Which of the following is an example of an incident variable affecting trauma?

• A. Proximity to the incident.
• B. Personal history of inmates
• C. Coping abilities
• D. Degree of stress management

Answer: (A)

Proximity to the incident is an incident variable because it describes how directly a person was exposed to the traumatic event. Being closer means more intense sensory input, immediate threat cues, and a higher chance of witnessing injuries or danger, which elevates the risk of a trauma reaction. Incident variables are aspects of the event itself that shape the initial impact—distance from the center of the incident, how long exposure lasts, and how immediate the threat feels all drive how someone is affected at the moment.

The other options reflect personal factors rather than the event’s properties. Personal history of inmates points to a person’s previous experiences that can influence vulnerability, while coping abilities and degree of stress management describe how someone handles stress, not the characteristics of the incident itself. These personal factors influence outcome after the fact, but they aren’t about the incident’s immediate, situational exposure.