The prevalence of PTSD is estimated to be 7% in the general population, with approximately 24% of all individuals exposed to a significant trauma developing the disorder (Kessler et al., 1995). Relative to other symptoms of PTSD, symptoms of emotional numbing (i.e., loss of interest, interpersonal detachment, flattened affect) have demonstrated robust associations with reduced quality of life, social impairment, and poor treatment response. Despite the apparent impact of these symptoms, emotional numbing remains one of the least understood features of PTSD. Some theoretical models conceptualize numbing as an avoidance mechanism intended to dull the experience of emotions associated with the traumatic event. In support of this conceptualization, research has documented that individuals with PTSD may purposefully withhold expression of emotion. Basic research on emotion regulation indicates that withholding may result in attenuated positive affect, increased physiological arousal, and impaired social interaction;however, no study to date has examined the effects of manipulated expression within a trauma-relevant context. As such, it is hypothesized that expressive withholding may be a process that contributes to posttraumatic numbing. To explicate the impact of expressive withholding following exposure to a stressful event, the proposed research will utilize a film paradigm adapted from Gross and Levenson (1993;1997). Male and female participants will be asked to view three successive films - a neutral film (baseline), an analogue trauma film depicting graphic scenes of an actual suicide, and one of two experimental films containing a positively or negatively valenced scene. Prior to viewing the assigned experimental film, participants will receive instructions either to withhold expressive emotion during the film or just to watch the film segment carefully. Subjective affect and physiological activation will be recorded in response to each film.
The specific aims of the proposed study are to 1) determine the effect of expressive withholding on the experience of discrete emotional states (i.e., amusement, sadness), 2) examine the impact of withholding on indices of higher- order emotion (i.e., valence, arousal) and 3) examine the effect of withholding on indices of sympathetic (i.e., skin conductance level) and parasympathetic (i.e., respiratory sinus arrhythmia) activation.

Public Health Relevance

Emotional expression is believed to serve an important role for adaptive psychological, physiological, and social functioning. Research examining the impact of expressive withholding following trauma exposure may elucidate one potential mechanism contributing to posttraumatic numbing. Research in this area may assist in the development of techniques to augment existing treatments for PTSD

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31MH083385-03
Application #
8046452
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F12B-N (20))
Program Officer
Rubio, Mercedes
Project Start
2009-05-01
Project End
2011-07-31
Budget Start
2011-05-01
Budget End
2011-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$7,908
Indirect Cost
Name
State University of New York at Buffalo
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
038633251
City
Buffalo
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14260
Ripley, Adam J; Clapp, Joshua D; Beck, J Gayle (2017) A prospective examination of risk factors in the development of intrusions following a trauma analog. Behav Res Ther 94:71-80
Clapp, Joshua D; Patton, Samantha C; Beck, J Gayle (2015) Expressive inhibition in response to stress: implications for emotional processing following trauma. J Anxiety Disord 29:109-18
Beck, J Gayle; Clapp, Joshua D; Jacobs-Lentz, Jason et al. (2014) The association of mental health conditions with employment, interpersonal, and subjective functioning after intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women 20:1321-37
Clapp, Joshua D; Jones, Judiann M; Jaconis, Maryanne et al. (2014) Expressive inhibition following interpersonal trauma: an analysis of reported function. J Anxiety Disord 28:230-6
Clapp, Joshua D; Beck, J Gayle (2012) Treatment of PTSD in older adults: Do cognitive-behavioral interventions remain viable? Cogn Behav Pract 19:126-135
Beck, J Gayle; McNiff, Judiann; Clapp, Joshua D et al. (2011) Exploring negative emotion in women experiencing intimate partner violence: shame, guilt, and PTSD. Behav Ther 42:740-50
Clapp, Joshua D; Olsen, Shira A; Danoff-Burg, Sharon et al. (2011) Factors contributing to anxious driving behavior: the role of stress history and accident severity. J Anxiety Disord 25:592-8
Clapp, Joshua D; Olsen, Shira A; Beck, J Gayle et al. (2011) The Driving Behavior Survey: scale construction and validation. J Anxiety Disord 25:96-105
Beck, J Gayle; Clapp, Joshua D (2011) A different kind of co-morbidity: Understanding posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain. Psychol Trauma 3:101-108
Clapp, Joshua D; Masci, Jarod; Bennett, Shira A et al. (2010) Physical and psychosocial functioning following motor vehicle trauma: relationships with chronic pain, posttraumatic stress, and medication use. Eur J Pain 14:418-25