Perceptual processing during trauma, priming and the development of intrusive memories

TY - JOUR

T1 - Perceptual processing during trauma, priming and the development of intrusive memories

AU - Sündermann, Oliver

AU - Hauschildt, Marit

AU - Ehlers, Anke

N1 - Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PY - 2013/6/1

Y1 - 2013/6/1

N2 - BACKGROUND: Intrusive reexperiencing in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly triggered by stimuli with perceptual similarity to those present during the trauma. Information processing theories suggest that perceptual processing during the trauma and enhanced perceptual priming contribute to the easy triggering of intrusive memories by these cues.METHODS: Healthy volunteers (N = 51) watched neutral and trauma picture stories on a computer screen. Neutral objects that were unrelated to the content of the stories briefly appeared in the interval between the pictures. Dissociation and data-driven processing (as indicators of perceptual processing) and state anxiety during the stories were assessed with self-report questionnaires. After filler tasks, participants completed a blurred object identification task to assess priming and a recognition memory task. Intrusive memories were assessed with telephone interviews 2 weeks and 3 months later.RESULTS: Neutral objects were more strongly primed if they occurred in the context of trauma stories than if they occurred during neutral stories, although the effect size was only moderate [Formula: see text] and only significant when trauma stories were presented first. Regardless of story order, enhanced perceptual priming predicted intrusive memories at 2-week follow-up (N = 51), but not at 3 months (n = 40). Data-driven processing, dissociation and anxiety increases during the trauma stories also predicted intrusive memories. Enhanced perceptual priming and data-driven processing were associated with lower verbal intelligence.LIMITATIONS: It is unclear to what extent these findings generalize to real-life traumatic events and whether they are specific to negative emotional events.CONCLUSIONS: The results provide some support for the role of perceptual processing and perceptual priming in reexperiencing symptoms.

AB - BACKGROUND: Intrusive reexperiencing in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly triggered by stimuli with perceptual similarity to those present during the trauma. Information processing theories suggest that perceptual processing during the trauma and enhanced perceptual priming contribute to the easy triggering of intrusive memories by these cues.METHODS: Healthy volunteers (N = 51) watched neutral and trauma picture stories on a computer screen. Neutral objects that were unrelated to the content of the stories briefly appeared in the interval between the pictures. Dissociation and data-driven processing (as indicators of perceptual processing) and state anxiety during the stories were assessed with self-report questionnaires. After filler tasks, participants completed a blurred object identification task to assess priming and a recognition memory task. Intrusive memories were assessed with telephone interviews 2 weeks and 3 months later.RESULTS: Neutral objects were more strongly primed if they occurred in the context of trauma stories than if they occurred during neutral stories, although the effect size was only moderate [Formula: see text] and only significant when trauma stories were presented first. Regardless of story order, enhanced perceptual priming predicted intrusive memories at 2-week follow-up (N = 51), but not at 3 months (n = 40). Data-driven processing, dissociation and anxiety increases during the trauma stories also predicted intrusive memories. Enhanced perceptual priming and data-driven processing were associated with lower verbal intelligence.LIMITATIONS: It is unclear to what extent these findings generalize to real-life traumatic events and whether they are specific to negative emotional events.CONCLUSIONS: The results provide some support for the role of perceptual processing and perceptual priming in reexperiencing symptoms.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Anxiety

KW - Cues

KW - Dissociative Disorders

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Male

KW - Mental Recall

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Photic Stimulation

KW - Psychomotor Performance

KW - Questionnaires

KW - Recognition (Psychology)

KW - Repetition Priming

KW - Self Report

KW - Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

KW - Visual Perception

U2 - 10.1016/j.jbtep.2012.10.001

DO - 10.1016/j.jbtep.2012.10.001

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 23207970

VL - 44

SP - 213

EP - 220

JO - J BEHAV THER EXP PSY

JF - J BEHAV THER EXP PSY

SN - 0005-7916

IS - 2

ER -