Performance on the Multisource Interference Task Moderates the Relationship Between Trauma Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

Abstract

We examined performance on the Multisource Interference Task (MSIT) as a moderator of the relationship between traumatic experience and posttraumatic stress symptom (PTSS) severity. A college sample (N = 108) completed the MSIT, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST), and self-report questionnaires. Both MSIT and WCST performance were examined in moderation models to demonstrate the specificity of MSIT performance as a moderator. Absolute processing speed during the MSIT significantly moderated the relationship between number of traumatic experiences and PTSS severity. Moderation was not demonstrated for WCST performance, relative processing speed during the MSIT, or absolute or relative MSIT error rates. Implications for research and practical applications are discussed.

Keywords

cognitive ability posttraumatic stress disorder stress reaction

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