Protective factors against and risk factors for psychological distress and PTSD in persons with physical disabilities in Cambodia

The risk of experiencing psychological distress and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is high if a person has a physical disability. This study aimed to determine the rates of psychological distress and PTSD among prosthetic and orthotic (P&O) service users, and identify potential protective factors against and risk factors for these outcomes. Data were collected from March 2023 to June 2024 from P&O service users (n = 465) across Cambodia. Using a culturally appropriate psychological model and structural equation modelling, this cross-sectional study examined several potential protective and risk factors for psychological distress and PTSD symptoms in P&O service users. Our results highlight the high rates of psychological distress and PTSD among P&O service users, and suggest that acceptance, nonattachment, and attention regulation skills may help predict psychological distress and PTSD symptoms—both directly and indirectly—by reducing negative thinking. The integration of psychological interventions is required within P&O services in Cambodia to address the high rates and severity of psychological distress and PTSD symptoms experienced by P&O service users. Interventions designed to reduce psychological distress and PTSD symptoms might be more effective if they focus on supporting patients in developing acceptance, nonattachment, and attention regulation skills.