Could Betrayal be a Potential Trauma? Examining Risk Factors and Psychopathological Model of Betrayal-Related Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms
Date Issued
2014
Date
2014
Author(s)
Liu, Ting-Yu
Abstract
Background: Betrayal by a trusted individual is highly distressing and may cause symptoms similar to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Given that the issue has theoretical and clinical importance but lacks sufficient data, it is crucial to investigate the risk factors and psychopathological model of betrayal-related PTSD. Among the possible risk factors, catastrophic betrayals, like potentially traumatic events, tends to shatter one’s fundamental assumptions of safety, control, trust, and justice in the self and the world. This may further lead to negative beliefs pertaining to the self and the world, resulting in prominent PTSD symptomatology. Certain maladaptive coping strategies may prevent the negative beliefs from being corrected, so as to maintain PTSD symptomatology. Accordingly, we proposed a psychopathological model of betrayal-related PTSD, in which the interplay of appraisal of betrayal, dysfunctional cognitions, and maladaptive cognitive strategies contribute to the development of betrayal-related PTSD. The aim of the study is threefold: (1) to develop a subjective betrayal appraisal scale; (2) to investigate risk factors for betrayal-related PTSD and examine whether betrayal could result in PTSD symptomatology; and (3) to examine the proposed psychopathological model of betrayal-related PTSD by using a prospective design. Method: The pilot study surveyed 63 college students’ knowledge and conceptualization of betrayal. Study 1, using a cross-sectional design, surveyed 267 young adults who reported to have been betrayed. They were instructed to provide a narrative of the most distressing betrayal experience in their lifetime, as well as to elaborate the nature and appraisals of the relationship and betrayal. Dysfunctional cognitions, maladaptive cognitive strategies, and PTSD symptoms pertinent to the betrayal were assessed. The Study 2, using a prospective design, surveyed 107 young adults who completed baseline and 6-week follow-up assessment. Results: (1) The self-developed Trust-Betrayal Inventory demonstrates a good internal consistency and an acceptable test-retest reliability. (2) Approximately one-fifth (17.2%) of the sample met the criteria for current probable PTSD. (3) Relationship change, peri-betrayal negative emotions, current anger/revenge responses, perceived betrayal severity, betrayal appraisal, and post-betrayal cognitive factors were significantly associated with both acute (first months since betrayal) and current PTSD symptoms. Moreover, post-betrayal cognitive factors significantly mediated the relationship between betrayal appraisal and PTSD. (4) Path analysis indicated a good fit for the proposed psychopathological model. Conclusion: Our study provides preliminary evidence that betrayal might be viewed as a potential traumatic event that may cause PTSD. Subjectively-rated betrayal and post-betrayal cognitive factors were shown to be the crucial risk factors of betrayal-related PTSD. Moreover, the proposed psychopathological model for post-betrayal PTSD was supported. The clinical implications of the findings and future directions are discussed.
Subjects
背叛
創傷後壓力疾患
失功能認知
反芻
思考壓抑
人際關係
Type
thesis
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