Neuroticism Increases PTSD Symptom Severity by Amplifying the Emotionality, Rehearsal, and Centrality of Trauma Memories.
Abstract
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.
Type
Journal articleSubject
HumansSeverity of Illness Index
Longitudinal Studies
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Aged
Middle Aged
Female
Male
Memory, Episodic
Psychological Trauma
Neuroticism
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/19028Published Version (Please cite this version)
10.1111/jopy.12278Publication Info
Ogle, Christin M; Siegler, Ilene C; Beckham, Jean C; & Rubin, David C (2017). Neuroticism Increases PTSD Symptom Severity by Amplifying the Emotionality, Rehearsal,
and Centrality of Trauma Memories. Journal of personality, 85(5). pp. 702-715. 10.1111/jopy.12278. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/19028.This is constructed from limited available data and may be imprecise. To cite this
article, please review & use the official citation provided by the journal.
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Show full item recordScholars@Duke
Jean Crowell Beckham
Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Interest in assessment and treatment of trauma, particularly as occurs for both women
and men during military service; focus in treatment outcome of differential and collective
contribution for psychopharmacological and behavioral interventions in PTSD populations;
long term physical health effects of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.
Christin Ogle
Affiliate
David C. Rubin
Juanita M. Kreps Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
For .pdfs of all publications click here My main research interest has been in
long-term memory, especially for complex (or "real-world") stimuli. This work includes
the study of autobiographical memory and oral tra
Ilene C. Siegler
Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
My research efforts are in the area of developmental health psychology and organized
around understanding the role of personality in health and disease in middle and later
life. My primary research activity is as Principal Investigator of the UNC Alumni
Heart Study (UNCAHS) a prospective epidemiologic study of 5000 middle aged men and
women and 1200 of their spouses that evaluates the role of personality on coronary
heart disease and coronary heart disease risk, cancer, and normal a
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