Peritraumatic dissociation and posttraumatic stress symptoms: the moderating role of perceived threat

ABSTRACT

Background: Although peritraumatic dissociation (PD) is viewed as a risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), prospective studies taking into account other well-known risk factors for PTSD have been scarce, and the exploration of potential moderators within the relations between PD and PTSD has been lacking.

Objective: Filling this gap, this prospective study explored the moderating role of perceived threat within the relations between PD and PTSD, above and beyond age, gender, education, and early trauma-related symptoms.

Method: A convenience sample of 200 Israeli civilians filled out self-report questionnaires during the peritraumatic phase (T1) and one to two months after the posttraumatic phase (T2) of being exposed to rocket attacks.

Results: The results showed that perceived threat and PD were associated with early trauma-related symptoms and PTSD symptoms. Moreover, perceived threat moderated the relationship between PD and all PTSD symptom clusters apart from avoidance.

Conclusions: The present results suggest that the implications of PD are shaped by levels of perceived threat, so that detriments of PD are evident when the trauma is appraised as being highly threatening. Therefore, early interventions that aim to decrease PD may be beneficial in preventing PTSD symptoms of intrusion, hyper arousal, and negative alterations in mood and cognition, for individuals who perceive traumatic events as highly threatening.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Perceived threat was related to early trauma-related symptoms and PTSD symptoms.

• Peritraumatic dissociation was related to early trauma-related symptoms and PTSD symptoms.

• Perceived threat moderated the link between peritraumatic dissociation and PTSD symptoms.

Antecedentes: Aunque la disociación peritraumática (DP) es considerada como un factor de riesgo para el trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT), los estudios prospectivos que toman en cuenta otros factores de riesgo bien conocidos para el TEPT han sido escasos y ha faltado la exploración de moderadores potenciales dentro de las relaciones entre la DP y el TEPT.

Objetivo: Para llenar este vacío, este estudio prospectivo exploró el papel moderador de la amenaza percibida dentro de las relaciones entre la DP y el TEPT, más allá de la edad, género, educación y síntomas tempranos relacionados con trauma.

Método: Una muestra por conveniencia de 200 civiles israelíes contestaron cuestionarios de auto-reporte durante la fase peritraumática (T1) y uno a dos meses después de la fase postraumática (T2) de exposición a los ataques con cohetes.

Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que la amenaza percibida y la DP estuvieron relacionadas con síntomas tempranos relacionados con el trauma y síntomas de TEPT. Además, la amenaza percibida moderaba la relación entre la DP y todos los grupos de síntomas del TEPT a excepción de la evitación.

Conclusiones: Los resultados actuales sugieren que las implicaciones de la DP están determinadas por los niveles de amenaza percibida, de modo que los perjuicios de la DP son evidentes cuando el trauma se evalúa como altamente amenazante. Por lo tanto, las intervenciones precoces que buscan disminuir la DP pueden ser beneficiosas para prevenir los síntomas intrusivos, la hiperalerta y las alteraciones negativas en el ánimo y la cognición del TEPT, para las personas que perciben eventos traumáticos como altamente amenazantes.

KEYWORDS:

• Perceived threat
• peritraumatic dissociation
• PTSD
• war
• trauma

PALABRAS CLAVE:

• Amenaza percibida
• disociación peritraumática
• TEPT
• guerra
• trauma

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Due to the nature of this research, participants of this study did not agree for their data to be shared publicly, so supporting data is not available.

Additional information

Funding

Inge Lehmanns Legat af 1983 supported the first author with a travel grant, which has allowed for this collaboration.