Abstract
Despite the large body of research on the risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), few studies have examined
specific personality factors that may be associated with risk for PTSD or the potential mechanisms that may underlie the association
between personality and PTSD. Thus, this study sought to examine the relation between the behavioral inhibition system (BIS),
a motivational brain-based system associated with the experience of anxiety, and probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
status. Further, we examined the mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relation between BIS sensitivity and PTSD.
Participants included 291 undergraduates who indicated they had experienced a potentially traumatic event at some point in
their life. As expected, significant associations were found between BIS sensitivity, experiential avoidance, and probable
PTSD status. Results indicated that BIS scores significantly predicted probable PTSD status above and beyond other relevant
covariates, including anxiety symptom severity. Further, this association was found to be fully mediated by experiential avoidance.
specific personality factors that may be associated with risk for PTSD or the potential mechanisms that may underlie the association
between personality and PTSD. Thus, this study sought to examine the relation between the behavioral inhibition system (BIS),
a motivational brain-based system associated with the experience of anxiety, and probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
status. Further, we examined the mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relation between BIS sensitivity and PTSD.
Participants included 291 undergraduates who indicated they had experienced a potentially traumatic event at some point in
their life. As expected, significant associations were found between BIS sensitivity, experiential avoidance, and probable
PTSD status. Results indicated that BIS scores significantly predicted probable PTSD status above and beyond other relevant
covariates, including anxiety symptom severity. Further, this association was found to be fully mediated by experiential avoidance.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-011-9362-2
- Authors
- Danielle J. Maack, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- Matthew T. Tull, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- Kim L. Gratz, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916