Physiological Responsiveness of Motor Vehicle Accident Survivors with Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Authors: Veazey C.H.¹; Blanchard E.B.²; Hickling E.J.²; Buckley T.C.²

Source: Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, Volume 29, Number 1, March 2004 , pp. 51-62(12)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

This study sought to replicate past research that has shown differences in physiological responsiveness among survivors of motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and those survivors who do not develop this disorder. Such physiological differences have been found specifically with heart rate (HR) reactivity. This study also attempts to account for differences among those survivors with PTSD who do respond physiologically in laboratory situations and those who do not show a physiological response when presented with audiotaped descriptions of their accidents. Results replicated the significant differences in HR reactivity between diagnostic groups with chronic PTSD versus those with subsyndromal PTSD and non-PTSD. Variables related to the severity of the diagnosis and trauma were found to discriminate between physiological responders and nonresponders with chronic PTSD.

Keywords: stress disorders; posttraumatic; psychophysiology; accidents; traffic

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:APBI.0000017863.35714.a1

Affiliations: 1: Center for Stress and Anxiety Disorders, University at Albany, State University of New York, New York;, Email: connie.veazey@med.va.gov 2: Center for Stress and Anxiety Disorders, University at Albany, State University of New York, New York

Publication date: 2004-03-01