Maladaptive Post-traumatic Cognitions in Interpersonally Traumatized Adolescents with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: An Analysis of “Stuck-Points”

This study investigated maladaptive post-traumatic cognitions, so-called “stuck-points”, from forty-three adolescent survivors of interpersonal traumatization. Thematic content and relationships between stuck-points and trauma characteristics as well as symptom severity were analyzed. Guilt, esteem and trust were the most frequently named themes. Physical abuse was related to stuck-points in the categories trust and control, sexual abuse was related to the categories safety and guilt. Penetration, female sex, an older age at trauma onset and a closer relationship to the perpetrator were related to the category guilt. Injuries through physical violence were related to the category trust. Physical violence and a longer duration of the index trauma were related to a higher number of stuck-points overall. Last, a higher number of stuck-points in the category trust was related to higher post-traumatic stress disorder symptom severity. Therapists should pay attention to these different themes in order to provide the best possible treatment for each patient individually.