Associations between safety aid usage and posttraumatic stress symptoms in trauma-exposed young adults

Abstract

Introduction

Safety aids, also known in the literature as safety behaviors, are maladaptive cognitive and behavioral strategies designed to prevent or reduce anxiety and/or distress. Research has shown that repeated use of such behaviors (e.g., hypervigilance, situational avoidance, checking behaviors, thought suppression) contributes to the development and maintenance of various anxiety and related disorders. However, less work has examined the role of safety aids in posttraumatic stress.

Method

Using a trauma-exposed sample of undergraduate students, the current study sought to examine mean levels of safety aid usage among individuals with (n = 35) and without probable PTSD (n = 57).

Results

Results revealed a significant difference between the two groups on overall safety aid usage and escape/avoidance and monitoring/vigilance behaviors. In particular, mean levels were higher among trauma-exposed individuals with probable PTSD compared to trauma-exposed individuals without probable PTSD.

Discussion

Findings are discussed with regard to prior research and treatment recommendations.