Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
05:03
Social Threat-Safety Test Uncovers Psychosocial Stress-Related Phenotypes
Published on: December 15, 2023
A case-control study examining the relationship between social cognition and post-traumatic stress disorder
Chantelle E Wiseman1, Andrew D Lawrence2,3, Jonathan I Bisson4
1Department of Population Health Sciences, https://ror.org/0524sp257University of Bristol, UK.
Bjpsych Open
|June 4, 2026
Summary
Difficulties in mentalising, the ability to understand others' mental states, are linked to trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These social cognition impairments may be crucial for predicting PTSD risk and aiding recovery.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Social cognition, especially mentalising, is hypothesized to influence trauma and PTSD risk and recovery.
- A comprehensive understanding of social cognitive deficits in PTSD is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between variations in social cognition and the presence of trauma and PTSD.
- To explore the role of mentalising in the context of trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 98 participants with PTSD symptoms and 99 controls.
- Administered a battery of social cognition tasks (emotion recognition, social attribution, mentalisation) and measures of trauma, PTSD, and verbal IQ.
- Employed logistic regression analyses, adjusted for covariates, to examine relationships.
Main Results:
- Hypomentalisation correlated with trauma exposure and increased odds of PTSD symptoms.
- Hypermentalising (indicated by increased use of mentalising language) was also associated with higher odds of PTSD symptoms.
- Findings suggest a significant link between mentalising abilities and PTSD severity.
Conclusions:
- Mentalising difficulties are associated with PTSD symptoms.
- Mentalising capacity may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting PTSD risk.
- Further research into mentalising could inform PTSD prevention and intervention strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Cognition and Behavior
Social psychology examines the complex interplay between individual mental processes and social interactions. Historically, the field was divided into two domains: social behavior and social cognition. Researchers focusing on social behavior analyzed actions within social contexts, such as conformity, aggression, or cooperation. Meanwhile, social cognition researchers investigated how people perceive, interpret, and mentally represent their social environments. However, modern perspectives no...
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be interpreted as...
01:30Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality
Social cognitive perspectives on personality emphasize the importance of conscious awareness, beliefs, expectations, and goals in shaping behavior. These perspectives incorporate behaviorist principles, such as learning through reinforcement and conditioning, but extend beyond them by highlighting human reasoning and planning. Unlike traditional behaviorist views, social cognitive theory focuses on how individuals reflect on their past experiences and plan for future outcomes by considering...
01:15Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes
Cognitive processes affect social behavior by guiding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli. These mental processes enable individuals to assess others' behaviors, attribute causes to their actions, and form expectations based on past experiences.Causes of Behavior and Social JudgmentsIndividuals determine the causes of others' behaviors by distinguishing between personal traits and external circumstances. For example, if a friend frequently arrives late, an...
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.