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.