A longitudinal assessment of cognitive schemas in women with posttraumatic stress disorder related to childhood abuse

Hyemee Han, Fordham University

Abstract

This study examined the impact of childhood abuse experiences on schemas about the self and the world in women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Schemas were conceptualized both in terms of degree of valence, and rigidity. It was hypothesized that greater negative schemas as well as more rigid schemas would be associated with greater psychiatric symptomatology, and severity of trauma. Findings indicated that beliefs about self-worth were significantly correlated with non-PTSD symptom measures, and the treatment group exhibited less rigid schemas about the benevolence of the world compared to the control group. Implications of the findings are discussed with respect to the limitations of the Assumptive World theory, and directions for future research.

Subject Area

Psychotherapy

Recommended Citation

Han, Hyemee, "A longitudinal assessment of cognitive schemas in women with posttraumatic stress disorder related to childhood abuse" (2004). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI3125015.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI3125015

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