Velden, G. van der, Oudejans, M., Das, M., Bosmans, M.W.G. The longitudinal effect of social recognition on PTSD symptomatology andvice versa: Evidence from a population-based study. Psychiatry Research: 2019, 279, p. 287-294 Postprint version : 1.0 Journal website : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178119305 906?via%3Dihub Pubmed link : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31262536 DOI : 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.05.044 This is a Nivel certified Post Print, more info at nivel.nl