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Investigating the association between pretraumatic and peritraumatic factors and posttraumatic cognitions in first
Fan Zhang1, Xin Ji2, Xiaofei Mao1
1Lab for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Faculty of Psychology, Naval Medical University.
Objective:
According to the cognitive model of PTSD, negative posttraumatic cognitions (NPCs) are closely related to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). First responders are considered a high-risk population for PTSD; however, NPC in this group has yet to be thoroughly investigated. The present study examined pretraumatic and peritraumatic variables in first responders and to explore the associations between NPC and these variables.
Method:
This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 1,442 first responders. Ten machine learning regression models were developed to predict NPC using pretraumatic and peritraumatic variables as predictors. The relative importance of predictors was assessed based on the inherently interpretable algorithm of the optimal model.
Results:
Peritraumatic dissociation and symptom-focused rumination were the most relevant factors of NPC; NPC was a statistical mediator in the association between various pretraumatic/peritraumatic factors and PTSD.
Conclusions:
This study provided evidence consistent with the cognitive model of PTSD and suggested that attention should be paid to first responders with peritraumatic dissociation and symptom-focused rumination to prevent the development of NPC and PTSD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
