Mediator role of cognitive distortions in the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and peritraumatic stress levels

Background: There are many studies showing the relationships between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), peritraumatic stress, and cognitive distortions. However, there is a very limited number of studies focusing on the relationship between PTSD and cognitive distortions in children and adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between PTSD symptoms and peritraumatic stress levels in adolescents who experienced the 6 February Turkey earthquakes and the mediator role of cognitive distortions in this relationship. Methods: The study sample consisted of 261 adolescents with a mean age of 15.51 +/- 1.07. The Child Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (CPTSD-RI), the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI), and the Cognitive Distortion Scale (CDS) were administered to the participants. Results: It was determined that there was a positive relationship between the peritraumatic stress levels and PTSD symptoms of the participants, and their peritraumatic stress levels significantly and positively predicted their PTSD symptoms and cognitive distortions. According to the results of the regression analyses, the self-perception, self-blame, helplessness, hopelessness, and perceiving life as dangerous dimensions of cognitive distortions and total CDS scores of the participants had partial mediator roles in the relationship between their peritraumatic stress levels and PTSD symptoms. Limitations: Participants' PTSD symptoms were assessed using self-report scales. Pre-traumatic factors were not questioned. Conclusion: Our results showed that the peritraumatic stress levels of adolescents who survived the 6 February Turkey earthquakes predicted their PTSD symptom levels, and their cognitive distortions played a mediator role in the relationship between their peritraumatic stress levels and PTSD symptoms. Implications and contribution: In psychological and psychiatric assessments of adolescents living in earthquake zones, peritraumatic stress levels should be kept in mind as a significant factor that can pose a risk in terms of PTSD. Furthermore, it is believed that cognitive distortions that can be causally related to PTSD should be taken into account in the treatment of PTSD.