Event-based prospective memory among veterans: The role of posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity in executing intentions.
OBJECTIVE
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been linked with neuropsychological deficits in several areas, including attention, learning and memory, and cognitive inhibition. Although memory dysfunction is among the most commonly documented deficits associated with PTSD, our existing knowledge pertains only to retrospective memory. The current study investigated the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and event-based prospective memory (PM).


METHOD
Forty veterans completed a computerized event-based PM task, a self-report measure of PTSD, and measures of retrospective memory.


RESULTS
Hierarchical regression analysis results revealed that PTSD symptom severity accounted for 16% of the variance in PM performance, F(3, 36) = 3.47, p < .05, after controlling for age and retrospective memory. Additionally, each of the three PTSD symptom clusters was related, to varying degrees, with PM performance.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that elevated PTSD symptoms may be associated with more difficulties completing tasks requiring PM. Further examination of PM in PTSD is warranted, especially in regard to its impact on everyday functioning.
['McFarland|Craig P|CP|', 'Clark|Justin B|JB|', 'Lee|Lewina O|LO|', 'Grande|Laura J|LJ|', 'Marx|Brian P|BP|', 'Vasterling|Jennifer J|JJ|']
D000328:Adult D001900:Boston D005260:Female D006801:Humans D033182:Intention D008297:Male D008569:Memory Disorders D061212:Memory, Episodic D008875:Middle Aged D012720:Severity of Illness Index D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic D014728:Veterans D055815:Young Adult
event-based Prospective memory posttraumatic stress disorder anxiety