Pre-ejection period (PEP) in reward task and recurring victimization: A pilot study

Abstract

Objectives

This study examines the relationship between pre-ejection period (PEP) reward reactivity, a peripheral marker for central dopamine reactivity during reward responding, and sexual victimization and recurring sexual victimization.

Methods

Electrocardiogram and impedance cardiography were recorded during a simple number-matching reward task to calculate PEP reward reactivity among 44 female college students.

Results

We found that those who experienced recurring sexual victimization had less PEP shortening to reward than those who experienced a single victimization and no victimization in a two-group (i.e., recurring vs. others) comparison. However, when examining these three groups, the differences in scores were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

In line with similar research, less PEP shortening among recurring sexual victims may suggest that they are insensitive physiologically to reward and may seek sensation or risk to upregulate their central dopamine activity. Findings should be contextualized within the lens of novel exploratory research, limited by sample size (n = 44).