Facial trustworthiness perception bias elevated in individuals with PTSD compared to trauma exposed controls

Abstract Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research has focused largely on fear processing. However, interpersonal trauma exposure can also impact interpersonal functioning and the perception of the trustworthiness of others. The present study examined facial perceptions of fearfulness and trustw...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychiatry research 2016-03, Vol.237, p.43-48
Main Authors: Fertuck, Eric A, Tsoi, Fai, Grinband, Jack, Ruglass, Lesia, Melara, Robert, Hien, Denise A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Face
Facial emotion recognition
Fear
Fear - psychology
Female
Humans
Interpersonal problems
Male
Middle Aged
Psychiatry
PTSD
Social cognition
Social Perception
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology
Trauma
Trust
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) research has focused largely on fear processing. However, interpersonal trauma exposure can also impact interpersonal functioning and the perception of the trustworthiness of others. The present study examined facial perceptions of fearfulness and trustworthiness in individuals with PTSD ( n =29), trauma-exposed without PTSD ( n =19), and healthy controls ( n =18). The PTSD group was hypothesized to exhibit a bias to perceive more fear and untrustworthiness in faces relative to controls. Participants rated the level of fearfulness or trustworthiness of faces that were parametrically morphed along a fear or trustworthiness dimension. The PTSD group was biased to perceive faces as more trustworthy compared to the trauma-exposed healthy controls, yet there were no differences between groups in fear processing. A trustworthiness bias in PTSD may represent a vulnerability factor. Conversely, lower trustworthiness perception may represent a protective disposition in trauma-exposed individuals who do not develop PTSD. Differences in the perception of trustworthiness may be an aspect of social perception that is independent of the fear processing abnormalities observed in PTSD.
ISSN:0165-1781
1872-7123
DOI:10.1016/j.psychres.2016.01.056