Many people experience traumatic events (such as the death of a loved one, witnessing violence, or physical assault) but only a small amount develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A decade long study of 1,000 random residents in southeastern Michigan found those who scored higher on a neuroticism scale (chronic anxiety, depression, and/or a tendency to overreact to everyday challenges and disappointments) were more likely to suffer from PTSD following a traumatic event.
Psychological Medicine, November 2012