The sensitivity and specificity of flashbacks and nightmares to trauma

Traumatic events are commonly re-experienced by trauma survivors through nightmares and flashbacks. The current study examined the relative sensitivity and specificity of these two forms of re-experiencing trauma in female survivors of rape. The frequency of nightmares and flashbacks were assessed using the Nightmare Frequency Questionnaire (NFQ) and the Flashback Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), respectively. The FFQ was developed for this study and is designed to assess the frequency and occurrence of flashbacks in trauma survivors. The NFQ, FFQ and a variety of other measures were completed by 34 female survivors of rape and 28 female control participants. Results provided support for the construct and criterion validity of the FFQ, and demonstrated that flashbacks are more sensitive and specific indicators of the presence of trauma than are nightmares.