Citation

Adams Z, Adams T, Stauffacher K, Mandel H, Wang Z. J. Atten. Disord. 2015; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA wanzh@musc.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1087054715580846

PMID

25882836

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To address the nature of associations between ADHD symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) psychopathology in adult military veterans.

METHOD: Ninety-five combat veterans, with PTSD (n = 63) and without PTSD (n = 32), were recruited for this study. PTSD was assessed with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and ADHD was assessed with Connors' Adult ADHD Rating Scale-Self-Report: Short Version (CAARS-S:S).

RESULTS: PTSD participants endorsed greater hyperactivity or restlessness, inattention or memory problems, and impulsivity or emotional lability scores than participants without PTSD. Among PTSD participants, inattention or memory problems and impulsivity or emotional lability were significant predictors of total PTSD symptoms, but only inattention or memory problems significantly predicted PTSD symptoms when other ADHD symptom clusters were considered simultaneously.

CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that inattention may serve as a risk factor for posttraumatic stress symptoms following combat exposure.

Language: en