Journal of traumatic stress
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Although traditionally conceptualized as an anxiety disorder, variability in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be explained by individual differences in peri- or posttraumatic disgust. We examined relationships between disgust reactions and other trauma-related symptoms in 100 veterans with a history of interpersonal trauma and gender differences in these variables. We also evaluated the mediating role of posttraumatic disgust and guilt in the relationship between peritraumatic disgust and PTSD symptoms. ⋯ Posttraumatic disgust and guilt mediated the relationship between peritraumatic disgust and PTSD symptoms, controlling for gender (a1 a2 b1 = 0.18, SE = 0.09, PM = .19). Our results converge with those found in other studies suggesting that disgust is a common trauma-related emotion and that men and women may experience differential relationships between peri- and posttraumatic emotional experiences. Further study of the role of trauma-related emotional responses in PTSD etiology and treatment is warranted.