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Do Negative Changes in Worldview Mediate Links Between Mass Trauma and Reckless Behavior? A Longitudinal Exploratory Study

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Abstract

Trauma exposure heightens the risk of reckless behavior and is now included in DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology. Individuals exposed to trauma may be likely to engage in reckless behavior because of negative changes in their worldview (referred to as disrupted worldview). The current study investigates the relationship between DSM-IV posttraumatic stress symptoms, disrupted worldview, and increased reckless behavior among 1145 students exposed to mass violence. Total posttraumatic stress symptomatology was associated with increased and persistent reckless behavior, supporting DSM-5 diagnostic inclusion. Although posttraumatic stress symptomatology predicted reckless behavior among those with varying levels of posttraumatic symptomatology, individuals with high symptomatology reported significantly higher recklessness. Disrupted worldview mediated the relationship between posttraumatic symptomatology and reckless behavior among individuals with high symptomatology, while only partially mediating the relationship among those with low symptomatology. These findings provide support for worldview disruptions as a mechanism by which prolonged reckless behavior may be manifested.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Christopher M. Layne, Melissa Brymer, John A. Fairbank, Ronald C. Kessler, Robert S. Pynoos. Andrew J. Smith, and Alan M. Steinberg.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Mailing Code 0436, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    Claire E. Blevins, Michael F. Wusik, Connor P. Sullivan & Russell T. Jones

  2. Department of Sociology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    Michael Hughes

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  1. Claire E. Blevins
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  2. Michael F. Wusik
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  3. Connor P. Sullivan
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  4. Russell T. Jones
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  5. Michael Hughes
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Correspondence to Claire E. Blevins.

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Blevins, C.E., Wusik, M.F., Sullivan, C.P. et al. Do Negative Changes in Worldview Mediate Links Between Mass Trauma and Reckless Behavior? A Longitudinal Exploratory Study. Community Ment Health J 52, 10–17 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9906-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9906-0

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