Author
Karl, A., Carnelley, K. B., Arıkan, Gizem, Baldwin, D. S., Heinrichs, M., Stopa, L.
Publication Date
2021-06
Publication Place
-
Elsevier
Subject
Attachment priming, Intrusions, Oxytocin, Psychophysiology, Trauma film paradigm
Type
Periodical
Language
English
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Library
Özyeğin University
Library Asset ID
0005-7967
Record ID
3fe0d8a5-f51e-4c7c-99a2-ee9ea0a9034e
Library Location
Psychology
Date
2021-06
Notes
Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme (ORSAS) ; Compassionate Mind Foundation
Sample Text
To further understand protective mechanisms to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder or assist recovery from psychological trauma, this study investigated whether pharmacological and psychological activation of a secure attachment representation elicits higher felt-security and a related response pattern of reduced physiological arousal and increased parasympathetic activation; and whether it protects individuals from developing intrusions and experiencing distress in the week following exposure to a trauma film. Using a double-blind, experimental mixed factorial design, 101 volunteers received either oxytocin or placebo and either secure attachment or neutral priming before watching a trauma film. We measured felt security as an indicator of the strength of activation of a secure attachment representation, skin conductance and heart rate as indicators of physiological arousal, and high frequency heart rate variability as an indicator of parasympathetic activation during the priming and the film. Participants then completed a seven-day intrusion diary. Secure attachment priming, but not oxytocin administration or the combination of both, was associated with reduced physiological arousal and increased parasympathetic activity during priming. Although secure attachment priming was not related to the absolute number of intrusions or to less perceived distress or physiological arousal during the trauma film, it was associated with lower intrusion-related distress in the 7-days post-testing. Our findings extend previous research that suggests the importance of interventions that address intrusion-related distress for recovery from trauma, and suggest a promising role for secure attachment priming in trauma-focused psychological therapies. We contribute to the growing literature that finds that higher subjective distress during a trauma is associated with higher intrusion-related distress. We discuss theoretical implications and possible mechanisms through which secure attachment priming may exert potential beneficial effects.
DOI
10.1016/j.brat.2021.103845
Cilt
141
