Emotional Deficits in Military-Related PTSD: An Investigation of Content and Process Disturbances

Authors: Monson C.M.¹; Price J.L.²; Rodriguez B.F.³; Ripley M.P.²; Warner R.A.⁴

Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress, Volume 17, Number 3, June 2004 , pp. 275-279(5)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

To expound on the nature of emotional deficits in PTSD, the current study investigated the relationships among emotion content and process variables and PTSD symptomatology in a sample of 85 veterans with military-related trauma. Alexithymic externally oriented thinking and negative affectivity emerged as the most consistent predictors of PTSD symptoms; however, depression was the only variable associated with emotional numbing. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed, as well as future research directions including the collateral and clinician assessment of emotional functioning, use of other process measures, and inclusion of various control groups.

Keywords: emotion; PTSD; affect; alexithymia; emotional numbing; experiential avoidance

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:JOTS.0000029271.58494.05

Affiliations: 1: VA National Center for PTSD, Executive Division, White River Junction, Vermont. Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire;, Email: candice.monson@dartmouth.edu 2: VA National Center for PTSD, Executive Division, White River Junction, Vermont. Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire 3: Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 4: Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire

Publication date: 2004-06-01