Emotional reactivity across individuals with varying trauma and substance dependence histories

Background: Research has reported a high rate of substance dependence in traumatized individuals who do not develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (TWP, trauma without exposure to PTSD). While past studies have failed to consistently demonstrate that TWP individuals experience PTSD symptoms, findings have indicated that TWP and a history of substance dependence (SDH, substance dependence history) aside from nicotine dependence are linked to affect disruption. Aims: The present study explored positive and negative affective mechanisms across four groups with varying SDH and TWP including TWP+SDH, TWP only, SDH only, or no history. Researchers hypothesized that adults (n=78) would be more emotionally reactive to an experimentally induced negative mood compared to a neutral mood induction as the presence of co-existing TWP and SDH increased. Method: After a brief telephone screening, eligible participants completed baseline self-report questionnaires and experimentally manipulated negative and neutral mood inductions. Results: Most notably, results showed a significant TWP×SDH×Mood induction interaction (F (1, 63)=4.154; Mse=51.999; p=.046) for positive affect responses. Simple effects indicated that all participants except TWP+SDH individuals experienced a significant decrease in positive affect during the negative compared to the neutral mood condition. Conclusion: Findings may identify a protective mechanism for relapse among individuals with a history of both TWP and SDH.