Attention Bias Variability and Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

AbstractCognitive theories implicate information‐processing biases in the etiology of anxiety disorders. Results of attention‐bias studies in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been inconsistent, suggesting biases towards and away from threat. Within‐subject variability of attention biases in posttraumatic patients may be a useful marker for attentional control impairment and the development of posttrauma symptoms. This study reports 2 experiments investigating threat‐related attention biases, mood and anxiety symptoms, and attention‐bias variability following trauma. Experiment 1 included 3 groups in a cross‐sectional design: (a) PTSD, (b) trauma‐exposed without PTSD, and (c) healthy controls with no trauma or Axis I diagnoses. Greater attention‐bias variability was found in the PTSD group compared to the other 2 groups ; attention‐bias variability was significantly and positively correlated (r = .37) with PTSD symptoms. Experiment 2 evaluated combat‐exposed and nonexposed soldiers before and during deployment. Attention‐bias variability did not differentiate groups before deployment, but did differentiate groups during deployment ; increased variability was observed in groups with acute posttraumatic stress symptoms and acute depression symptoms only. Attention‐bias variability could be a useful marker for attentional impairment related to threat cues associated with mood and anxiety symptoms after trauma exposure.