Attentional dysfunction associated with posttraumatic stress disorder among rape survivors

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by subjective reports of decreased concentration and an inability to sustain attention. Some emp irical validation of these symptoms has been demonstrated via reduced perfo rmance on attentional tests among war veterans with PTSD. However, the sign ificance of such findings is unclear given high co-morbidity with other psy chiatric, neurologic, and substance abuse disorders among veterans. The pre sent study examined neuropsychological functioning among rape survivors wit h PTSD, a patient population with comparatively low rates of psychiatric co -morbidity. Rape survivors with PTSD (PTSD+; n = 15) were compared to rape survivors without PTSD (PTSD-; n = 16) and age- and education-matched nontr aumatized controls (CTRL; n = 16) on tests of attention. Performance of the PTSD+ group was significantly worse than the other groups on measures of s ustained and divided attention, but not on shifting of visuospatial selecti ve attention. Performance differences were not attributable to co-morbid ps ychiatric disorders or substance abuse. The implications of these findings regarding the effects of trauma on attentional functions are discussed.