To Dissociate or Suppress? Predicting Automatic vs. Conscious Cognitive Avoidance
Abstract
Cognitive avoidance is a common response to sexual assault and reminders of trauma, but there is a paucity of research regarding predictors of automatic and conscious cognitive avoidance in response to trauma-related stimuli. The present study examined whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms, physiological responses, and subjective emotional responses predicted peritraumatic dissociation and thought suppression in a sample of 86 female sexual assault victims. Participants provided information about their current symptoms of PTSD and depression as well as their emotional reactions and physiological responses to hearing a personalized sexual assault narrative. PTSD and self-reported anger predicted thought suppression; peritraumatic dissociation was predicted by PTSD symptoms, changes in skin conductance, and self-reported arousal. Heart rate failed to predict either cognitive avoidance response. The results suggest that peritraumatic dissociation and thought suppression are associated with different physiological and emotional responses to trauma cues, perhaps because they tap different memory systems. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
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Hetzel-Riggin and Wilber (2010) found a positive correlation between skin conductance response and peritraumatic dissociation in a sample of female assault victims (r = .24, p < .050) but not in the subset who had a diagnosis of PTSD (r = .19, p = .434).
“Hetzel-Riggin and Wilber (2010) found a positive correlation between SCR and peritraumatic dissociation in a sample of female assault victims (r = .24, p < .050) but not in the subset who had a diagnosis of PTSD (r = .19, p = .434).”
From Trauma-related dissociation and the autonomic nervous system: a systematic literature review of psychophysiological correlates of dissociative experiencing in PTSD patients (2022) · cites this paper as Hetzel-Riggin and Wilber (2010)
Other studies showed a slight trend towards hyperarousal associated with retrospectively assessed dissociative reactions experienced during the initial traumatic event.
“Other studies showed a slight trend towards hyperarousal associated with the retrospectively assessed dissociative reactions experienced during the initial traumatic event (Hetzel-Riggin & Wilber, 2010; Ladwig et al., 2002; Sledjeski & Delahanty, 2012).”
From Trauma-related dissociation and the autonomic nervous system: a systematic literature review of psychophysiological correlates of dissociative experiencing in PTSD patients (2022) · cites this paper as Hetzel-Riggin & Wilber, 2010
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“…and a negative correlation between peritraumatic dissociation and the PEP score (r = −.42, p = .008), which corresponds to a faster HR. Additionally, Hetzel-Riggin and Wilber (2010) demonstrate a large positive correlation between peritraumatic dissociation and HR in a PTSD subsample during the…”
BackgroundResultInfluentialdel Río-Casanova, L., González, A., Páramo, M., Van Dijke, A., & Brenlla, J. (2016) · Reviews in the Neurosciences · doi:10.1515/revneuro-2015-0045 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Lewis, G. C., Platts-Mills, T. F., Liberzon, I., Bair, E., Swor, R., Peak, D., Jones, J., Rathlev, N., Lee, D., Domeier, R., et al. (2014) · Journal of Trauma & Dissociation · doi:10.1080/15299732.2014.908805 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
- Authors
- Hetzel-Riggin, M. D., & Wilber, E. L.
- Affiliations
- Western Illinois University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Trauma & Dissociation
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2010-10-07
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 444-457
- ISSN
- 1529-9732 (ISSN-L)
- 1529-9740
- OpenAlex
- W1980473259
- Cited by
- 27
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Trauma & Dissociation (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
- Keywords
- cognitive avoidance, peritraumatic dissociation, thought suppression, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, sexual assault, trauma reminders, skin conductance, heart rate, arousal, anger, memory systems
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Defense Mechanisms, Dissociative Disorders, Female, Humans, Internal-External Control, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Sex Offenses, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Imagery, Psychotherapy, Young Adult
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