Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2025

Biomarkers in an Animal Model for Revealing Neural, Hematologic, and Behavioral Correlates of PTSD
Published on: October 10, 2012
The role of positive affect processes in the association between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and sleep: A
Brett A Messman1, Ling Jin2, Danica C Slavish1
1Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA.
Objectives:
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms have been linked to sleep disturbances. Limited work has explored how positive affect processes may account for this relationship. Advancing research in this area, we utilized a multi-study design to investigate the role of positive affect processes (levels of positive affect, positive emotionality, hedonic deficits, negative affect interference) in the PTSD-sleep association.
Methods:
Data from 149 trauma-exposed firefighters (Mage = 38.93 ± 9.65, 5.40 % women) were collected between September 2021 and November 2021, and data from 119 trauma-exposed community members (Mage = 29.60 ± 8.67, 68.10 % women) were collected between February 2021 and December 2021. Participants completed an online survey on PTSD symptoms, sleep disturbances, and positive affect processes.
Results:
Positive affect levels (b = 0.03, 95 % confidence interval [CI] [0.01, 0.06]; firefighter sample), positive emotionality (b = 0.07, CI [0.03, 0.13]; community sample), and negative affect interference (b = 0.06, CI [0.01, 0.14]; community sample) significantly accounted for the associations between PTSD symptom severity and sleep disturbances controlling for the effects of gender and age.
Conclusion:
Findings highlight the role of positive affect processes in the link between PTSD and sleep, and support addressing positive affect processes as potential targets in clinical interventions for co-occurring PTSD-sleep problems.
More Related Videos
04:33Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
08:08Eye Tracking, Cortisol, and a Sleep vs. Wake Consolidation Delay: Combining Methods to Uncover an Interactive Effect of Sleep and Cortisol on Memory
Published on: June 18, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Primary Motives: Sleep, Sex, and Pain Avoidance
Sleep is a fundamental physiological drive that fosters a state of restfulness crucial for several bodily functions. It facilitates body restoration, the process by which the body repairs, rejuvenates, and maintains itself during sleep, including memory...
Cause and Effect
Nightmares and Night Terrors
Nightmares...
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle