Citation

Beck JG, Coffey SF, Palyo SA, Gudmundsdottir B, Miller LM, Colder CR. Psychol. Assess. 2004; 16(3): 289-298.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo-State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA. jgbeck@buffalo.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/1040-3590.16.3.289

PMID

15456384

PMCID

PMC1360225

Abstract

This study examined the factor structure, internal consistency, concurrent validity, discriminant validity, and discriminative validity of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI; E. B. Foa, A. Ehlers, D. M. Clark, D. F. Tolin, and S. M. Orsillo, 1999) in a sample of 112 individuals who had experienced a serious motor vehicle accident. Results generally supported the 3-factor structure of the PTCI: (a) Negative Cognitions About Self, (b) Negative Cognitions About the World, and (c) Self-Blame. Subscales reflecting negative thoughts of the self and world showed adequate internal consistency, as well as good concurrent, discriminant, and discriminative validity. However, difficulties with the subscale representing self-blame emerged, specifically poor concurrent and discriminant validity. Potential reasons for this finding are discussed. The PTCI seems to be a promising measure of negative and dysfunctional posttrauma cognitions, which deserves continuing attention.

Language: en