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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 26, 2026

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Published on: December 6, 2024

The relationship between cognitive control and posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Jessica Bomyea¹, Nader Amir, Ariel J Lang

¹San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, USA.

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry

|December 28, 2011

Summary

Cognitive control is linked to fewer re-experiencing symptoms in individuals with trauma exposure. This suggests cognitive control specifically impacts intrusive cognitions, not all posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 26, 2026

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Published on: December 6, 2024

Area of Science:

Psychology
Neuroscience
Mental Health

Background:

Individual differences in cognitive control may explain intrusive thoughts in emotional disorders.
The link between cognitive control and emotional disorders might be specific to intrusive symptoms like those in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between cognitive control, specifically working memory capacity (WMC), and PTSD symptom clusters.
To determine if cognitive control is specifically associated with re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance, or hyperarousal in individuals with trauma exposure.

Main Methods:

77 undergraduates with trauma exposure history completed assessments for WMC, PTSD symptoms, trait anxiety, and depression.
Regression models were used to predict PTSD symptom clusters (re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal) from WMC, anxiety, and depression scores.

Main Results:

A significant negative relationship was found between cognitive control (WMC) and re-experiencing symptoms.
Cognitive control was not significantly related to avoidance or hyperarousal symptoms after controlling for anxiety and depression.

Conclusions:

Findings support the hypothesis that cognitive control is specifically related to intrusive cognitions.
The study demonstrates the specificity of the cognitive control-PTSD relationship within individuals experiencing varying symptom severity.