Summary
- Major: Psychology
- Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mariann Weierich
- Research Topic: The Association Between Hormonal Contraception and Trauma Related Reactivity
- New Scholar: 2023 Cohort
- Graduating with a Baccalaureate Degree: 2026
Abstract
Women are twice as likely as men to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following trauma exposure, which may be associated with gonadal hormone fluctuations. Gonadal hormones in women (i.e. estradiol) are biological targets of hormonal contraception, which keeps estradiol levels consistently high. Previous research shows that high levels of estradiol are protective against trauma-related symptoms and associated physiological reactivity, but little is known about how hormonal contraception might influence this relationship. To investigate this, I will test the hypotheses that when compared to naturally cycling women, 1) women using oral contraception will have lower trauma-related symptom severity in the early follicular (i.e. low estradiol) phase of the menstrual cycle, and 2) women using oral contraception will have decreased reactivity to trauma reminders in the early follicular phase. To do this, 40 women, 20 naturally cycling and 20 using oral contraception, will be brought into our lab and given the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, which will assess trauma-related symptoms and severity. Additionally, saliva samples will be taken at three time points to measure cortisol, a hypothalamic pituitary adrenal-axis activity biomarker, and sAA, a sympathetic nervous system activity biomarker. Hypothesis 1 will be supported if there is lower average symptom severity in the contraception group vs the naturally cycling group. Hypothesis 2 will be supported if there is lower average cortisol and sAA reactivity in the contraception group vs the naturally cycling group. Through this research, we hope to narrow gender disparities in rates of psychopathology and inform treatment methods.