PTSD symptom clusters : the relationship with types of traumas and cognitive ability

Experiencing a major trauma can lead to psychological symptoms known as PTSD. Even though the prevalence of experiencing traumatic events is considered as high as70%, subsequently developing PTSD has been found to be lower than 10%. To understand this relationship studies have focused on various factors that contribute to the development of PTSD like brain structure, IQ and types of traumas. Mixed results have been found regarding these factors which inquires more research on the topic. The current study was in two parts, study 1 and study 2 where the main focus of both studies was to explore PTSD symptom clusters, in relation with either types of traumas or cognitive ability. In study 1 the sample consisted of 73 participants and the main focus was on analyzing how types of traumas were connected with certain types of PTSD symptoms. The main results reveled that Victimization traumas had the strongest connection with all PTSD symptoms except one, where Accident and injury traumas had the strongest relationship with the PTSD symptom Re-Experiencing. In study 2, the sample consisted of 49 participants and the main aim was to explore the association of PTSD symptom clusters with cognitive ability (Memory, Executive function and Working memory). The findings were that PTSD symptoms had most connection with Memory and Working memory, and also that the connection was stronger with cognitive tasks of higher intensity. Finally the theme that the PTSD symptoms Active avoidance and Negative alteration in cognition and mood would have positive association on cognitive ability emerged in Memory and Working memory. These findings support the necessity to explore types of traumas as well as PTSD symptom clusters severity when treating PTSD as well as in coherence of the individual’s cognitive ability. Key words: PTSD, PTSD symptom clusters, Trauma types, Cognitive ability, Memory, Working memor