Examining the role of trait anxiety and attentional bias to negative information in intrusion vulnerability following an emotionally negative event

Background and objectives

Research shows that individuals with heightened trait anxiety are more likely to experience intrusions; however, the mechanism that accounts for this relationship is unclear. Two alternative hypotheses were tested to determine the nature of the associations between trait anxiety, attentional bias to negative information, and intrusion vulnerability.

Methods

Intrusions were elicited using the trauma film paradigm, and post-event attentional bias to negative information was assessed using the dot-probe task. Participants then completed a week-long intrusions diary.

Results

Results showed that attentional bias to negative information mediated the effect of heightened trait anxiety on elevated intrusion frequency. It was also revealed that heightened trait anxiety was associated with elevated intrusion-related distress, though attentional bias to negative information did not mediate this relationship.

Limitations

Our sample was comprised of undergraduate students who were not selected based on a previous pathology. Replication in clinical samples is warranted.

Conclusions

These findings provide new insight regarding individual differences in the experience of intrusions and suggest that both the frequency and distress associated with intrusions could represent clinical targets.