Do attentional mechanisms play a role in elevated intrusion vulnerability following stressor exposure?

Exposure to stressors is a universal human experience, though individual responses to stressful experiences vary greatly. This research program examined the interplay between stressor exposure, attentional mechanisms, and elevated intrusion vulnerability. Studies examining a range of attentional mechanisms did not support their role in elevated intrusion vulnerability following stressor exposure. The findings do support a potential role for attentional dysregulation in response to stressor exposure. This highlights avenues for future research working towards the identification of validated measures to identify risk for poor mental health outcomes and inform intervention strategies after stressor exposure.