Abstract
Background and Objectives: Psychological studies in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have implicated negative appraisal in its development and maintenance. However, whether or not the same results apply in the Japanese population is unclear. We examined here the predictive value of negative appraisal after a traumatic event for subsequent severity of PTSD symptoms in Japan. Methods: We examined whether negative appraisal in the early posttraumatic phase predicts the development of PTSD in a cohort of motor vehicle accident (MVA) survivors (n=88). Negative appraisal at 1 month post-MVA was assessed using the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory, and PTSD diagnosis was evaluated at 6 months post-MVA using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale. PTSD symptoms at 6 months post-MVA was used as the dependent variable in logistic regression analysis. Results: After controlling for confounding variables, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that negative appraisal at 1 month post-MVA was a predictor of PTSD symptoms at 6 months post-MVA (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.99; p=.011). Conclusion: This finding suggests that negative appraisal in the early posttraumatic phase is a risk factor for PTSD following MVA. As negative appraisal following a traumatic experience is reversible, modifying negative appraisal early may prevent chronic and persistent PTSD.
