Psychophysiological Arousal, Disengagement Coping, and PTSD Symptoms: A Moderating Relationship?

Learning and Consolidation of Verbal Declarative Memory in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Zeitschrift für Psychologie / Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1027/0044-3409/a000020 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 218 (2) ◽

pp. 135-140 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Slawomira J. Diener ◽

Herta Flor ◽

Michèle Wessa

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Declarative Memory ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Learning Performance ◽

Ptsd Symptoms

Impairments in declarative memory have been reported in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fragmentation of explicit trauma-related memory has been assumed to impede the formation of a coherent memorization of the traumatic event and the integration into autobiographic memory. Together with a strong non-declarative memory that connects trauma reminders with a fear response the impairment in declarative memory is thought to be involved in the maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Fourteen PTSD patients, 14 traumatized subjects without PTSD, and 13 non-traumatized healthy controls (HC) were tested with the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) to assess verbal declarative memory. PTSD symptoms were assessed with the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale and depression with the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Several indices of the CVLT pointed to an impairment in declarative memory performance in PTSD, but not in traumatized persons without PTSD or HC. No group differences were observed if recall of memory after a time delay was set in relation to initial learning performance. In the PTSD group verbal memory performance correlated significantly with hyperarousal symptoms, after concentration difficulties were accounted for. The present study confirmed previous reports of declarative verbal memory deficits in PTSD. Extending previous results, we propose that learning rather than memory consolidation is impaired in PTSD patients. Furthermore, arousal symptoms may interfere with successful memory formation in PTSD.

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Social Support, Emotional Intelligence, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000185 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 31-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nicole L. Hofman ◽

Austin M. Hahn ◽

Christine K. Tirabassi ◽

Raluca M. Gaher

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Emotional Intelligence ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Events ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. Exposure to traumatic events and the associated risk of developing Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms is a significant and overlooked concern in the college population. It is important for current research to identify potential protective factors associated with the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms unique to this population. Emotional intelligence and perceived social support are two identified protective factors that influence the association between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD symptomology. The current study examined the mediating role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. Participants included 443 trauma-exposed university students who completed online questionnaires. The results of this study indicated that social support mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and reported PTSD symptoms. Thus, emotional intelligence is significantly associated with PTSD symptoms and social support may play an integral role in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD. The current study is the first to investigate the role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. These findings have important treatment and prevention implications with regard to PTSD.

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