Acquired Equivalence in U.S. Veterans With Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress: Reexperiencing Symptoms Are Associated With Greater Generalization.
Saved in:
| Title: | Acquired Equivalence in U.S. Veterans With Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress: Reexperiencing Symptoms Are Associated With Greater Generalization. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Kostek, John A., Beck, Kevin D., Gilbertson, Mark W., Orr, Scott P., Pang, Kevin C. H., Servatius, Richard J., Myers, Catherine E. |
| Source: | Journal of Traumatic Stress. Dec2014, Vol. 27 Issue 6, p717-720. 4p. 1 Diagram, 1 Graph. |
| Subjects: | Diseases in veterans, Flashbacks (Memory), Illusion (Philosophy), Post-traumatic stress, Traumatic neuroses, Post-traumatic stress disorder |
| Abstract (English): | The severity and number of reexperiencing symptoms (e.g., flashbacks) show considerable variability across individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One interpretation of reexperiencing symptoms invokes generalization: Specifically, the traumatic memory may be stored in such a way that neutral stimuli that only vaguely resemble some feature of the traumatic event are sufficient to trigger the memory. If this is the case, then individuals with higher levels of reexperiencing symptoms might show greater generalization, even in contexts unrelated to trauma. In the current study, an acquired equivalence test was used to assess associative learning and generalization in 114 U.S. veterans who were also given a test of declarative memory. PTSD symptoms were rated by the veteran. After adjusting for demographic variables, psychoactive medication use, and initial learning, regression analyses showed that the number of PTSD reexperiencing symptoms significantly improved the model for generalization (β = −.23, R2 = .34) but not associative learning or declarative memory. The results support the idea that generalization is linked to reexperiencing symptoms, is not limited to learning about traumatic events, and can emerge even in a relatively innocuous computer-based learning task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Abstract (Spanish): | Resumen Equivalencia Adquirida en Veteranos La severidad y número de síntomas de re-experimentación (ej. flasbacks) muestra una variabilidad considerable entre los individuos con trastorno por estrés post-traumático (TEPT). Una interpretación de los síntomas de re-experimentación es que invoca generalización: específicamente, la memoria traumática puede ser almacenada de tal manera que estímulos neutrales que sólo vagamente se asemejan en algunos aspectos al evento traumático son suficientes para desencadenar el recuerdo traumático. Si éste es el caso, entonces los individuos con niveles más altos de síntomas de re-experimentación pueden mostrar mayor generalización, incluso en contextos no relacionados al trauma. En este estudio, se usó un test de equivalencia adquirida (EA) para evaluar el aprendizaje asociativo y la generalización en 114 veteranos norteamericanos, a quienes también se les aplicó un test de memoria declarativa. Los síntomas de TEPT fueron ranqueados por cada veterano. Después de ajustar las variables demográficas, uso de medicamentos psicoactivos y aprendizaje inicial, el análisis de regresión mostró que el número de síntomas de re-experimentación de TEPT mejoró significativamente el modelo por generalización (B = -.23, R2 = .34) pero no el aprendizaje asociativo o la memoria declarativa. Estos resultados apoyan la idea que la generalización está ligada a los síntomas de re-experimentación, no está limitada al aprendizaje sobre eventos traumáticos e incluso puede emerger en una tarea inocua de aprendizaje basado en un computador. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Abstract (Chinese): | Traditional and Simplified Chinese Abstracts by AsianSTSS 標題: 具創傷後壓力症狀的美國退役軍人中的習得對等性：再體驗症狀與更大的泛化相關 撮要: 創傷後壓力症(PTSD)患者顯示的再體驗症狀（如倒敘），嚴重程度和數量都有相當的差異。有一種對再體驗症狀的詮釋會產生泛化效果： 創傷記憶的儲存方法，可能是一個含糊地與創傷經歷某些特點相似的中性刺激便足以引發記憶。如果按照這說法，再體驗症狀越嚴重的患者應會顯示更嚴重的泛化，包括在與創傷無關的情況下。本研究採用了習得對等性測驗，評估114名美國退役軍人的聯想學習和泛化情況，他們亦接受了陳述性記憶測試。退役軍人自己為PTSD症狀評分。迴歸分析對人口統計變量、使用的精神藥物和初期學習作調節後， 顯示PTSD再體驗症狀的數量顯著地改善了泛化的模型(β = -.23, R2 = .34)，但對聯想學習和陳述性記憶則無改善。研究結果支持，泛化與再體驗症狀有關，不只限於了解創傷經歷，即使在相對地無害、以電腦為本的學習作業中亦可發生。 标题: 具创伤后压力症状的美国退役军人中的习得对等性：再体验症状与更大的泛化相关 撮要: 创伤后压力症(PTSD)患者显示的再体验症状（如倒叙），严重程度和数量都有相当的差异。有一种对再体验症状的诠释会产生泛化效果： 创伤记忆的储存方法，可能是一个含糊地与创伤经历某些特点相似的中性刺激便足以引发记忆。如果按照这说法，再体验症状越严重的患者应会显示更严重的泛化，包括在与创伤无关的情况下。本研究采用了习得对等性测验，评估114名美国退役军人的联想学习和泛化情况，他们亦接受了陈述性记忆测试。退役军人自己为PTSD症状评分。回归分析对人口统计变量、使用的精神药物和初期学习作调节后， 显示PTSD再体验症状的数量显著地改善了泛化的模型(β = -.23, R2 = .34)，但对联想学习和陈述性记忆则无改善。研究结果支持，泛化与再体验症状有关，不只限于了解创伤经历，即使在相对地无害、以计算机为本的学习作业中亦可发生。 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Traumatic Stress is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | The severity and number of reexperiencing symptoms (e.g., flashbacks) show considerable variability across individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One interpretation of reexperiencing symptoms invokes generalization: Specifically, the traumatic memory may be stored in such a way that neutral stimuli that only vaguely resemble some feature of the traumatic event are sufficient to trigger the memory. If this is the case, then individuals with higher levels of reexperiencing symptoms might show greater generalization, even in contexts unrelated to trauma. In the current study, an acquired equivalence test was used to assess associative learning and generalization in 114 U.S. veterans who were also given a test of declarative memory. PTSD symptoms were rated by the veteran. After adjusting for demographic variables, psychoactive medication use, and initial learning, regression analyses showed that the number of PTSD reexperiencing symptoms significantly improved the model for generalization (β = −.23, R2 = .34) but not associative learning or declarative memory. The results support the idea that generalization is linked to reexperiencing symptoms, is not limited to learning about traumatic events, and can emerge even in a relatively innocuous computer-based learning task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 08949867 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/jts.21974 |
