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

dc.contributor.author

Ogle, Christin M

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Siegler, Ilene C

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Beckham, Jean C

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Rubin, David C

dc.date.accessioned

2019-06-22T21:49:45Z

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2019-06-22T21:49:45Z

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2017-10

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2019-06-22T21:49:45Z

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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.

dc.identifier.issn

0022-3506

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1467-6494

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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/19028

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eng

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Wiley

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Journal of personality

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10.1111/jopy.12278

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Humans

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Severity of Illness Index

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Longitudinal Studies

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Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

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Aged

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Middle Aged

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Female

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Male

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Memory, Episodic

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Psychological Trauma

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Neuroticism

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

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Journal article

duke.contributor.orcid

Beckham, Jean C|0000-0001-8746-8949

pubs.begin-page

702

pubs.end-page

715

pubs.issue

5

pubs.organisational-group

School of Medicine

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Duke

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Duke Cancer Institute

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Institutes and Centers

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Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine

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Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

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Clinical Science Departments

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Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

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Psychology and Neuroscience

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Duke Institute for Brain Sciences

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University Institutes and Centers

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Institutes and Provost's Academic Units

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Staff

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Published

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85

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