Consequences of Trauma and Victimization: Exploring the Relationship between Trauma, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, the Autonomic Nervous System, and Behavioral Outcomes

• In Event: Consequences of Victimization: Biosocial and Developmental Perspectives

Abstract

There is a growing literature concerning the effects that trauma has on both the mental health and physiological well-being of individuals. Moreover, the consequences of trauma have been shown to influence behavioral outcomes and alter routine activities. Further, the factors of trauma/victimization, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and physiological reactivity have been shown to be related to and exacerbate the effects of each other. In addition, the severity of trauma and the duration of negative consequences associated with the trauma have been shown to worsen and result in more pronounced behavioral outcomes. The current study seeks to see how severity and duration of these negative factors influence behavioral outcomes. Further, as a secondary goal, the current study seeks to better explain factors that act as a risk and as resiliency factors in how trauma and the consequences of trauma affect individuals. Using primary data collected from a southwestern state university a college student sample was used to better understand how trauma, PTSD, and physiological reactions influence negative behavioral outcomes.

Authors

• Richard Lewis, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

• Todd Armstrong, University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Danielle Boisvert, Sam Houston State University

• Jessica Wells, Boise State University