Journal article
The relationship of peritraumatic distress and dissociation with beliefs about memory following natural disasters
Australian Psychologist, Vol.54(4), pp.311-321
2019
Abstract
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 LawJanet D Carter (Author) - University of Canterbury, New ZealandBen R Lane (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and LawPeter 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
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Psychology; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Centre; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems; Engage Research Lab
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450648502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
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- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychology, Multidisciplinary
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