An investigation into the expression and severity of symptom clusters in veterans with PTSD, based upon the learning theory of Stress Sensitisation.

Abstract

The present study conducted a scoping review and exploratory meta-analysis of the evidence for stress sensitisation in veterans with PTSD and an investigation of the symptom clusters prevalent in these veterans. Accordingly, eligibility criteria were created to select relevant studies: firstly, that they looked at learning theories in veterans with PTSD, secondly that they contained a measurement for stress sensitisation and/or a measurement of PTSD symptom clusters, and finally the measurement for stress sensitisation used repeated stressors that tested a physiological response over time. 2167 articles were screened in accordance with the articles that appeared with the search terms put into PubMed. Seven articles fit the eligibility criteria and was analysed. The results from this study did not reveal the evidence needed to support the first hypothesis; that the evidence for stress sensitisation will be apparent in the high rates of physiological reactivity to a stressor in veterans with PTSD (g=.332; CI, -.084-756; p=.117). The second hypothesis stated that the learning theory of stress sensitization would affect the severity of symptom clusters in veterans with PTSD, we expected veterans with PTSD will show higher rates of symptom cluster D. This second hypothesis was also not supported by the data from this study, using the three articles that included measurements on symptom clusters in veterans with PTSD (p =0.118, CI, -0.062-0.55). This meta-analysis could provide a basis for future studies, adding to the current knowledge around the learning theories that contribute to the etiology and severity of PTSD in a veteran population.