Research article summary (published 30 May 2003):

Posttraumatic stress disorder following assault: the role of cognitive processing, trauma memory, and appraisals.

Full Abstract

Two studies of assault victims examined the roles of (a) disorganized trauma memories in the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), (b) peritraumatic cognitive processing in the development of problematic memories and PTSD, and (c) ongoing dissociation and negative appraisals of memories in maintaining symptomatology. In the cross-sectional study (n = 81), comparisons of current, past, and no-PTSD groups suggested that peritraumatic cognitive processing is related to the development of disorganized memories and PTSD. Ongoing dissociation and negative appraisals served to maintain PTSD symptoms. The prospective study (n = 73) replicated these findings longitudinally. Cognitive and memory assessments completed within 12-weeks postassault predicted 6-month symptoms. Assault severity measures explained 22% of symptom variance; measures of cognitive processing, memory disorganization, and appraisals increased prediction accuracy to 71%.

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Author information

Author/s: Halligan, Sarah L (SL); Michael, Tanja (T); Clark, David M (DM); Ehlers, Anke (A);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, England. s.l.halligan(-atsign-)reading.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of consulting and clinical psychology (J Consult Clin Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Jun; vol 71 (issue 3) : pp 419-31

Dates: Created 2003/06/10; Completed 2003/07/08; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12795567, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Cognition Female Follow-Up Studies Humans Male

Memory Prospective Studies Questionnaires Retrospective Studies Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - etiology Violence - psychology

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