E-ISSN : 2733-4538
The purposes of this study were to examine the characteristics of the implicit association test (IAT) and the heart rate variability (HRV) after performing mental imagery using the modified trauma recall paradigm, and to investigate whether IAT and HRV measures could predict posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) status. Participants were 71 college students, 58 community residents without PTSD, 29 community residents who have experienced traumatic events, and 82 patients with PTSD, totaling 240 persons. This study manipulated mental imagery by leading participants to recall self-related traumatic events or to imagine negative or neutral events. The results showed that PTSD was associated with enhanced implicit selfnegative associations when negative events were imagined and high LF/HF ratio when self-related traumatic events were recalled. Logistic regression analysis showed that cumulative trauma, avoidance, and hyperarousal symptoms were associated with a PTSD diagnosis. The model remained significant after the addition of heart rate (HR) and the D score of IAT, and correctly classified 76.5% of the cases with PTSD. The results suggest that HRV and IAT measures can increase the sensitivity of PTSD diagnosis. Finally, limitations of this study and suggestions for further research were also discussed.
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