Thesis Defense Announcement

College of Arts and Sciences announces the Final Thesis Defense of

Rimsha Majeed

for the Degree of Master of Science

March 29, 2019 at 10:00 AM in Psychology Building, Room 448 A

Advisor: J. Gayle Beck

Role of negative cognitions in PTSD and depression

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to look at common cognitive factors that maintain PTSD and depression in a sample of women who had experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). For this purpose, a path analysis was conducted to study the simultaneous associations of negative thoughts about the self, negative thoughts about the world, and self-blame with continuous ratings of PTSD and depression. The results showed a significant association of negative thoughts about the self with PTSD and depression. The results showed a significant association of negative thoughts about the world with PTSD but not depression. No significant associations were seen for self-blame with either PTSD or depression. The findings suggest that negative thoughts about the self are a common maintaining factor for PTSD and depression. It may benefit to address these thoughts when working with survivors of IPV. Future studies should assess the role of other cognitive predictors that may be common for both PTSD and depression.