Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Author Spotlight: Developing Precise and Clinically Relevant Models for Studying Secondary Degeneration in Traumatic Optic Neuropathy
Published on: November 29, 2024
Functional Relationships of Binge Drinking and Alcohol-Related Problems With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in a Pilot
Angela J Zaur1, Christopher Latourrette1,2, Lance M Rappaport3
1Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Objective:
Posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms and problematic alcohol use (e.g., binge drinking and alcohol-related problems; ARP) commonly co-occur following stressors and traumatic events. Ecological momentary assessment methods can clarify the functional relationships between these conditions.
Methods:
Twenty-five trauma-exposed combat veterans with pre-pandemic heavy drinking histories completed three daily smartphone surveys for four weeks, assessing binge drinking, ARP, PTS symptoms, and positive and negative affect. Within-person multi-level models assessed PTS and alcohol relationships, covarying for affect and demographics.
Results:
Within-person variation in PTS was inversely associated with binge drinking but not associated with ARP after adjustment for interindividual heterogeneity. Within-person variation in ARP was not associated with PTS after adjustment for interindividual heterogeneity. The covariate of negative affect was positively associated with ARP and PTS.
Conclusions:
Findings suggest negative affect, rather than PTS, has the strongest association with variation in ARP symptoms in this at-risk sample. There was also evidence of individual differences in the strength and direction of effects.
More Related Videos
10:43Developing Neuroimaging Phenotypes of the Default Mode Network in PTSD: Integrating the Resting State, Working Memory, and Structural Connectivity
Published on: July 1, 2014
08:25Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Published on: December 6, 2024
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,...
Binge Eating Disorders
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Traumatic Memory
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle