Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Han Tran

Date

2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Frank Andrasik

Committee Member

Meghan McDevitt-Murphy

Committee Member

Cheri Levinson

Committee Member

Robert Cohen

Abstract

Specific PTSD symptoms, certain dysfunctional cognitions and emotions in particular, may be central to the PTSD and the PTSD/suicidal ideation comorbidity networks. The present study applied network analysis to identify 1) central symptoms in PTSD, and 2) bridging symptoms that may account for the comorbidity between PTSD and suicidal ideation. In both networks, the DSM-5 PTSD symptoms D2, D3, and D4 were disentangled, where the cognitions and emotions (negative thoughts about the self, self-blame, negative thoughts about the world, blaming others, anger, fear, shame, and guilt) within these symptoms were measured and analyzed as separate variables. Additionally, variables from the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide (perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, interpersonal hopelessness, fearlessness about death, and perceived tolerance of pain) were examined to illuminate potential complex interactions with specific PTSD symptoms that may give rise to suicidal ideation. In a sample of 262 veterans, a regularized partial correlation network for PTSD and one for the PTSD and suicidal ideation comorbidity were estimated. Negative thoughts about the self emerged as the central symptom in the PTSD network. In the comorbidity network, the PTSD symptom of blaming others had a direct association with suicidal ideation. Additionally, negative thoughts about the self, self-blame, anger, and reckless behavior were associated with perceived burdensomeness, which was associated with suicidal ideation. Findings suggest that specific PTSD symptoms are either directly associated with or potentially interactive with perceived burdensomeness in association with suicidal ideation. Findings also highlight the importance of disentangling the dysfunctional cognitions and emotions within D2, D3, and D4 in examining PTSD and the PTSD/suicidal ideation comorbidity.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest

Download

Share

COinS