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Abstract
Objective: High anxiety sensitivity (AS) and poor attention control (AC) are established risk factors for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), but little is known about the combined influence of these variables. Consistent with dual-systems models suggesting facets of executive function (e.g., AC) will modulate the effects of other risk factors (e.g., AS), the current study evaluated the singular and interactive effects of these variables on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Method: In Study 1, latent variable modeling was used to examine the unique and interactive effects of AS and AC on PTSS, controlling for trauma history, sex, and age, in a sample of trauma-exposed community adults (N = 670). In Study 2, latent variable modeling was used to replicate these effects in a sample of trauma-exposed treatment-seeking adults (N = 207). Results: Findings from both studies demonstrated a significant and negative interaction between AS and AC predicting PTSS when controlling for trauma history, sex, and age. Moreover, results revealed that AS more strongly predicts PTSS among those with poor AC. Conclusions: These findings suggest that impaired AC, one facet of executive function, may potentiate the effects of AS on PTSS, and increasing levels of AS may enhance the effects of AC on PTSS. Results are discussed within the context of a dual-systems model of PTSS.
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Notes on contributors
Brian J. Albanese
Brian J. Albanese, MS, and Richard J. Macatee, MS, are affiliated with the Department of Psychology at Florida State University in Tallahassee.
Richard J. Macatee
Brian J. Albanese, MS, and Richard J. Macatee, MS, are affiliated with the Department of Psychology at Florida State University in Tallahassee.
Nicholas P. Allan
Nicholas P. Allan, PhD, is affiliated with the Department of Psychology at Ohio University in Athens.
Nicole A. Short
Nicole A. Short, MS, Aaron M. Norr, PhD, and Norman B. Schmidt, PhD, are affiliated with the Department of Psychology at Florida State University in Tallahassee.
Aaron M. Norr
Nicole A. Short, MS, Aaron M. Norr, PhD, and Norman B. Schmidt, PhD, are affiliated with the Department of Psychology at Florida State University in Tallahassee.
Norman B. Schmidt
Nicole A. Short, MS, Aaron M. Norr, PhD, and Norman B. Schmidt, PhD, are affiliated with the Department of Psychology at Florida State University in Tallahassee.