Negative beliefs about the self, self-blame, guilt, and shame have been consistently linked to emotional problems, such as posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, following trauma exposure. To expand understanding of the potential role of negative self-conscious cognitions and emotions in other forms of posttrauma maladjustments, such as maladaptive behaviors, the current study examined the associations between these cognitions and emotions with dissociation, alcohol use, and avoidant problem-solving. As a secondary goal, the influence of time since trauma exposure was considered given recent data suggesting that some posttraumatic responses require lengthier time following trauma to become salient. Multiple-group analysis was conducted in two groups of female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV): women whose IPV experiences occurred within 3 months prior to assessment (early posttrauma phase [EPP]; n = 67) and those whose experiences occurred 12 months or more prior to assessment (chronic posttrauma phase [CPP]; n = 145). The results suggested model invariance. Posttraumatic negative self-conscious cognitions and emotions were significantly correlated with dissociation (EPP group: β = .61, p < .001 and CPP group: β = .48, p < .001), alcohol use (EPP group: β = .31, p = .014 and CPP group: β = .30, p < .001), and avoidant problem-solving (EPP group: β = .58, p < .001 and CPP group: β = .56, p < .001). The findings highlight the importance of negative self-conscious cognitions and emotions in posttrauma maladjustment and support intervening in these domains shortly after trauma exposure.

Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) may experience mental health problems. Although some survivors access mental health resources to address these concerns, many discontinue prematurely. One model of health care utilization that has recently gained attention in the trauma literature is the behavioral model of health care utilization (BMHU). This model considers three groups of variables in predicting health care utilization: immutable predisposing variables (e.g., age), enabling resources (e.g., income), and measures of need (e.g., symptom severity). The current study tested the BMHU's ability to predict completion of a free, multisession mental health evaluation for female survivors of IPV (N = 214). Two models were tested, each assessing a separate need-based predictor: The first model assessed symptoms of depression and the second model assessed symptoms

Objective To examine negative cognitions underlying both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression following trauma. Method A mixed‐gender motor vehicle accident (N = 297, Mage = 43.49 years) sample and a female intimate partner violence (N = 242, Mage = 36.95 years) sample was cross‐sectionally studied at research clinics of two universities. Results When diagnostic groups (PTSD+/−, depression+/−) were studied, no significant interactions were noted for any of the three forms of negative cognitions (negative thoughts about the self, negative thoughts about the world, and self‐blame) in either sample. When continuous ratings of PTSD and depression were studied, the results showed that negative thoughts about the self were linked to both PTSD and depression. Conclusion Findings suggest that it may be beneficial to target negative thoughts about the self when treating PTSD and depression together.

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