Affective Dispositions and PTSD Symptom Clusters in Female Interpersonal Trauma Survivors

Abstract

Interpersonal trauma (IPT) against women can have dire psychological consequences including persistent maladaptive changes in the subjective experience of affect. Contemporary literature has firmly established heightened negative affect (NA) as a risk and maintenance factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the relationship between NA and PTSD symptoms is not well understood within IPT survivors, the majority of whom are female, as much of this research has focused on combat veterans. In addition, the connection between positive affect (PA) and PTSD symptoms has yet to be examined. With increased emphasis on "negative alterations in cognitions and mood . . ." as an independent symptom cluster of PTSD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5), understanding the relationship between self-reported affectivity and the classic PTSD symptom clusters may be increasingly useful in differentiating symptom presentations of trauma-related psychopathology. The current study directly compared self-reported trait NA and PA with total severity and frequency cluster scores from the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) in 54 female survivors of IPT who met criteria for PTSD. Results identify NA (but not PA) as a consistent predictor of total PTSD symptoms and, specifically, re-experiencing symptoms.

Relationship between Traumatic Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Flood Victims: Roles of Fear and Self-Disclosure

“…Some studies have also found that traumatic fear can lead to higher levels of PTSD (e.g. Brown et al, 2016;Kleim et al, 2013;Najavits et al, 2006;VanElzakker et al, 2014;Wang, Wu, & Lan, 2020;Zalta et al, 2014). Therefore, traumatic exposure may have an indirect effect on PTSD via fear.…”

Dynamic Network Analysis of Negative Emotions and DSM‐5 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Clusters During Conflict

“…The association between general negative affect and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been well established (Brown et al, 2016;Marshall-Berenz, Morrison, Schumacher, & Coffey, 2011;Souza et al, 2008). Moreover, although PTSD was originally conceptualized principally as a disorder of fear (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1980;Foa & Kozak, 1986), there has been increasing recognition that negative emotions beyond fear are also strongly associated with PTSD This work was supported by the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (Narsad Young Investigator Award to TG; 23524), The Moshe Hess Foundation (TG and MG), NATAL: Israel Trauma and Resiliency Center (MG and LLP), the Israel Science Foundation (TG and MG;1244/16), and the European Research Council Consolidator Grant (EF and DR;647209).…”

“…The association between general negative affect and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been well established (Brown et al., ; Marshall‐Berenz, Morrison, Schumacher, & Coffey, ; Souza et al., ). Moreover, although PTSD was originally conceptualized principally as a disorder of fear (American Psychiatric Association [APA], ; Foa & Kozak, ), there has been increasing recognition that negative emotions beyond fear are also strongly associated with PTSD (Dalgleish & Power, ; Hathaway, Boals, & Banks, ; Lancaster, Melka, & Rodriguez, ; Ozer, Best, Lipsey, & Weiss, ; Resick & Miller, ).…”

The Role of Impulsivity in the Association Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity and Substance Use in Male Military Veterans

“…For instance, Kashdan, Elhai, and Frueh (2006) found anhedonia to have a unique association with PTSD emotional numbing symptoms, and Brown et al. (2016) found that negative affect predicts reexperiencing and avoidance symptoms but not hyperarousal symptoms. It also appears there are distinct features of hyperarousal symptoms that negate the role of impulsivity in comparison to reexperiencing and avoidance/numbing symptoms.…”