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Posttraumatic Mental Contamination and the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide: Effects via DSM-5 PTSD Symptom Clusters

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Abstract

Research has yet to establish a relationship between posttraumatic mental contamination and suicide risk, despite theoretical overlap. The present study examined relationships between posttraumatic mental contamination and suicide risk via posttraumatic stress symptom clusters and appraisals of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Trauma-exposed participants (N = 183) completed measures of posttraumatic mental contamination, posttraumatic stress symptoms, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and suicide risk. Findings revealed significant indirect effects of posttraumatic mental contamination on suicide risk via all posttraumatic stress symptom clusters. Significant serial indirect effects of posttraumatic mental contamination on suicide risk were observed via posttraumatic avoidance and arousal/reactivity and, subsequently, via thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. Serial models via posttraumatic re-experiencing and negative cognitions/mood symptoms were nonsignificant. Results suggest that posttraumatic mental contamination may increase suicide risk via posttraumatic stress symptom severity, and maladaptive interpersonal appraisals may explain these links through distinct symptom pathways. Implications for posttraumatic suicide risk are discussed.

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Funding

Dr. Adams receives support from Grant Numbers K23 MH111977 and L30 MH111037 through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as an International Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF) research award. Dr. Badour receives support from Grant Number K12 DA14040 through the Office of Women’s Health Research and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at NIH. Caitlyn Hood also receives support from T32 DA035200 through NIDA at NIH. This publication’s contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIH or IOCDF.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Kastle Hall 111-J, 171 Funkhouser Dr., Lexington, KY, 40506-0044, USA

    C. Alex Brake, Caitlyn O. Hood & Christal L. Badour

  2. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

    Thomas G. Adams

  3. Clinical Neuroscience Division of the VA National Center for PTSD, West Haven, CT, USA

    Thomas G. Adams

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  1. C. Alex Brake
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  2. Thomas G. Adams
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  4. Christal L. Badour
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Correspondence to C. Alex Brake.

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C. Alex Brake, Thomas G. Adams, Caitlyn O. Hood, and Christal L. Badour declare they have no conflict of interest.

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Informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the present study.

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Brake, C.A., Adams, T.G., Hood, C.O. et al. Posttraumatic Mental Contamination and the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide: Effects via DSM-5 PTSD Symptom Clusters. Cogn Ther Res 43, 259–271 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-018-9959-9

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