Does Broadening One's Concept of Trauma Undermine Resilience?

• Published in: Psychological trauma 2022-04, Vol.14 (S1), p.S131-S139
• Main Authors: Jones, Payton J., McNally, Richard J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Distress; Female; Human; Male; Negative Emotions; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Resilience (Psychological); Trauma
• ISSN: 1942-9681; 1942-969X
• DOI: 10.1037/tra0001063

Objective: The term "trauma" seems to have expanded from a narrow usage (referring exclusively to extreme events such as rape and warfare) to a broad usage (encompassing almost any event that results in emotional distress). Today, individuals vary widely in the extent to which their personal "trauma concept" is relatively narrow or broad. In this study, we explore whether this variation is important to individuals' actual experience when facing a stressful event. Method: Participants were randomized to a set of "Narrow" or "Broad" belief induction tasks. They then watched a short film clip involving a mutilated corpse and completed self-report response measures. Days following the task, participants reported event-related symptoms. Results: Individuals with broader beliefs about trauma experienced more intense negative emotions and were more likely to report viewing the film clip as a personal trauma. Moreover, those who saw the film clip as a personal trauma reported more event-related distress (e.g., intrusions, nightmares) in the days after they watched it. We found limited support for causality, with the experimental manipulation showing a significant direct effect on personal trauma concepts but only indirect effects on other outcomes. Conclusion: Broader personal trauma concepts were related to increased vulnerability in a trauma film paradigm. While some evidence suggests causality, it remains possible that at least part of the effect is explained by a third variable causing both broad concepts and vulnerability (e.g., high trait anxiety). Clinical Impact StatementIndividual clinicians and patients may have very different ideas about the meaning of "trauma." Beliefs about trauma have also changed significantly over time, tending toward a broader view. Patients' beliefs about trauma may affect how future stressful events are interpreted, and clinicians can play a role in helping patients interpret events in a healthy manner. In this study, we find that broader concepts of trauma are related to increased vulnerability to stress. Clinicians should remain aware that expanding concepts of harm may be related to increasing vulnerability.