title: Initial physiological responses and perceived hyperarousal predict subsequent emotional numbing in pediatric injury patients.
abstract: The present study tested the hypothesis that acute posttraumatic hyperarousal would lead to the development of emotional numbing (EN) symptoms in a pediatric injury population. Eighty-two youths aged 8-18 years were recruited from the emergency department of a Midwestern children's hospital. Heart rate was recorded from emergency medical services reports and a 12-hour urine collection was initiated upon admission. Six weeks and 6 months later, depression and PTSD symptoms were assessed. Initial heart rate and urinary cortisol levels predicted 6-week and 6-month EN after controlling for concurrent depression, avoidance, and reexperiencing symptoms and 6-week hyperarousal symptoms. These findings provide empirical support for prior hypotheses concerning the development of PTSD symptoms over time.
authors.affiliation: Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Nugent
authors.forename: Norman C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Christopher
authors.forename: Douglas L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Delahanty
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone