Temperamental Traits and Severity of PTSD Symptoms

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a longitudinal study of two groups of participants of motor vehicle accidents (MVA). They were investigated twice: The first time after 1–6 months (N = 362) or 12–24 months (N = 337) after a MVA, and then 1 year after the initial assessment. We assumed that, among the environmental variables (severity of experienced trauma, trauma-related prolonged stressors, other traumatic event and social support), two temperamental traits, emotional reactivity and briskness, would be factors influencing the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder. We also assumed that, after a longer distance from the MVA, temperament would be affected by symptoms of PTSD. Analysis of the cross-lagged effects confirmed the expectations regarding the “temperamental vulnerability” to PTSD in the shorter timespan after the MVA, indicating the process of “complication” and leading to changes in temperament under the influence of the disorder. Moreover, emotional reactivity was associated concurrently with higher levels of PTSD symptoms, especially in interaction with the severity of experienced trauma. Emotional reactivity and briskness also predicted changes in symptom severity, after controlling for the initial PTSD level and especially in interaction with trauma-related prolonged stressors. We propose implications of the results in our understanding “enduring personality change after catastrophic experience” as a diagnostic category in the ICD-10 and underline the significance of temperament as a factor influencing individual “vulnerability” to trauma.

Temperamental correlates of trauma symptoms in firemen, policemen and soldiers

“…The results of our earlier studies [22,23,25] suggested that tendency for strong emotional reactions fosters development of trauma symptoms. Therefore, we expected that emotional reactivity, as the trait associated with neuroticism is important for increasing trauma symptoms, not only in clinical groups (cancer patients or HIV+ people) but also in professional groups.…”

“…Both traits, ER and PE, were also positively correlated with somatic anxiety in students [24]. Emotional reactivity was also positively correlated, whereas BR was negatively correlated, with trauma symptoms in motor vehicle accident survivors [25]. Three other temperament traits i.e., BR, EN and AC are usually negatively correlated with the severity of trauma symptoms and likely act as resources that protect individuals against the risk of PTSD (the role of SS is unclear).…”

Temperamental predictors of subjective well‐being from early adolescence to mid‐life: The role of temporal and energetic regulation

“…The analyses of these studies suggest that high Briskness and Endurance may have positive effects on well-being. The beneficial role of Briskness was demonstrated in studies on stress (Fruehstorfer, Veronie, Cremeans-Smith, & Newberry, 2012;Zawadzki & Popiel, 2012) and the beneficial role of Endurance in studies on burnout (Cieslak, Korczynska, Strelau, & Kaczmarek, 2008).…”

Happy Temperament? Four Types of Stimulation Control Linked to Four Types of Subjective Well-Being

“…Briskness is associated with less long-term PTSD (Zawadzki and Popiel 2012) and burnout symptoms (Rzeszutek and Schier 2014), similarly to endurance (Cieslak et al 2008). Activity is connected to a more advantageous mood profile (Jankowski and Zajenkowski 2012;Wytykowska 2012).…”