Metacognitive beliefs of posttraumatic stress disorder patients

Abstract

Objective: The concept of metacognition can be described as metacognitive structures controlling, arranging and assessing the cognitions. The aim of this study was to investigate metacognitive beliefs and their relationship with the psychological symptoms of posttrumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients. Method: The sample consisted of 52 posttraumatic stress disorder patients (mean age=31,67 +/- 6,54) and 54 healthy participants (mean age=29,00 +/- 6,61). Metacognitive beliefs were measured through Metacognitive Questionnaire-30 which is accepted as a measuring device of metacognitive beliefs, metacognitive processes and judgment. To describe symptom profiles Symtom Checklist-90 was used. Results: Data were analyzed by using MANCOVA. PTSD group scores were significantly higher than control group for uncontrallability and danger (includes items that worry and rumination are negative, dangerous and difficult to control); need to control thoughts (includes items that some thoughts are need to be controlled and suppressed) and finally lack of "cognitive confidence" (includes items about problems related to memory and attention). On the other hand, positive beliefs about thoughts which involves the items related to the idea that worry and rumination is functional was lower among individuals with PTSD. Discussion: Trauma patients think that worry and rumination have negative consequences, and some thoughts need to be controlled and supressed as they are dangerous. The elevation of clinical symptoms such as obsession, depression and psychotic symptoms were correlated with the increase of abnormal metacognitive belifs. Thoughts are dangerous and need to be controlled, appear to be related to obsesive thoughts, anger and hostility and interpersonal sensitivity sypmtoms.