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Gepubliceerd in: Cognitive Therapy and Research 1/2019

05-07-2018 | Original Article

Decreasing Event Centrality in Undergraduates Using Cognitive Bias Modification of Appraisals

Auteurs: Mirjam Vermeulen, Adam D. Brown, Filip Raes, Julie Krans

Gepubliceerd in: Cognitive Therapy and Research | Uitgave 1/2019

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Abstract

Event centrality refers to the extent to which a personal event in autobiographical memory serves as a reference point for other experiences, as a turning point in the life-story, and is integrated into components of personal identity. Research has shown that event centrality is positively related to symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, limited research is available on the causal relation between event centrality and PTSD symptoms. We examined this causal link in a series of experiments. A pilot test showed that, out of four manipulations, only a cognitive bias modification training of appraisal (CBM-App) decreased event centrality in participants with high event centrality scores. Next, we tested whether the CBM-App training influenced event centrality and PTSD symptoms in a new sample. Participants in the CBM-App condition reported reduced event centrality compared to participants in a non-centrality control condition. No changes in PTSD symptoms were found. The link between event centrality and PTSD symptoms was mediated by posttraumatic cognitions and rumination. Together, these studies suggest that CBM-App training can lower appraisals of event centrality of a distressing autobiographical memory. Long-term effects on PTSD symptoms will need to be tested in future research.
Voetnoten
1
We are aware that Berntsen and Rubin (2006, 2007) do not use the word ‘appraisal’ to describe event centrality concepts, however, we want to clarify that the theory of event centrality refers to appraisal-like processes, and that the word ‘appraisal’ is not solely related to posttraumatic cognitions and the trauma theory of Ehlers and Clark (2000).
 
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Metagegevens
Titel
Decreasing Event Centrality in Undergraduates Using Cognitive Bias Modification of Appraisals
Auteurs
Mirjam Vermeulen
Adam D. Brown
Filip Raes
Julie Krans
Publicatiedatum
05-07-2018
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Cognitive Therapy and Research / Uitgave 1/2019
Print ISSN: 0147-5916
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2819
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-018-9936-3

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