A cross-sectional examination of candidate psychological factors associated with Post-Psychotic PTSD & Research Portfolio

Introduction: Experiencing schizophrenia can be sufficiently distressing to precipitate Post-psychotic PTSD (PP-PTSD). Understanding about PP-PTSD has developed without reference to contemporary trauma theory. A conceptual framework informed by Ehlers & Clark (2000) is used to determine if PP-PTSD was associated with a sense of serious current threat and negative appraisals of psychosis. Methods: This study recruited 27 individuals with schizophrenia. Associations that PP-PTSD caseness had with fear of recurrence, intolerance of uncertainty, beliefs about paranoia and interpretations about hallucinatory voices were investigated. Links with psychiatric symptoms were also assessed. Results: The prevalence rate of PP-PTSD was 37%. PP-PTSD caseness was associated with being fearful about psychosis recurring, being intolerant of uncertainty, and making negative appraisals about paranoia. Fear of recurrence was the only significant predictor of PP-PTSD caseness. Conclusions: PP-PTSD appears to be largely consistent with a conceptual framework for persistent PTSD. Fear of recurrence was identified as a candidate psychological factor for PP-PTSD.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

DClinPsy

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Glasgow

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• White, Ross

• BF Psychology

Language dc:language

en