Year: 2012
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition characterized by prominent affective symptoms and by a hyperactive nervous system in response to severe stress. Adrenergic receptors, when hyper-stimulated during severe or chronic stress, can become permanently altered. Physiological changes due to stress are being tested for use as assessment tools. Further information is needed to determine if medications commonly administered for PTSD will mask the physiological changes associated with stress. The purpose of this study was to compare the cardiac response rates of a convenience sample of abused and non-abused women. The abused women were recruited from a mental health clinic and were categorized into four groups based on their treatment(s): Benzodiazepines (Benzo), Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI), or both Benzo and SSRl's. Non-medicated group were non-abused women who were recruited from Latter Day Saint Social Services. Stress response theory guided the study. Cardiac rate responses were then measured at 0, 1, 5, and 10 minutes (lying down) and 0, 1, and 5 minutes (standing). Significant relationships existed between difference scores at 1 minute lying down and 5 minute standing for abused and non-abused women (r =.854, P :s .05, r =.651, P :s .05, respectively). The mean differences in pulse rates for all types of abuse indicated that the physiological responses to sexual abuse alone are not as dramatic as responses to physical and sexual abuse. This may have been due to the small sample. The high-low mean for treatment groups show treatment with Benzo and/or SSRl's do not mask the cardiac response rates. Pulse rates continue to be viable assessment tools for identification of traumatic responses, even with individuals on medications. The results are significant for nursing because a physiologic protocol for abuse assessments will improve the ability of clinicians to reveal abused clients and intervene effectively.
Author: Catherine O. Owen
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1704204799