Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Yazdan Naderi ¹
• Alireza Moradi ²
• Fateme Ramezanzade ³
• Maedeh Vaghefinezhad ⁴

¹ Ph.D. Student of Psychology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Research Center Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari

² Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Kharazmi, Sina Trauma and Surgery

³ MSc. of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences University of Kharazmi

⁴ . MSc. of Psychology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Research Center Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari.

Abstract

It seems PTSD patients have difficulty in emotion regulation strategies and deal with difficult emotions.Emotional schema model as an integrated model may explain some of these features. The purpose of this study is scrutiny of emotional schema in PTSD patient. This research consisted of three groups; PTSD, non-PTSD and (normal) non-trauma. These three groups matched in gender and age variables. Assessment tools consisted of Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I disorder (DSM-IV (SCID-I)،  BDI-II, BAI, Leahy Emotional Schema Scale (LESS), Impact of Event Questionnaire (IES-R). Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA analysis and independent sample t-test. Results showed that participants with PTSD in comparison to other groups reported significantly elevated scores in maladaptive ESs (rumination, guilt, uncontrollable, blame) and lower scores in adaptive ESs (emotional self-awareness, acceptance, consensus, and comprehensibility). Also, PTSD group demonstrates significant elevated scores in BDI-II and BAI. These results highlight the clinical importance of targeting and reducing the use of ineffective emotional schema within the context of PTSD treatment, in addition to providing alternative adaptive emotional schemas.

Keywords

• Emotional Schemas (ESs)
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)