The relationship of peritraumatic distress and dissociation with beliefs about memory following natural disasters

Lee Kannis-Dymand; Janet D Carter; Ben R Lane; Peter Innes

doi:10.1111/ap.12377

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The relationship of peritraumatic distress and dissociation with beliefs about memory following natural disasters

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The relationship of peritraumatic distress and dissociation with beliefs about memory following natural disasters

Lee Kannis-Dymand, Janet D Carter, Ben R Lane and Peter Innes

Australian Psychologist, Vol.54(4), pp.311-321

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12377

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Abstract

beliefs about memory

metacognitions

natural disasters

peritraumaticdissociation

peritraumatic distress

posttraumatic stress disorder

UniSC Diversity Area - Disability and Inclusion

Objective: Metacognitive models posit that beliefs about thoughts and memories influence the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following traumatic events. This study examined the relationship of beliefs about memory with peritraumatic experiences in the development of PTSD symptoms following the Canterbury earthquakes and Queensland floods. Method: A convenience sample of individuals affected by these disasters (N = 662) was given questionnaires measuring peritraumatic distress and dissociation, beliefs about memory, and PTSD symptoms. Results: The results showed that individuals with a high level of peritraumatic distress and dissociation or high level of positive or negative beliefs about memory reported increased PTSD symptoms compared to those with a low level of the respective variable. Furthermore, peritraumatic distress and dissociation interacted with negative beliefs about memory. The difference in PTSD symptoms for those with a high compared to low level of peritraumatic distress and dissociation was elevated when individuals also reported a high level of negative beliefs about memory. This difference was diminished for individuals who reported a low level of negative beliefs about memory. Conclusions: These findings suggest that beliefs about memory may moderate the effects of peritraumatic distress and dissociation on PTSD symptoms following a natural disaster. Given that metacognitive beliefs are a modifiable risk factor, future research is warranted to consider their potential causal effects on PTSD outcomes, particularly for individuals with severe peritraumatic experiences.

Details

Title: The relationship of peritraumatic distress and dissociation with beliefs about memory following natural disasters
Authors: Lee Kannis-Dymand (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Janet D Carter (Author) - University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Ben R Lane (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Peter Innes (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
Publication details: Australian Psychologist, Vol.54(4), pp.311-321
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Date published: 2019
DOI: 10.1111/ap.12377
ISSN: 0005-0067
Organisation Unit: Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Engage Research Lab; School of Health - Psychology; School of Law and Society; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450648502621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychology, Multidisciplinary

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