Behavioral inhibition and PTSD symptoms in veterans

Catherine E. Myers, Kirsten M. VanMeenen, Richard J. Servatius

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

Behavioral inhibition (BI), a temperamental bias to respond to novel stimuli with avoidance behaviors, is a risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is unclear whether BI accounts for additional variance in PTSD symptom severity beyond that accounted for by general anxiety. Here, 109 veterans (mean age 50.4. years, 9.2% female) provided self-assessment of PTSD symptoms, state and trait anxiety, combat exposure, and current (adult) and retrospective (childhood) BI. Adult BI was correlated with anxiety and PTSD symptom severity, especially cluster C (avoidance) symptoms, but not with combat exposure. A regression model including adult BI, state and trait anxiety, and combat exposure was able to correctly classify over 80% of participants according to presence or absence of severe PTSD symptoms. Because avoidance behaviors are a core component of PTSD, self-assessments of BI may be an important tool in understanding PTSD and potentially assessing vulnerability to the disorder.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)271-276
Number of pages6
JournalPsychiatry Research
Volume196
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 30 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • Avoidance
  • Behavioral inhibition
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Veterans

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