(PS13-94) Examining Relationships Between Trauma Exposure and Reward System Functioning in a Trauma-exposed College Student Sample

Trauma exposure increases one’s risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, two psychological disorders marked by reward system impairment. Certain types of trauma exposure (e.g., direct, interpersonal) are associated with greater psychological risk and symptom severity as compared to other types of trauma exposure (e.g., indirect, non-interpersonal). Preliminary findings suggest that reward system dysfunction may be a pathway through which trauma exposure influences the development of subsequent PTSD and depressive symptoms. Yet, little is known about the impact of different types of trauma exposure on unique elements of reward system functioning. This is the first study to examine associations between direct and indirect trauma exposure, as well as interpersonal and non-interpersonal trauma exposure, and anticipatory (ARR) and consummatory reward responsiveness (CRR). A sample of 455 trauma-exposed undergraduate students completed questionnaires assessing demographic information and baseline trauma exposure [Life Event Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5)] as well as a daily diary paradigm assessing ARR and CRR three times a day for seven consecutive days. Results suggest that overall cumulative trauma exposure demonstrates broad-based, negative effects on reward responsiveness (ARR: β = -.006, t(1390.61) = -2.34, p = .019; CRR: β = -.005, t(1487.41) = -2.31, p = .021), while indirect trauma exposure is negatively associated with CRR (β = -.063, t(82.54) = -4.13, p < .001) but not ARR (β = -.031, t(75.29) = -1.97, p = .053). Findings also highlight the importance of examining the two types of direct trauma exposure (i.e., (1) trauma happening to an individual, (2) an individual witnessing trauma) separately in future investigations as they may demonstrate differential relationships with these distinct temporal facets of reward responsiveness.  This study adds critically to the literature, highlighting cumulative and indirect trauma exposure as correlates of reward system dysfunction, which may in turn heighten risk for further psychopathology. These findings are an important first step in elucidating the relationships among different types of trauma exposure, unique changes in reward system functioning, and the subsequent development of psychological symptoms. Enhanced understanding of the broad-based effects of trauma may be used to target prevention efforts and support the optimization of cognitive behavioral approaches for treating psychological disorders such as PTSD and depression.