An adaptational view of trauma response as illustrated by the prisoner of war experience
✍ Scribed by Raina E. Eberly; Brian E. Engdahl; Allan R. Harkness
- Publisher
- Springer
- Year
- 1991
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 921 KB
- Volume
- 4
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0894-9867
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
We propose a model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms in which they have positive evolutionary adaptational value in traumatic environments. The persistence of PTSD symptom following return to more benign environments may result from biological changes within the organism, reflected by a primary rrsponse of increased leveh of underlying traits such as Negative Affectivity. Secondary symptoms such as social withdrawal and substance abuse are conceptualized as subsequent coping with the primary trauma response. This model was tested wing data on 413 former World War 11 fioners of War (POWs). The results were consistent with the model, indicating an enduring high level of Negative Affectivity as measured by scales on the MMPI. Captivity severity scores, developed using a factor analysk of POW experience variables, were related to lifetime and current diagnoses of PTSD, generalized anriety disorakc and major or minor depression. They were not related to schizophrenia, alcohol abuseldependence, bipolar I and 11 &orders, or organic mental disorders. Elevated Negative Affectivity indicators were proportional to the captivity severity scores.