The association between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and executive functioning

Abstract

Introduction: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition characterised by several disturbances in an individual's executive functioning. We were interested in the link between executive functions and the presence of anxiety and depression in a clinical population with post-traumatic stress disorder. Methods: Our sample comprised 180 participants divided into three groups: 60 with PTSD, 60 trauma-exposed without PTSD, and 60 controls. All participants were assessed on the following dimensions: PTSD, dissociation, executive functions, anxiety, and depression. Results: Consistent with the literature, the results of our study suggest that individuals with PTSD have difficulties in executive functioning. These disturbances are related to levels of anxiety and depression. Conclusion: The severity of PTSD is positively correlated with executive function disturbances, but the observed disturbances, especially in working memory updating, can be explained mainly by the high level of depression, rather than by PTSD alone.