Date Approved
6-25-2010
Date Posted
11-18-2010
Degree Type
Open Access Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department or School
Psychology
Committee Member
Dean Lauterbach, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Ellen Koch, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Norman Gordon, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Lisa Lauterbach, Ph.D.
Abstract
This study evaluated the current DSM-IV conceptualization of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It examined predictors (i.e., event, person, and cognitive characteristics) and the factor structure of PTSD symptoms for events that do and do not meet criterion A. Event, person, and cognitive variables included in this study explained 47% of the variance in PTSD symptoms for the criterion A group and 56% of the variance in PTSD symptoms for the noncriterion A group. In both groups, cognitive variables explained the majority of variance in PTSD symptom severity. Although predictors of PTSD symptoms varied for criterion A and non-qualifying events, the factor structure was similar, suggesting that trauma responses to nonqualifying events may look very similar to trauma responses to criterion A events. This study suggests that a reevaluation of the diagnostic criteria for PTSD is warranted.
Recommended Citation
Reiland, Sarah, "Predictors of PTSD symptoms for criterion A and non-criterion A events" (2010). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 289.
https://commons.emich.edu/theses/289