312EXPLORING PREDICTORS OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS SYMPTOMS: PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL, AND PERSONALITY FACTORS BEFORE AND AFTER TRAUMAExperiencing a traumatic event doesn't always lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it can result in symptoms of PTSD. The severity and presence of these symptoms vary widely among individuals who have gone through similar traumas. These differences may be influenced by pre-existing vulnerabilities. This study aimed to explore how psychological, physiological, and personality factors relate to post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Tests were conducted before and after traumatic events on a group of trainees (pre-trauma: 422; post-trauma: 198). Psychophysiological assessments were conducted prior to the trauma, measuring reactivity and conditioned fear acquisition. Lower IQ and poorer extinction of electromyogram responses were identified as pre-trauma predictors of PTSS. Low IQ and increased skin conductance were predictors of posttrauma psychophysiological reactivity. Heart rate reactivity to fear cues during conditioning, as well as post-traumatic psychophysiology, were also observed. There is limited research on predictors of PTSS before trauma. Both subjective and physiological PTSS were associated with low IQ, depression symptoms, and differential electromyogram responses during extinction. However, the study may underestimate actual predictive relationships due to low PTSS severity levelsAadil@gmail.comResearch822018Post-traumatic stress disorder, startle, imagery, psychophysiology, risk factorsDr. Aadil AshrafAssistant Professor, Department of General Medicine, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences & Hospital, Osudu, Pondicherry – 605502, India