Differential Effects of Subtypes of Trauma Symptoms on Couples' Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Reactivity and Recovery in Response to Interpersonal Stress

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Abstract
This article examined the relation of five subtypes of trauma symptoms to hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) functioning as as- sessed with salivary cortisol before, during, and after an experimentally induced interpersonal conflict task in 194 heterosexual young adult cou- ples. Trauma history and symptoms were assessed through structured clinical interviews and standardized self-report measures. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze the effects of trauma symptoms on trajectories of cortisol reactivity to and recovery from the interpersonal stress. Trauma-related anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and disso- ciation significantly predicted cortisol reactivity and recovery. Trauma- related anxiety, sleep disturbances, and sexual problems significantly predicted partners' cortisol reactivity to interpersonal stress.