Rational Beliefs in Posttraumatic Stress Responses Dr Philip Hyland Philip.Hyland@ncirl.ie

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Research Areas REBT Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Quantitative Methods

REBT model of Psychopathology REBT model of Psychological Health Two REBT Models REBT model of Psychopathology REBT model of Psychological Health Preferences Non-Catastrophizing High Frustration Tolerance Acceptance Demandingness Catastrophizing Low Frustration Tolerance Depreciation

Trauma Cognitions Research focuses on the role of dysfunctional thinking in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Majority of CBT models of PTSD derive directly from the theoretical foundations of Beck’s Cognitive Therapy (e.g. Ehlers & Clark, 2000; Clark & Beck, 2010).

Trauma Cognitions Personal Beliefs and Reactions Scale (Resick, Schnicke, & Markway, 1991) Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (Foa, Ehlers, Clark, Tolin, & Orsillo, 1999) Posttraumatic Maladaptive Belief Scale (Vogt, Shipherd, & Resick, 2012) Comprehensive CBT models of PTSD should include different types of dysfunctional cognitions outlined in other CBT models.

Hyland, P. , Shevlin, M. , Adamson, G. , & Boduszek, D. (2014) Hyland, P., Shevlin, M., Adamson, G., & Boduszek, D. (2014). The organisation of irrational beliefs in posttraumatic stress symptomology: Testing the predictions of REBT theory using structural equation modelling. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 70, 48-59. doi: 10.1002/jclp.22009

REBT Research Good support for the REBT model of psychopathology in the context of psychological responses to trauma. Informative in identifying cognitive vulnerability factors for the development and/or maintenance of posttraumatic stress responses. Very little is known about the types of functional cognitions that may protect against the development of stress responses.

REBT Research What role can rational beliefs play in mitigating posttraumatic stress symptoms? Proposes both a model of psychopathology and a model of psychological health REBT is uniquely well placed to fill this gap in the scientific literature

Study 1

Study 1 REBT theory states that rational beliefs and irrational beliefs are not bipolar constructs. Possible to possess both rational and irrational beliefs! Can the presence of rational beliefs in one’s cognitive architecture positively moderate the negative effects of irrational beliefs on severity of posttraumatic stress?

Acceptance beliefs were directly related to lower levels of PTS Acceptance beliefs positively moderated the negative effects of Catastrophizing beliefs.

High levels of self-acceptance suppresses the deleterious effects of catastrophizing beliefs on PTS

Study 2 - A direct test of REBT’s model of psychological health

Study 2 1. Provided the first direct test of the validity of the REBT model of psychological health in the context of PTS responses. 2. Contributed important evidence regarding the types of functional cognitions that can mitigate PTS responses. 3. Provided the first test of the interrelations between the rational beliefs and their proposed direct and indirect effects on PTS responses.

Study 2 χ2 = 199.99, df = 94, p < .001; RMSEA = .06 (CI 90% = .05/.08); SRMR = .05; CFI = .93; TLI = .91 The model accounted for 76 % of variance in posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Study 2 Preference belief are a primary appraisal process. Non-catastrophizing, HFT, and self-acceptance beliefs are secondary appraisal processes.

Conclusion – Theory Robust evidence to support REBT theory in the context of psychological responses to trauma Support for the REBT model of psychopathology – role of irrational beliefs 3 studies by Hyland, Shevlin, Adamson, and Boduszek (2014) Support for the REBT model of psychological health – role of rational beliefs 2 studies

Conclusion – Therapy Therapists have a choice! Restructuring irrational beliefs is definitely a good idea Particularly self-downing beliefs

Conclusion – Therapy Very good idea to develop and strengthen rational beliefs as well! Particularly self-acceptance and HFT beliefs. Developing rational beliefs as a means to bolster the psychological immune system?

Thank you! Questions? Philip.Hyland@ncirl.ie