We investigated laboratory and experimental variables as predictors of the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Evoked heart rate response to trauma-related pictures, attentional bias in the dot-probe task, and viewing time were assessed in 35 victims of a traumatic event and again after 3 months. Data was compared to 26 control participants. At first assessment trauma victims showed heart rate (HR) acceleration and controls showed HR deceleration to trauma-related material. The group of trauma victims improved clinically over time. Predictors of the number of PTSD symptoms after 3 months were re-experiencing (33% of the variance) and amplitude of the evoked HR reaction to trauma-related pictures (15%). The two variables were highly correlated. Trauma victims were also more anxious, viewed trauma-related pictures for a longer time, and had a longer reaction time in the dot-probe task (but no distinct attentional bias) than control participants. Results indicate that specific fear responses and re-experiencing contribute to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder.
(c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.