Cognitive mediation of the relationship between different traumatic and non-traumatic stressors and posttraumatic stress disorder
Abstract
Although different types of traumatic experiences have been associated with different rates of posttraumatic appraisals and relative risk of PTSD, the role of such appraisals in the relationship between trauma category and PTSD symptomatology has not been evaluated. Additionally, the role of these appraisals in the relationship between non-traumatic stressors and PTSD symptom severity has not been considered. Undergraduate and community participants completed a battery of self-report measures including a traumatic stressor inventory, a non-traumatic stressor inventory, a PTSD symptom checklist, and questionnaires regarding several areas of posttraumatic appraisals. Each area of appraisals considered was found to partially mediate the relationship between trauma category and PTSD symptom severity. Experience of a non-traumatic stressor was not associated with differences in PSTD symptom severity or in posttraumatic appraisals. Consequently, mediation of such a relationship could not be established. Thus, posttraumatic appraisals appear to partially explain differences in PTSD following different types of traumatic stressors. This is the first study to comprehensively identify idiosyncratic patterns of appraisals following different types of traumatic events, as well as assess the relationships between these patterns and PTSD symptomatology.
Subject Area
Clinical psychology
Recommended Citation
Weiner, Elliot, "Cognitive mediation of the relationship between different traumatic and non-traumatic stressors and posttraumatic stress disorder" (2012). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI3560204.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI3560204
