ing outside because of fear of coming into contact with a dog). 
Risk and Prognostic Factors
Temperamental. Risk factors include prior mental diso rder, high levels of negative af-
fectivity (neuroticism), greater perceived seve rity of the traumatic event, and an avoidant
coping style. Catastrophic appraisals of th e traumatic experience, often characterized by
exaggerated appraisals of future harm, guilt, or hopelessness, are strongly predictive of
acute stress disorder. 
Environmental. First and foremost, an individual must  be exposed to a traumatic event to
be at risk for acute stress disorder. Risk fact ors for the disorder include a history of prior
trauma.