Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2013 Jun;44(2):221-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2012.11.004. Epub 2012 Nov 28.
Intrusive memories of traumatic events constitute a core feature of post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the association of pre-traumatic factors with post-traumatic intrusive memories is still only poorly understood. The current study investigated the extent to which vividness of general mental imagery prior to an analogue stressor is positively associated with occurrence of intrusive images following such a stressor.
Sixty-seven participants were exposed to video material depicting the aftermath of serious road traffic accidents. Additionally, participants filled in questionnaires on mental imagery, affect, peri-traumatic processing style, and intrusive memories.
Vividness of mental imagery before the analogue stressor correlated positively with the amount, vividness, and emotional distress due to intrusive images shortly after the analogue stressor and on the subsequently five days. Importantly, mental imagery assessed pre-stressor was associated with intrusive memories independently of trait anxiety and depression as well as participants' emotional response to the video. Peri-traumatic data-driven processing was also related to intrusive memories but not to the vividness of pre-stressor mental imagery.
An analogue design was used. Results need to be replicated in a prospective design with survivors of traumatic events according to DSM-IV criteria.
The findings indicate that high levels of vividness of general mental imagery may contribute to the development of intrusive imaginal memories following exposure to traumatic events.
创伤事件的侵入性记忆是创伤后应激障碍的核心特征。然而，创伤前因素与创伤后侵入性记忆的关联仍知之甚少。本研究调查了在模拟应激源之前一般心理意象的生动程度与应激源后侵入性意象的发生之间存在正相关的程度。
67 名参与者观看了描述严重交通事故后果的视频材料。此外，参与者还填写了关于心理意象、情感、创伤前处理方式和侵入性记忆的问卷。
模拟应激源前的心理意象生动程度与模拟应激源后不久侵入性图像的数量、生动程度和情绪困扰呈正相关，在随后的五天也呈正相关。重要的是，在应激源前评估的心理意象与侵入性记忆有关，与特质焦虑和抑郁以及参与者对视频的情绪反应无关。创伤前数据驱动的处理也与侵入性记忆有关，但与应激源前心理意象的生动程度无关。
使用了模拟设计。结果需要在符合 DSM-IV 标准的创伤后幸存者的前瞻性设计中进行复制。
研究结果表明，一般心理意象的生动程度较高可能会导致创伤后暴露后侵入性意象记忆的发展。
