Left hand preference is related to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Citation

Choudhary CJ & O'Carroll R (2007) Left hand preference is related to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 20 (3), pp. 365-369. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.20222

Abstract
Previous studies have found an increased incidence of mixed/left handedness in male combat veterans and children with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This study examined lateral preference and screened for possible PTSD using a self-completion instrument in a general population sample (N=596). Fifty-one individuals met all criteria for possible diagnosis of PTSD and, significantly, this group contained relatively more left handers; this effect was associated with strong left-handedness, rather than weak or mixed handedness. Left handers were found to have significantly higher scores in arousal symptoms of PTSD. This study extends previous findings to a civilian population and to women and suggests the association with left handedness may be a robust finding in people with PTSD.

Keywords
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; PTSD; Handedness; left handedness; laterality; symptoms; Left- and right-handedness; Post-traumatic stress disorder

Journal
Journal of Traumatic Stress: Volume 20, Issue 3

People

Professor Ronan O'Carroll

Professor, Psychology