Physiological predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder.
Studies have assessed relationships between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and physiological reactivity concurrently; fewer have assessed these relationships longitudinally. This study tests concurrent and prospective relationships between physiological reactivity (heart rate and skin conductance) to a monologue procedure and PTSD symptoms in female assault survivors, tested within 1 and 3 months posttrauma. After controlling for initial PTSD and peritraumatic dissociation, 3 measures of increased physiological reactivity to the trauma monologue at 1 month predicted 3-month PTSD reexperiencing severity. Additionally, increased heart rate following trauma and neutral monologues at 1 month was predictive of 3-month numbing symptoms. Implications for the prospective relationship between physiological reactivity to trauma cues and PTSD over time are discussed.
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Related Subject Headings
- Young Adult
- Survivors
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
- Sex Offenses
- Severity of Illness Index
- Psychiatry
- Interview, Psychological
- Humans
- Forecasting
- Female
Citation
Published In
DOI
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Young Adult
- Survivors
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
- Sex Offenses
- Severity of Illness Index
- Psychiatry
- Interview, Psychological
- Humans
- Forecasting
- Female