Linguistic predictors of trauma pathology and physical health

The present study examined how specific linguistic elements in trauma narratives were associated with post-treatment psychopathology and physical symptoms. We analysed the narratives of 28 female assault victims being treated for chronic PTSD. During exposure therapy, participants were asked to recount their assault 'as if it was happening now. These trauma narratives were videotaped, transcribed, and analysed using a linguistic coding program. In particular, narratives containing words about death and dying were associated with worse post-treatment functioning. This relationship could not be accounted for by assault-related characteristics. The focus on death and dying in the trauma narrative may reflect the concept of mental defeat, suggesting a possible target for intervention in cognitive-behavioural treatment of PTSD. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.