Tonic Immobility in Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors and Its Relationship to Posttraumatic Stress Symptomatology

Humphreys, Kathryn L.; Sauder, Colin L.; Martin, Elaine; Marx, Brian P.

doi:10.1177/0886260509334412

Cited by 41 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…31, nº 3 (octubre) with the findings of Bados et al (2008). Likewise, given the known association between TI and post-traumatic symptoms (Bovin et al, 2008;Humphreys et al, 2010;RochaRego et al, 2009) the importance of this type of event is congruent with the observation of current post-traumatic symptoms being greater when the earlier trauma involved physical violence in the family, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse (Frazier et al, 2009;Owens & Chard, 2006;Vrana & Lauterbach, 1994).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

“…In these cases, TI reduces the likelihood that the predator will continue to attack and thus increases the chances of escape and survival (Bracha, 2004;Moskowitz, 2004). TI has not been widely studied in humans, and although some authors argue that it may have an adaptive value in certain situations of physical or sexual aggression where fighting or escape is not possible (see Heidt et al, 2005), it has been found to be moderately correlated with post-traumatic symptoms (Abrams, Carleton, Taylor, & Asmundson, 2009;Abrams, Carleton, & Asmundson, 2012;Bovin, Jager-Hyman, Gold, Marx, & Sloan, 2008, Humphreys, Sauder, Martin, & Marx, 2010Heidt et al, 2005;Rocha-Rego et al, 2009) and to be a predictor for the emergence of intrusive memories (Hagenaars & Putman, 2011), the development of post-traumatic symptoms (Bovin et al, 2008;Humphreys et al, 2010;Rocha-Rego et al, 2009) and a poorer response to pharmacological treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Fiszman et al, 2008;Lima et al, 2010). Scaer (2014) has put forward one explanation for the association between a TI response, of which dissociation is a central element, and PTSD.…”

Section: *) Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…gender, age when the worst traumatic event was first experienced, age when exposed to the first traumatic event, and subjective perception of how traumatic the worst event was). To date, no study has investigated this issue, despite the fact that several of these variables have been associated with the presence of current post-traumatic symptoms (Amir & Sol, 1999;Bados, Greco, & Toribio, 2013;Bedard-Gilligan & Zoellner, 2008;Bernat, Ronfeldt, Calhoun, & Arias, 1998;Frazier et al, 2009;Green et al, 2000;Irish et al, 2008;Martín & de Paúl, 2004;Owens & Chard, 2006) and that these symptoms are likewise related to a person having previously reacted with TI during a traumatic event (Bovin et al, 2008;Humphreys et al, 2010;RochaRego et al, 2009).…”

Section: *) Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Predictores de la inmovilidad tónica ante eventos traumáticos

2015

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Título: Predictores de la inmovilidad tónica ante eventos traumáticos. Resumen: La inmovilidad tónica (IT) es una posible reacción ante el peligro que es facilitada por el miedo intenso, la restricción física y la incapacidad percibida de escapar. Otras variables que podrían influir, tales como el tipo de eventos traumáticos, características de los mismos y características personales han sido poco o nada estudiadas. El presente estudio evaluó la capacidad de estas variables para predecir la IT en una muestra de 273 universitarios que habían experimentado al menos un suceso traumático. El 7.7% y el 13.2% de participantes reaccionaron con IT según las dos definiciones más estrictas adoptadas. La mayoría de las variables estuvieron significativamente asociadas con la IT en análisis univariantes. Sin embargo, en un análisis de regresión múltiple, sólo ciertas características de los eventos (ocurrencia de maltrato físico/ abuso sexual, número de tipos diferentes de eventos experimentados) y determinadas reacciones ante los mismos (percepción de lo traumáticos que fueron, respuesta de miedo intenso) fueron predictores significativos de la IT. Puesto que estos predictores sólo explicaron el 25% de la varianza, debería investigarse la influencia de otras variables, tales como el neuroticismo, la afectividad negativa y la sensación de falta de control personal o de recursos para afrontar los eventos traumáti-cos. Palabras clave: inmovilidad tónica; eventos traumáticos; trauma; Escala de Inmovilidad Tónica; Cuestionario de Eventos Traumáticos.Abstract: Tonic immobility (TI) is a possible reaction to danger that is facilitated by intense fear, physical restraint and perceived inability to escape. Other variables that could affect TI, such as the type and characteristics of traumatic events and personal characteristics have been little or no studied. The present study evaluated the power of these variables to predict TI in a sample of 273 college students who had experienced at least one traumatic event. Of the sample, 7.7% and 13.2% responded with TI according to the two stricter definitions adopted. Most of the variables were significantly associated with TI in univariate analyses. However, in a multiple regression analysis, only certain features of the events (occurrence of physical/sexual abuse, number of different types of events experienced) and certain reactions to them (perception of how traumatic were the events, severe fear response) were significant predictors of TI. Since these predictors explained only 25% of the variance, the influence of other variables -such as neuroticism, negative affectivity and perceived lack of personal control or resources to cope with traumatic events-should be investigated.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Section: *) Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: *) Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Predictores de la inmovilidad tónica ante eventos traumáticos

2015

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“…Both theories are concerned with the individual, both have demonstrated roles in the development and maintenance of PTSD and SUD (Walsh, DiLillo, & Messman-Moore, 2012;Humphreys, Sauder, Martin, & Marx, 2010). Emotion regulation refers to the set of processes by which an individual controls or moderates their emotions to more appropriately suit the situation.…”

Section: Overview Of This Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, fight-flight-freeze sensitivity (FFFS), a facet of rRST, can predict the development of PTSD, and the severity of the symptomatology (Humphreys, Sauder, Martin, & Marx, 2010).…”

Section: Overview Of This Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Posttraumatic stress disorder in a therapeutic community for substance use disorders: an evaluation of the influence

Perryman¹

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The purpose of this body of research is twofold. First, to investigate posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of adults undergoing substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in a therapeutic community (TC) and, second, to apply major psychological theories to help understand the nature of this comorbidity in ways that inform treatment. The focal theories of this research are: emotion dysregulation (Gratz & Roemer, 2004), and revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (rRST; Corr, 2008;Gray & McNaughton, 2000). Rash Impulsiveness will be included as an important dimension of rRST that has been consistently linked to substance misuse. Chapter 1 presents an overview of research related to the thesis as a whole. In Chapter .72, p < .00). Furthermore, the correlations between PTSS and two of the facets of rRST, BAS and fight-flight-freeze sensitivity (FFFS), were significantly correlated (r = -.23 and .49, p < .01, respectively). BAS sensitivity was shown to negatively correlate with PTSS, indicating that lower BAS sensitivity related to higher PTS severity. No relationship was found between the Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) and PTSS. Finally, Rash Impulsivity significantly correlated with PTSS at intake, r = .50, p < .00. Contrary to hypotheses, and previous research, Rash Impulsivity did not significantly correlate with retention. Theoretical mechanisms linking PTSS and substance misuse were investigated further, with tests of theoretical models in which individual difference factors (facets of the rRST) were related to retention and outcomes from treatment, and facets of emotional dysregulation were tested as mediators of this relationship. Upon investigation through linear regression, no suitable variable was found the mediate the relationship between PTSS and retention.iii The final moderated mediated model, therefore, was not suitable for this population. Limited moderation, though, occurred between the two facets of rRST and retention. Specifically, investigation of the simple slopes showed that FFFS and Rash Impulsivity both moderate the relationship between PTSD and retention at high (+1 SD) and mean scores. These findings indicate that high levels of both facets do interact with PTSD to negatively influence treatment retention.The null findings for both mediation and the moderated mediation model contradict previous research, and may be due to homogeneity in scores across the population. Overall, some implications for treatment can be extrapolated. First, PTSD is highly prevalent in the TC population, and should be assessed using psychometrically valid measures, such as the PCL-C, and addressed in treatment. Second, treatment for SUD does not exacerbate PTSD; on the contrary, PTSS significantly decreased during TC treatment. Finally, as there is solid theoretical support to suggest an influence of emotion dysregulation and Rash Impulsiveness on retention and outcomes, more research needs to be conducted on the role of these two constructs with the intent of creating a better suited rehabi...

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