The sensitivity and specificity of flashbacks and nightmares to trauma.
Traumatic events are commonly re-experienced by trauma survivors through nightmares and flashbacks. The current study examined the relative sensitivity and specificity of these two forms of re-experiencing trauma in female survivors of rape. The frequency of nightmares and flashbacks were assessed using the Nightmare Frequency Questionnaire (NFQ) and the Flashback Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), respectively. The FFQ was developed for this study and is designed to assess the frequency and occurrence of flashbacks in trauma survivors. The NFQ, FFQ and a variety of other measures were completed by 34 female survivors of rape and 28 female control participants. Results provided support for the construct and criterion validity of the FFQ, and demonstrated that flashbacks are more sensitive and specific indicators of the presence of trauma than are nightmares.
Duke
Lisa A
LA
Department of Psychology, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154-5030, USA.
Allen
Daniel N
DN
Rozee
Patricia D
PD
Bommaritto
Matthew
M
D000328:Adult; D035061:Control Groups; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004325:Dreams / Q000523:psychology*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008568:Memory; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012372:ROC Curve; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*