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Neuroticism Increases PTSD Symptom Severity by Amplifying the Emotionality, Rehearsal, and Centrality of Trauma Memories.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Ogle, CM; Siegler, IC; Beckham, JC; Rubin, DC
Published in: J Pers
October 2017

OBJECTIVE: Although it is well established that neuroticism increases the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), little is known about the mechanisms that promote PTSD in individuals with elevated levels of neuroticism. Across two studies, we examined the cognitive-affective processes through which neuroticism leads to greater PTSD symptom severity. METHOD: Community-dwelling adults with trauma histories varying widely in severity (Study 1) and clinically diagnosed individuals exposed to DSM-IV-TR A1 criterion traumas (Study 2) completed measures of neuroticism, negative affectivity, trauma memory characteristics, and PTSD symptom severity. RESULTS: Longitudinal data in Study 1 showed that individuals with higher scores on two measures of neuroticism assessed approximately three decades apart in young adulthood and midlife reported trauma memories accompanied by more intense physiological reactions, more frequent involuntary rehearsal, and greater perceived centrality to identity in older adulthood. These properties of trauma memories were in turn associated with more severe PTSD symptoms. Study 2 replicated these findings using cross-sectional data from individuals with severe trauma histories and three additional measures of neuroticism. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that neuroticism leads to PTSD symptoms by magnifying the emotionality, availability, and centrality of trauma memories as proposed in mnemonic models of PTSD.

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Published In

J Pers

DOI

EISSN

1467-6494

Publication Date

October 2017

Volume

85

Issue

5

Start / End Page

702 / 715

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Social Psychology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Psychological Trauma
  • Neuroticism
  • Middle Aged
  • Memory, Episodic
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Humans
 

Citation

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Ogle, C. M., Siegler, I. C., Beckham, J. C., & Rubin, D. C. (2017). Neuroticism Increases PTSD Symptom Severity by Amplifying the Emotionality, Rehearsal, and Centrality of Trauma Memories. J Pers, 85(5), 702–715. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12278
Ogle, Christin M., Ilene C. Siegler, Jean C. Beckham, and David C. Rubin. “Neuroticism Increases PTSD Symptom Severity by Amplifying the Emotionality, Rehearsal, and Centrality of Trauma Memories.J Pers 85, no. 5 (October 2017): 702–15. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.12278.
Ogle, Christin M., et al. “Neuroticism Increases PTSD Symptom Severity by Amplifying the Emotionality, Rehearsal, and Centrality of Trauma Memories.J Pers, vol. 85, no. 5, Oct. 2017, pp. 702–15. Pubmed, doi:10.1111/jopy.12278.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Pers

DOI

EISSN

1467-6494

Publication Date

October 2017

Volume

85

Issue

5

Start / End Page

702 / 715

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Social Psychology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Psychological Trauma
  • Neuroticism
  • Middle Aged
  • Memory, Episodic
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Humans