Startle reactivity and PTSD symptoms in a community sample of women

Exaggerated startle and PTSD symptoms have been investigated primarily in r elation to acute or Type I stressors. The present study examined PTSD sympt oms and startle eyeblink response in relation to chronic or Type II stresso rs. Type IT stressors were operationally defined as high levels of childhoo d corporal punishment and high levels of current partner aggression. This s tudy recruited a sample of 52 women from a metropolitan community and admin istered several questionnaires assessing experience of corporal punishment in childhood, current intimate partner aggression and level of PTSD symptom s. Following questionnaires, women were presented with eight auditory start le probes (white noise). Results showed that both childhood corporal punish ment and intimate partner aggression were associated with women's PTSD symp tom scores. However, only PTSD symptom scores were associated with reduced startle. Results ar e discussed in light of Type I and Type II stressors, a nd recent suggestions in the PTSD literature that a subgroup of individuals may experience physiological suppression rather than heightened physiologi cal reactivity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.