Research reveals student traumas

Two in every five of students have experienced a distressing event. Researchers at University College Northampton found that 48 per cent of male students and 35 per cent of female students had experienced a traumatic event. Of these, 17 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively, had developed post-traumatic stress disorder.

More male students experienced a traumatic event than female students, but female students were more affected by it. "Males find themselves in violent situations more often than women," said David Purves, author of the report. "The predominant trauma for women is sexual crime." Dr Purves believes the figures for students are likely to reflect the population as a whole.