Response inhibition and cognitive appraisal in clients with acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to compare response inhibition and cognitive appraisal in clients with acute stress disorder, clients with posttraumatic stress disorder, and normal individuals.


METHODS
This was a comparative study. The sample consisted of 40 clients with acute stress disorder, 40 patients with posttraumatic stress disorder, and 40 normal individuals from Mazandaran province selected through convenience sampling method. Data were collected using Composite International Diagnostic Interview, Stroop Color-Word Test, Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory, and the Impact of Event Scale.


RESULTS
Results showed that individuals with acute stress disorder are less able to inhibit inappropriate responses and have more impaired cognitive appraisals compared to those with posttraumatic stress disorder. Moreover, results showed that response inhibition and cognitive appraisal explain 75% of the variance in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and 38% of the variance in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that response inhibition and cognitive appraisal are two variables that influence the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder symptoms. Also, these results have important implications for pathology, prevention, and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder.
Department of Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili University of Mohaghegh Ardebili, Ardabil, Iran.
Abass
A
Abolghasemi
Department of Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili University of Mohaghegh Ardebili, Ardabil, Iran.
Fereshteh
F
Bakhshian
Department of Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili University of Mohaghegh Ardebili, Ardabil, Iran.
Mohammad
M
Narimani
Cognitive appraisal; acute stress disorder; posttraumatic stress disorder; response inhibition