Verfaellie M, Patt V, Lafleche G, Strang C, Vasterling JJ. Future thinking in PTSD: Preliminary evidence for altered event construction.
Psychiatry Res 2024;
333:115768. [PMID:
38325161 PMCID:
PMC10901291 DOI:
10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115768]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Using a future event fluency task, the current study sought to examine future event construction in PTSD and to identify clinical profiles associated with altered event construction. Thirty-eight trauma exposed war-zone veterans with (n=25) and without (n=13) PTSD generated within one minute as many positive and negative future events as possible in the near and distant future. The PTSD group generated fewer specific, but not generic, events than the no-PTSD group, a difference that was amplified for positive events as a result of comorbid depression. Clinical correlates of event construction varied as a function of event valence.
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