The relationship between multiple traumatic events and the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms - evidence for a cognitive link.

ABSTRACT: Background: Previous research has shown that multiple traumatic experiences cumulatively increase the risk for the development of severe symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet, little is known about the specific psychological mechanism through which this increased risk comes about.Objective: In the present study, we examined a possible cognitive link between multiple traumatic events and PTSD symptom severity through dysfunctional cognitions and expectations.Methods: A sample of patients with a diagnosed PTSD (N = 70; M_Age= 42.06; 82% female) and high symptom burden (IES-R M = 79.24) was examined. On average, patients had experienced 5.31 different traumatic events. In a structural equation model, we tested the hypothesis

SUBMITTER: Kube T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9879173 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature