TY - JOUR
T1 - Cognitive-Behavioral Correlates of Psychological Symptoms Among Relatives of Missing Persons
AU - Lenferink, Lonneke I.M.
AU - de Keijser, Jos
AU - Wessel, Ineke
AU - Boelen, Paul A.
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - The disappearance of significant others is associated with an increased risk of prolonged grief disorder (PGD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). Enhancing knowledge about cognitive-behavioral correlates of PGD, PTSD, and MDD may generate valuable information for developing interventions for relatives of missing persons. We aimed to examine whether prior findings, indicating that cognitive-behavioral variables are related to distress among bereaved individuals and generalize to relatives of missing persons. Relatives of missing persons (n = 134) completed self-report measures of negative cognitions, avoidance behaviors, PGD, PTSD, and MDD. Multilevel analysis was used. Cognitive-behavioral variables explained 40 to 60% of the additional variance in PGD, PTSD, and MDD levels over and above sociodemographic variables. Similar to bereaved individuals, relatives of missing persons who tend to engage in negative cognitions and avoidance behaviors are more likely to experience elevated psychopathology levels. Addressing cognitive-behavioral variables in treatment may be beneficial.
AB - The disappearance of significant others is associated with an increased risk of prolonged grief disorder (PGD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). Enhancing knowledge about cognitive-behavioral correlates of PGD, PTSD, and MDD may generate valuable information for developing interventions for relatives of missing persons. We aimed to examine whether prior findings, indicating that cognitive-behavioral variables are related to distress among bereaved individuals and generalize to relatives of missing persons. Relatives of missing persons (n = 134) completed self-report measures of negative cognitions, avoidance behaviors, PGD, PTSD, and MDD. Multilevel analysis was used. Cognitive-behavioral variables explained 40 to 60% of the additional variance in PGD, PTSD, and MDD levels over and above sociodemographic variables. Similar to bereaved individuals, relatives of missing persons who tend to engage in negative cognitions and avoidance behaviors are more likely to experience elevated psychopathology levels. Addressing cognitive-behavioral variables in treatment may be beneficial.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-85055019740&partnerID=MN8TOARS
U2 - 10.1007/s41811-018-0024-y
DO - 10.1007/s41811-018-0024-y
M3 - Article
SN - 1937-1209
VL - 11
SP - 311
EP - 324
JO - International Journal of Cognitive Therapy
JF - International Journal of Cognitive Therapy
ER -