The Relationship between Exposure to Missiles and PTSD Symptoms as a Function of Hemispheric Preference in Israelis

Daniela Herzog, Moshe Farchi, Yori Gidron

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Recent research proposes that left hemispheric lateralization (HL) may protect against the effects of life events on mental distress. This study extends these findings by examining the protective role of left HL in the relationship between war threat (missile exposure) and PTSD symptoms. A sample of 186 Israelis, exposed to missile attacks, completed brief scales of self-reported missile exposure, a subjective and a neuropsychological HL measure, and of PTSD symptoms. The sample was split into right HL and left HL individuals on both HL measures. Self-reported missile exposure was positively associated with PTSD symptoms in right HL, but not in left HL individuals on both HL measures. These results replicate, extend our previous results and suggest that left HL may even protect against the effects of severe life threatening events. Results are discussed in relation to neuropsychological and neurophysiological differences between the hemispheres.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)59-74
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Trauma and Dissociation
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2018
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Keywords

  • Hemispheric lateralization
  • post-traumatic stress disorder
  • war threat

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Relationship between Exposure to Missiles and PTSD Symptoms as a Function of Hemispheric Preference in Israelis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this