Attentional dysfunction associated with posttraumatic stress disorder among rape survivors

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by subjective reports of decreased concentration and an inability to sustain attention. Some empirical validation of these symptoms has been demonstrated via reduced performance on attentional tests among war veterans with PTSD. However, the significance of such findings is unclear given high co-morbidity with other psychiatric, neurologic, and substance abuse disorders among veterans. The present study examined neuropsychological functioning among rape survivors with PTSD, a patient population with comparatively low rates of psychiatric co-morbidity. Rape survivors with PTSD (PTSD+; n = 15) were compared to rape survivors without PTSD (PTSD-; n = 16) and age- and education-matched nontraumatized controls (CTRL; n = 16) on tests of attention. Performance of the PTSD+ group was significantly worse than the other groups on measures of sustained and divided attention, but not on shifting of visuospatial selective attention. Performance differences were not attributable to co-morbid psychiatric disorders or substance abuse. The implications of these findings regarding the effects of trauma on attentional functions are discussed.