Psychological Therapies: Emotional Processing

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in trauma-exposed college students: The role of trauma-related cognitions, gender, and negative affect

“…Several theories underscore the role that cognitive variables play in the development and maintenance of PTSD (Ehlers & Clark, 2000; Epstien, 1991;Foa & Cahill, 2001;Foa & Jaycox, 1999;Foa & Riggs, 1993;Foa & Rothbaum, 1998;Horowitz, 1986;Janoff-Bulman, 1992;McCann & Pearlman, 1990;Resick & Schnicke, 1992). Utilizing the framework of emotional processing theory (Foa & Kozak, 1986), Foa and colleagues have emphasized the role of cognitions about the self and the world in natural recovery from trauma, the development of Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jason S. Moser, Department of Psychology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.…”

“…Lifetime prevalence rates for PTSD range from 1% to 12.3% (Breslau, Davis, Andreski, & Peterson, 1991;Davidson, Hughes, Blazer, & George, 1991;Kessler et al, 1995;Resnick et al, 1993) and current rates of PTSD range from .4% to .9% (Andrews et al, 2001;Perkonigg et al, 2000). PTSD tends to have a chronic course, with as many as 40% continuing to exhibit significant symptoms of the disorder 10 years after its onset (Kessler et al, 1995).Several theories underscore the role that cognitive variables play in the development and maintenance of PTSD (Ehlers & Clark, 2000; Epstien, 1991;Foa & Cahill, 2001;Foa & Jaycox, 1999;Foa & Riggs, 1993;Foa & Rothbaum, 1998;Horowitz, 1986;Janoff-Bulman, 1992;McCann & Pearlman, 1990;Resick & Schnicke, 1992). Utilizing the framework of emotional processing theory (Foa & Kozak, 1986), Foa and colleagues have emphasized the role of cognitions about the self and the world in natural recovery from trauma, the development of Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jason S. Moser, Department of Psychology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.…”

“…PTSD, and the CBT processes that ameliorate PTSD symptoms severity. The theory is rooted in information processing models of memory and psychopathology and posits a central role of a so-called "fear structure/network" containing interconnected representations of feared stimuli, fear responses, and their meanings (see Foa &Cahill, 2001 for reviews). …”

“…Specifically, a traumatic event can lead to PTSD if it either: 1) disconfirms a rigid perceptions that the world is completely safe and that the self is completely competent or 2) confirms pre-existing perceptions that the world is completely dangerous and the self is completely incompetent. Foa and Cahill (2001) suggested that following a trauma, survivors typically adopt negative perceptions about the self and world; however, for most of them, these perceptions are disconfirmed through their daily interactions where they are not retraumatized and function well. On the other hand, Foa and Cahill (2001) suggested that trauma survivors who limit their daily experiences by avoiding thoughts, stimuli, and activities related to the trauma fail to receive information that disconfirms the negative posttraumatic cognitions, thus fostering the development of chronic PTSD (cf.…”

“…Foa and Cahill (2001) suggested that following a trauma, survivors typically adopt negative perceptions about the self and world; however, for most of them, these perceptions are disconfirmed through their daily interactions where they are not retraumatized and function well. On the other hand, Foa and Cahill (2001) suggested that trauma survivors who limit their daily experiences by avoiding thoughts, stimuli, and activities related to the trauma fail to receive information that disconfirms the negative posttraumatic cognitions, thus fostering the development of chronic PTSD (cf. Cahill & Foa, 2006;Foa & Rothbaum, 1998).…”