Work

Forgetting to Remember: The Impact of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder on Prospective and Retrospective Memory Performance

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: We examined the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on both prospective (PM) and retrospective (RM) memory performance among a cross-sectional veteran sample. METHOD: Data from tests of PM/RM memory and PTSD, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance symptoms were examined among a prospectively recruited sample of 26 veterans with confirmed PTSD (PTSD+) and 26 well-matched, combat-exposed controls who did not meet criteria for PTSD (PTSD-). RESULTS: Small-to-moderate negative correlations emerged between PTSD symptom severity, visuospatial RM and some aspects of PM; general anxiety correlated more strongly with memory. The PTSD+ group demonstrated significantly worse, but still average visuospatial RM; differences in PM were nonsignificant between groups. Regression analyses implicated generalized anxiety, but not other psychiatric symptomology, as significant contributors to all memory performances. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal memory differences were found between veterans with and without PTSD. PM/RM memory performance was better explained by generalized anxiety rather that PTSD-specific symptoms.

Source: Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology

DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acab028

Authors: Dale Korinek, Zachary J Resch, Jason R Soble, Darrin M Aase, Christopher Schroth, K Luan Phan