Self-reported executive dysfunction predicts COVID-19 traumatic stress: A prospective study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Executive dysfunction is a known risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread traumatic stress symptoms.
• Prospective research on executive dysfunction and pandemic-related trauma is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine if prepandemic executive dysfunction predicts subsequent COVID-related traumatic stress.
• To investigate the unique contribution of executive dysfunction compared to attentional control and distress intolerance.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of 336 community adults.
• Measures of executive dysfunction, attentional control, and distress intolerance collected in 2016.
• COVID-related traumatic stress symptoms assessed bi-weekly for 30 weeks starting March 2020.

Main Results:

• Executive dysfunction and attentional control correlated with the trajectory of traumatic stress symptoms.
• None of the predictors uniquely predicted the trajectory of COVID-related traumatic stress.
• Executive dysfunction, attentional control, and distress intolerance were associated with increased initial traumatic stress symptoms.
• Only executive dysfunction uniquely predicted increased initial traumatic stress symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Prepandemic executive dysfunction uniquely predicted increased risk of COVID-related traumatic stress symptoms.
• Findings suggest executive dysfunction is a significant risk factor for trauma reactions during pandemics.
• Implications for developing preventative strategies for future pandemic-related trauma are discussed.