Anger and Guilt in Treatment for Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Anger and guilt are associated with PTSD and depression (e.g., Novaco & Chemtob, 2002; Henning & Freuh, 1997). Yet, little work has investigated how anger, guilt, PTSD and depression relate in baseline psychopathology, treatment engagement, and outcome. The present study utilized baseline, in-session, and posttreatment data from two hundred trauma survivors with PTSD. The first aim examined the association between PTSD and anger and guilt at baseline and found depression to mediate the relationship between specific PTSD symptoms and guilt. The second aim investigated whether anger and guilt were negatively correlated with engagement. Lastly, aim three examined anger and guilt as predictors of worse treatment outcome and engagement as a mediator of treatment outcome. Results indicated that anger and guilt did not hinder emotional engagement and did not impede effective PTSD treatment. Anger and guilt decreased as a result of PTSD treatment implying tolerability and broad applicability of prolonged exposure.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Clifton, Erin G.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Feeny, Norah

• Psychology
• PTSD treatment
• anger
• guilt
• emotional engagement

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1347196179

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:case1347196179