Unpacking the relationship between posttraumatic numbing and hyperarousal in a sample of help-seeking motor vehicle accident survivors: replication and extension

J Trauma Stress. 2008 Apr;21(2):235-8. doi: 10.1002/jts.20308.

Abstract

The current study is a replication and extension of previous research that has found support for a relationship between posttraumatic numbing and hyperarousal. This study examined this association while controlling for depression in 345 motor vehicle accident survivors. Additionally, the relationships among specific hyperarousal symptoms and numbing were explored. Results provided further evidence for an association between hyperarousal and numbing, even while controlling for the influence of depression, and revealed that all hyperarousal symptoms (except hypervigilance) contribute to this association.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / psychology*
  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data
  • Adult
  • Affective Symptoms / diagnosis*
  • Affective Symptoms / psychology
  • Arousal* / physiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
  • Regression Analysis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Survivors / psychology*
  • Survivors / statistics & numerical data
  • Time Factors