High dose alcohol consumption predicts less reduction in post-traumatic stress symptoms after a campus mass shooting |
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| Authors: | Jacob B. Holzman David P. Valentiner Susan M. Hannan Douglas G. Wallace Holly K. Orcutt |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USAjacob.b.holzman@gmail.com;3. Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA |
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| Abstract: | Background: Recognizing that alcohol might affect subsequent processing of trauma-related information, this study examined whether high dose alcohol consumption (HDAC) following a campus mass shooting affected the relation between shooting exposure and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).Methods: Female participants (N?=?691) recorded levels of physical exposure to the shooting event, alcohol use, and PTSS 1 month following the shooting event and 8 months later.Results: No evidence was found to suggest that pre-shooting HDAC moderated the relationship between trauma exposure and PTSS 1 month following the shooting. HDAC in the month following the shooting predicted less resolution of PTSS 8 months later. Specifically, at higher (but not lower) levels of HDAC, shooting exposure was associated with less reduction in PTSS from 1 to 8 months post-trauma. Several alternate explanations were ruled out.Conclusions: Less reduction in PTSS seems to occur at high levels of both shooting exposure and HDAC. Theoretical implications and directions for future research are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | Post-traumatic stress high dose alcohol consumption campus mass shooting |
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