Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory Research Articles

Factor structure, measurement invariance, and psychometric properties of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) and its brief version (PTCI-9) in Chinese adolescents and adults.

The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) is a widely used self-report tool to assess negative posttraumatic cognitions about self, world, and self-blame, but the factor structure remains controversial. Recently, a brief version of the PTCI with nine items (PTCI-9) loading onto three factors has been developed, and an excellent model fit was obtained. In this study, we examined the psychometric properties of the PTCI and PTCI-9 in a large sample of trauma-exposed Chinese adolescents (n = 1,451; mean age = 13.67 years, SD = 1.24) and adults (n = 924; mean age = 39.6 years, SD = 5.43). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an acceptable model fit for the original PTCI but a better model fit for the PTCI-9. Furthermore, the configural, metric, and scalar invariances of the PTCI-9 were supported across age groups (adolescent and adult), gender (male and female), trauma exposure (direct and indirect), and types of traumatic events (interpersonal and noninterpersonal). The PTCI and PTCI-9 and their subscale scores showed adequate internal consistency reliability in adolescent and adult samples. The PTCI-9 also demonstrated good convergent validity, as demonstrated by statistically significant correlations with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction. Overall, the present study supports the Chinese PTCI and PTCI-9 as valid measures of negative cognitions in both adolescents and adults and makes meaningful comparisons of negative cognitions across gender, trauma exposure, and types of traumatic events. Notably, as a brief and valid tool, the PTCI-9 is suggested to be used in survey and longitudinal studies for adolescents and adults. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

What to think or how to think – is symptom reduction in posttraumatic symptomatology associated with change in posttraumatic cognitions or perseverative thinking? A latent change score model approach

Objective Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) report changes in what they think of the world and themselves, referred to as posttraumatic cognitions, and changes in how they think, reflected in increased perseverative thinking. We investigated whether pre–post therapy changes in the two aspects of thinking were associated with pre–post therapy changes in posttraumatic symptom severity. Method 219 d clinic patients with posttraumatic stress symptoms received trauma-focused psychotherapy with cognitive behavioral and metacognitive elements. The posttraumatic cognitions inventory (PTCI), the perseverative thinking questionnaire (PTQ), and the Davidson trauma scale (DTS) were applied at two occasions, pre- and post-therapy. Using latent change score models, we investigated whether change in PTCI and change in PTQ were associated with change in DTS and its subscales. We then compared the predictive value of PTQ and PTCI in joint models. Results When jointly modeled, change in overall DTS score was associated with change in both PTCI and PTQ. Concerning DTS subscales, reexperiencing and avoidance were significantly associated with change in PTCI, but not in PTQ. Conclusion Results indicate that both aspects of cognition may be valuable targets of psychotherapy. A focus on posttraumatic cognitions might be called for in patients with severe reexperiencing and avoidance.

Evaluation of the Situations of Coping With Mental Trauma and Trauma in Emergency Service Personnel Who Medically Intervened to Earthquake Affected People in the 2020 Izmir Earthquake.

This study aimed to evaluate the mental trauma and coping status of emergency health care workers who responded to the earthquake affected people in the October 2020 Izmir earthquake. This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Posttraumatic Cognition Inventory, Strategies for Coping with Earthquake Stress Scale (SCESS), and Post-earthquake Trauma Level Determination Scale (PETLDS) were used. Independent t-test, analysis of variance, Tukey's test, and Pearson's correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was accepted as P ≤ 0.05. A total of 113 health-care professionals participated in the study. There is a positive and high degree of correlation between the religious coping sub-dimension of the SCESS and the PETLDS (P < 0.001). There was a moderate positive correlation between the religious coping sub-dimension of the SCESS and the state anxiety (P < 0.001) and trait anxiety (P < 0.001) subscales of the STAI. In our study, mental trauma and post-traumatic coping levels of health-care workers who were exposed to earthquakes differed according to age, gender, and educational status. We found that post-earthquake trauma levels were directly related to state and trait anxiety levels and religious coping levels. We found that, after the earthquake, social support seeking behavior, state and trait anxiety levels increased; negative cognitions about self, negative cognitions about the world, and self-blame increased.Practice implications: This study draws attention to the evaluation of emergency health workers who work at the forefront of disasters in terms of subsyndromal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is recommended to make plans for psychologically protective and preventive interventions for health-care workers especially after disasters.

Supplemental Material for Factor Structure, Measurement Invariance, and Psychometric Properties of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) and Its Brief Version (PTCI-9) in Chinese Adolescents and Adults

Supplemental Material for Factor Structure, Measurement Invariance, and Psychometric Properties of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) and Its Brief Version (PTCI-9) in Chinese Adolescents and Adults

Treatment of multiple traumatized adolescents by enhancing regulation skills and reducing trauma related symptoms: rationale, study design, and methods of randomized controlled trial (the Mars-study)

BackgroundThere is ongoing debate regarding the treatment of severe and multiple traumatized children and adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many clinicians favor a phase-based treatment approach (i.e., a stabilization phase prior to trauma-focused therapy) over immediate trauma-focused psychological treatment, despite the lack of scientific evidence. Research on the effects of different treatment approaches is needed for children and adolescents with (symptoms of complex) PTSD resulting from repeated sexual and/or physical abuse during childhood.ObjectiveThis paper describes the rationale, study design, and methods of the MARS-study, a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) that aims to compare the results of phase-based treatment with those of immediate trauma-focused treatment and determine whether immediate trauma-focused treatment is not worse than phase-based treatment in reducing PTSD symptoms.MethodsParticipants are individuals between 12 and 18 years who meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD due to repeated sexual abuse, physical abuse, or domestic violence during childhood. Participants will be blindly allocated to either the phase-based or immediate trauma-focused treatment condition. In the phase-based treatment condition, participants receive 12 sessions of the Dutch version of Skill Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR-A), followed by 12 sessions of EMDR therapy. In the immediate trauma-focused condition, the participants receive 12 sessions of EMDR therapy. The two groups are compared for several outcome variables before treatment, mid-treatment (only in the phase-based treatment condition), after 12 trauma-focused treatment sessions (post-treatment), and six months post-treatment (follow-up). The main parameter is the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Children and Adolescents, CAPS-CA). The secondary outcome variables are the severity of complex PTSD symptoms (Interpersonal Problems as measured by the Experiences in Close Relationship-Revised, ECR-RC; Emotion Regulation as measured by the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, DERS; Self Esteem as measured by the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, RSES), changes in anxiety and mood symptoms (Revised Anxiety and Depression Scale; RCADS), changes in posttraumatic cognitions (Child Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory, CPTCI), changes in general psychopathology symptoms (Child Behavior Checklist, CBCL), and Quality of Life (Youth Outcome Questionnaire, Y-OQ-30). Furthermore, parental stress (Opvoedingsvragenlijst, OBVL) and patient-therapist relationship (Feedback Informed Treatment, FIT) will be measured, whereas PTSD symptoms will be monitored in each session during both treatment conditions (Children’s Revised Impact of Event Scale, CRIES-13).DiscussionTreating (symptoms of complex) PTSD in children and adolescents with a history of repeated sexual and/or physical abuse during childhood is of great importance. However, there is a lack of consensus among trauma experts regarding the optimal treatment approach. The results of the current study may have important implications for selecting effective treatment options for clinicians working with children and adolescents who experience the effects of exposure to multiple interpersonal traumatic events during childhood.Trial registrationsThe study was registered on the “National Trial Register (NTR)” with the number NTR7024. This registry was obtained from the International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP) and can be accessed through the ICTRP Search Portal (https://trialsearch.who.int/).

Heightened threat perceptions and reduced stability in anxiety and fear among U.S. adults who carry handguns

Firearm carrying is often motivated to provide safety and is correlated with increased anxiety related to elevated perceptions of the world as a dangerous place. No studies have investigated affective states among firearm owners as they occur in their natural environments. This study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine cognitive-affective states among firearm owners who carry handguns outside their home (n = 35), firearm owners who do not carry (n = 47), and non-firearm owners (n = 62). Participants completed a self-report questionnaire at baseline followed by EMA surveys of mood state with the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) 6 times per day for 28 consecutive days. Carry handgun owners reported significantly higher threat perceptions, measured with the negative cognitions about the world subscale of the shortened Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI), than no-carry handgun owners (Mdiff=2.0, 95% CI=0.8–2.0, d=0.45, p = .001) and non-owners (Mdiff=1.8, 95% CI=0.6–2.9, d=0.42, p = .003). Groups did not significantly differ in mean momentary mood ratings assessed via EMA but stability in high-arousal negative arousal was significantly reduced among carry handgun owners (F(2, 150)= 3.7, p = .026). Results suggest firearm owners who carry handguns view the world as especially dangerous, are more likely to experience shifts in anxiety and fear, and take longer to recover from periods of elevated anxiety and fear.

Efficacy of a brief web-based tonic immobility psychoeducation intervention among trauma-exposed adults: A randomized clinical trial.

Tonic immobility (TI) is a defensive response that may occur during traumatic events. Although TI is adaptive in certain circumstances, it has been shown to contribute to increased trauma-related symptoms and poorer recovery. However, current frontline treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have not focused significant attention on the experience of TI. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop and test the impact of a brief TI-focused psychoeducation (TIP) intervention on posttraumatic cognitions and PTSD symptoms relative to a health education control intervention. The sample included 46 adults with elevated PTSD symptoms who endorsed prior TI episodes. After providing informed consent, participants were randomly assigned to either the active or control intervention and completed self-report questionnaires including the tonic immobility questionnaire (TIQ-R), Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5), Posttraumatic Stress Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) at baseline, 1-week, and 1-month follow-up assessments. Results from linear mixed effects models indicated that participants in the TIP conditionreported significantly larger reductions in posttraumatic cognitions and PTSD symptoms at 1-week, ds = 0.48 and 0.84, respectively, and 1-month, ds = 0.67 and 0.74. The findings suggest that TIP is a promising intervention that may be used to reduce posttraumatic cognitions and PTSD symptoms associated with TI. Given the ease of access, TIP could be used as a standalone intervention or as an add-on to existing evidence-based treatments for PTSD.

Appraisals of Social Trauma and Their Role in the Development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder.

Cognitive theories of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) feature appraisal of trauma as a critical factor in the development and maintenance of the disorder. Here we explored appraisals of social trauma (severe rejection or humiliation). Participants were outpatients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) and clinically significant PTSD symptoms (PTSS) after social trauma (n = 15); two clinical control groups of either SAD (n = 32) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; n = 13); and a control group with no diagnoses (n = 38). Measures included a clinical interview to assess social trauma and related open-ended appraisals and the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI). Raters blind to group assignment performed content analyses of appraisals. Results showed that the PTSS group scored significantly higher than either clinical group on the PTCI SELF subscale. Only the SELF subscale predicted a diagnosis of both PTSS and SAD. All but one PTSS participant reported primarily negative beliefs about their social trauma, and the most common categories were flawed self and others are critical or cruel. Post-traumatic appraisals implicated in the course of PTSD are significant in how individuals respond to social trauma, with negative self-cognitions linked to both PTSS and SAD.

Post-Traumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI): psychometric properties in clients with serious mental illness and co-occurring PTSD.

People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exhibit negative cognitions, predictive of PTSD severity. The Post-Traumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) is a widely used instrument measuring trauma-related cognitions and beliefs with three subscales: negative thoughts of self (SELF), negative cognitions about the world (WORLD), and self-blame (BLAME). The current study attempted to validate the use of the PTCI in people with serious mental illness (SMI), who have greater exposure to trauma and elevated rates of PTSD, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and examining convergent and divergent correlations with relevant constructs. Participants were 432 individuals with SMI and co-occurring PTSD diagnosis based on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, who completed PTCI and other clinical ratings. CFAs provided adequate support for Foa's three-factor model (SELF, WORLD, BLAME), and adequate support for Sexton's four-factor model that also included a COPE subscale. Both models achieved measurement invariance at configural, metric and scalar levels for three diagnostic groups: schizophrenia, bipolar and major depression, as well as for ethnicity (White vs Black), and gender (male vs female). Validity of both models was supported by significant correlations between PTCI subscales, and self-reported and clinician assessed PTSD symptoms and associated symptoms. Findings provide support for the psychometric properties of the PTCI and the conceptualization of Sexton's four-factor and Foa's three-factor models of PTCI among individuals diagnosed with SMI (Foa et al., ).

Integrating Spirituality and Religious Beliefs in a Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD with Latinx Unaccompanied Immigrant Children

Purpose: Unaccompanied immigrant children (UIC) experience significant mental health concerns, particularly posttraumatic stress. This is a vulnerable population, yet little systematic research has examined the effectiveness of evidence-based models such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to meet their needs. Integrating religious beliefs and spirituality into therapy could elucidate better understandings of traumatic stress, and posttraumatic cognitions when working with UIC with strong faith traditions/beliefs. Methods: We report on modifications made to a pre-existing treatment, consisting of integrating religious and spiritual themes, to engage and work with UIC participants in a pilot study of Mindfulness-Based CBT. Thematic analysis of therapy notes evaluated the implementation process for integrating religious and spiritual themes. Three composite vignettes illustrate how religiosity and spirituality were salient for UIC participants in this pilot study, and how these were integrated into therapy to address posttraumatic cognitions and symptoms. We assessed changes in PTSD symptom severity and posttraumatic cognitions for UIC and in comparison, to non-UIC participants using the Child PTSD Symptom Scale and the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory. Results: Religiosity and spirituality were important for coping and conceptualizations of trauma, served as facilitators for engaging UIC in therapy, and related to improving posttraumatic cognitions and symptoms. Conclusion: Religious identity and spirituality can be important for meaning making, trauma cognitions and symptoms, and can be important to explore in therapy with unaccompanied immigrant children and adolescents. Clinical Trial Registration: Not applicable.

Changes in trauma-related cognitions predict subsequent symptom improvement during prolonged exposure in patients with childhood abuse-related PTSD

Change in negative posttraumatic cognitions is a proposed mechanism through which Prolonged Exposure (PE) leads to symptom reduction of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A strong case for posttraumatic cognitions as a change mechanism in PTSD treatment can be made by establishing temporal precedence of change in cognitions. The current study examines the temporal relationship between change in posttraumatic cognitions and PTSD symptoms during PE, using the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory. Patients with DSM-5 defined PTSD following childhood abuse (N = 83) received a maximum of 14–16 sessions of PE. Clinician-rated PTSD symptom severity and posttraumatic cognitions were assessed at baseline, week 4, 8, and 16 (post-treatment). Using time-lagged mixed effect regression models, we found that posttraumatic cognitions predicted subsequent PTSD symptom improvement. Notably, when using the items of an abbreviated version of the PTCI (PTCI-9), we found a mutual relationship between posttraumatic cognitions and PTSD symptom improvement. Crucially, the effect of change in cognitions on PTSD symptom change was greater than the reverse effect. The current findings corroborate change in posttraumatic cognitions as a change process during PE, but cognitions and symptoms cannot be completely separated. The PTCI-9 is a short instrument that appears suitable to track cognitive change over time.

The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI): Psychometric evaluation in veteran men and women with trauma exposure.

The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) is a self-report measure of negative posttraumatic cognitions, which is an important construct in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Evidence for the most appropriate PTCI item and factor structure is mixed, and this measure has not been extensively studied in veterans. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the PTCI in two national samples of veteran men and women. Participants in Sample 1 (veterans from all service eras) and Sample 2 (recently separated veterans) completed the PTCI and additional measures of mental health symptoms. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a brief version of the PTCI (PTCI-9; 3-factor, nine-item) was a superior fit relative to other examined factor structures. Consistent with the original conceptualization of the measure, these factors were labeled: Negative cognitions about self, negative cognitions about the world, and self-blame. Scores on the PTCI-9 were differentially associated with the PTSD symptom clusters and with scores on self-report measures of external comorbidities. PTCI-9 scores were higher among individuals with trauma exposure and with a probable PTSD diagnosis. There was evidence of full (Sample 1) and partial (Sample 2) scalar invariance across men and women. Overall, the present study supports the use of the PTCI-9 as a measure of negative cognitions; however, scores may not be specific to PTSD and may represent a global negative thinking style. Even so, the PTCI-9 appears to be a suitable and abbreviated measure that could be used with veterans in research and clinical practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

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 that the relationship between multiple traumatic experiences and PTSD symptom severity is mediated through dysfunctional general cognitions and dysfunctional situation-specific expectations. General trauma-related cognitions were assessed with the Posttraumatic Cognition Inventory (PTCI) and trauma-related situational expectations were assessed with the Posttraumatic Expectations Scale (PTES). Results: The direct effect of the number of traumatic events on PTSD symptom severity was non-significant. Instead, as hypothesised, there was evidence for a significant indirect effect via dysfunctional general cognitions and situation-specific expectations. Conclusions: The current results further specify the cognitive model of PTSD by indicating that the relationship between the number of traumatic events and PTSD symptom severity is mediated through dysfunctional cognitions and expectations. These findings emphasise the importance of focused cognitive treatment approaches that seek to modify dysfunctional cognitions and expectations in people with multiple traumatic experiences.

The Impact of Information About COVID-19 on the Endocrine Stress System and Cognitive Distortions.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is one of the major health concerns worldwide affecting not only human physical health but also contributing to the development of many mental disorders including impairment of the cognitive function. It is highly conceivable that elevation of the stress hormones, i.e., glucocorticoids and catecholamines, due to the infection, as well as the presence of psychosocial stressors, such as COVID-19 information, play a critical role in the development of these disorders. In the present study, the potential impact of exposure to COVID-19 information on the cognitive distortion and stress levels was analyzed in a population of 32 first-year medical sciences students using the stress assessment questionnaire (SAQ) and the posttraumatic cognitions inventory (PTCI) surveys. Both surveys demonstrated no acute change in the stress and post-traumatic cognition levels between medical sciences students who were either exposed or not to information about COVID-19. Interestingly, analysis of the stress and cognition points across the first and second measurements of the SAQ categories revealed a significant change in the control group but not in the experimental group. In addition, there was no significant difference among groups when considering the time*group factor. To conclude, we found that exposure to information about COVID-19 did not contribute acutely to cognitive distortion and stress levels among participating students. The previous exposure to COVID-19-related information from media and living during the COVID-19 pandemic era might have enhanced the awareness of the students to the situation.

Psychometric Properties of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory-9 items in an Iranian sample.

The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory is a largely used measure to assess negative posttraumatic cognitions that are common among individuals with trauma-related disorders. There was a need to have a valid and reliable short form of it in Persian. This study aimed to translate the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory-9 item (PTCI-9) into Persian, and evaluate its characteristics and psychometric properties. This was a cross-sectional psychometric study using the translation and back-translation technique, experts assessed the content validity of the scale. Participants were 207 Iranian individuals recruited from the general population and 151 of them were trauma-exposed. Participants completed the Persian version of the PTCI-9, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and the WHO Quality of Life (WHO-QOL) scale. The psychometric properties of the Persian version of PTCI-9 were assessed using Exploration and Confirmatory factor analysis methods. Cronbach's α coefficient and Pearson's analysis were calculated, as well. Factor analyses supported a 3-factor model including the Self, World, and Self-blame subscales. The Cronbach's alpha of the Persian version of PTCI-9 (α=0.74) and its subscales (0.76, 0.82, 0.78) demonstrated its acceptable reliability. The Persian PTCI-9 also had strong test-retest reliability (r=0.79). The correlation between the Persian version of PTCI-9 and the BDI-II (r=0.60), and WHO-QOL (r=-0.54) indicated the convergent validity of the scale. The Persian version of PTCI-9 showed acceptable psychometric properties. It is a brief and pragmatic measure that can be used in Iranian trauma-exposed patients for research and clinical purposes.

Supplemental Material for The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI): Psychometric Evaluation in Veteran Men and Women With Trauma Exposure

Supplemental Material for The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI): Psychometric Evaluation in Veteran Men and Women With Trauma Exposure

Implications of cognitive‐oriented language within posttrauma nightmare narratives

AbstractWhile rescription‐based therapies are effective treatments for chronic post‐trauma nightmares, mechanisms of change have not yet been defined. We examined the relationship between the use of cognitive‐related words in nightmare narratives and the posttraumatic cognitions inventory (PTCI) in a sample of 25 trauma‐exposed individuals undergoing rescription therapy for post‐trauma nightmares. In addition to exploring the relationship between different types of cognitive language use and PTCI scores, the relationship between changes in their frequency of use and post‐trauma cognitions were also analyzed. We found that cognitive language use as a whole in addition to the subcategories of tentative, discrepancy, and insight words within the nightmare are significantly negatively related to baseline PTCI scores, while analytic language use was positively correlated. However, cognitive language use in the rescription did not relate to PTCI scores post‐treatment. Furthermore, changes in the of use cognitive language, between the nightmare and the rescription, are significantly negatively associated with severity of posttraumatic cognitions at the post‐assessment. These results demonstrate the importance of understanding cognitive language in nightmare imagery as it may relay important information about treatment outcomes.

Impact of Dialectical Behavior Therapy Prolonged Exposure protocol on trauma-related symptoms in Egyptian women with Borderline Personality Disorder

IntroductionAlthough around 50% of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) suffer from trauma-related disorders, literature lacks a specific treatment for these serious co-occurring problems. Dialectical Behavior Therapy Prolonged Exposure (DBT PE) is a recent protocol developed by Melanie Harned, integrating (PE) into standard (DBT). The protocol has showed promising results in treating comorbid PTSD in BPD patients. The current study, however, was the first trial to apply DBT PE protocol in Egypt.ObjectivesTo investigate the efficacy of (DBT PE) protocol in reducing trauma-related symptoms (psychological trauma symptoms and trauma-related cognitions) among Egyptian women with BPD.MethodsSixteen women diagnosed with BPD and trauma-related symptoms, were recruited from “DBT clinic”, a private outpatient clinic in Alexandria, Egypt and randomly divided into equivalent (Therapeutic &amp; Control) groups. The therapeutic group received DBT PE protocol while the control group received Treatment as usual (TAU). Participants were assessed pre and post-intervention using: The short version of the Borderline Symptom list, The Trauma Symptom Checklist-40, and The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory. The therapeutic group started treatment with standard comprehensive DBT concurrently with DBT PE protocol (14 individual sessions, 120 minutes/ week), according to readiness criteria suggested by the treatment developer.ResultsPatients who received DBT PE protocol showed significantly lower degrees of psychological trauma symptoms and trauma-related cognitions compared to patients in control group.ConclusionsDespite being applied for the first time in Egypt, DBT PE protocol proved to be an effective intervention in reducing trauma-related symptoms in a sample of Egyptian BPD patients without any need to modify the original protocol.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Assessing Dysfunctional Expectations in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Development and Validation of the Posttraumatic Expectations Scale (PTES).

Dysfunctional expectations are a particularly important subset of cognitions that influence the development and maintenance of various mental disorders. This study aimed to develop and validate a scale to assess dysfunctional expectations in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the "Posttraumatic Expectations Scale" (PTES). In a cross-sectional study, 70 PTSD patients completed the PTES, the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI), as well as measures of the severity of symptoms of PTSD and depression. The results show that the PTES has excellent internal consistency and correlates significantly with the PTCI and PTSD symptom severity. A regression analysis revealed that the PTES explained variance of PTSD symptom severity above the PTCI, supporting the incremental validity of the PTES. While the original version of the PTES comprises 81 items, short scales were constructed using the BISCUIT (best items scales that are cross-validated, unit-weighted, informative and transparent) method. The current findings provide preliminary psychometric evidence suggesting that the PTES is an internally consistent and valid novel self-report measure in patients with PTSD. However, conclusions about the psychometric properties of the PTES are limited because of the absence of criterion-related validity, factor structure evidence, variability over time/response to intervention, and test-retest reliability. Future research should use the PTES in large-scale longitudinal studies to address these aspects to further validate the scale.

Negative Posttraumatic Cognitions in 4- to 8-year-old Children following Maltreatment.

PurposeResearch has shown that children and adolescents suffering from posttraumatic stress often have negative posttraumatic cognitions such as negative appraisals of the trauma sequel that increase mental health problems. However, little is known about posttraumatic cognitions in young children. The aim of this study was to investigate negative posttraumatic cognitions in 4- to 8-year-old children following maltreatment. We also examined their association with child age and well-being as well as caregiver psychopathology.MethodsThe study includes N = 112 caregiver-child dyads with children’s mean age of M = 6.2 (SD = 1.1) years. Children had experienced physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, sexual victimization, and/or domestic violence prior to participation. Posttraumatic cognitions were assessed using a short child interview including four items adapted from the Child Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (CPTCI; Meiser‐Stedman et al in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 50(4), 432–440, 2009).ResultsCompletion of the interview about posttraumatic cognitions was independent from child’s age. Higher levels of negative posttraumatic cognitions were significantly associated with a higher cumulative maltreatment score (r = .35) and higher scores of posttraumatic stress symptoms (r = .39). There was no significant correlation with parent variables.ConclusionThese findings indicate that posttraumatic cognitions might be an important diagnostic and treatment target for 4- to 8-year-old children.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40653-022-00455-4.