LIFE AFTER TRAUMA - PERSONALITY AND DAILY-LIFE EXPERIENCES OF TRAUMATIZED PEOPLE

In this study, we explored differences in personality and daily life e xperiences of traumatized (n = 26) versus nontraumatized (n = 30) coll ege students. Study participants completed a variety of personality me asures as well as a 28-day experience sampling study assessing daily a ctivities, emotions, and physical health. Although not differing on ge neral demographics, traumatized individuals reported more trait anxiet y and lower self-esteem than nontraumatized individuals. They scored h igher on Neuroticism, were more introverted, and were less emotionally stable than nontraumatized participants. Traumatized individuals also reported more cognitive disturbances, emotional blunting, and interpe rsonal withdrawal. They did not report being more depressed, but did e ndorse cognitive styles associated with heightened risk for depression . Earlier age of trauma was associated with more pathological outcomes : lower self-esteem and psychological well-being, more anxiety, more p essimism, and emotional constriction of positive mood. We compare this symptom profile to that of posttraumatic stress disorder.