Cognitive Complexity and Construct Extremity in Social and Life Event Construing in Persons with Varied Trauma History Page: 2
View a full description of this thesis.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
threatening illness. Witnessed events include observing the serious injury or death of
another person due to violent assault, accident, war, or witnessing a dead body or body
parts. Learning about traumatic events experienced by others include violent assault,
serious accident or injury, unexpected death or illness of a family member or close
friend, and learning that one's child has a life-threatening illness. Symptoms of PTSD
may be more severe if the trauma is caused by another person (e.g., rape, torture). The
likelihood that one will develop PTSD increases as the intensity and physical proximity
to the traumatic event increase (DSM-IV-TR, 2000).
The most popular methods for examining PTSD include questionnaires and
structured interviews. These methods are both easy for participants to complete and
can provide valuable information on severity, duration, and recovery rates. Most
research studies involving PTSD utilize questionnaires and structured interviews as
means for gathering data. However, few research studies incorporate one alternative
method for assessment of PTSD: repertory grids (or "grids," Kelly, 1955).
Like questionnaires and interviews, the administration of grids is relatively easy
and provides valuable information about how individuals perceive their environment.
Grids are comprised of elements and constructs. Elements are representative of the
area under investigation (Fransella & Bannister, 1977). For example, if interpersonal
relationships are the focus of study, then elements might be people (e.g., mother,
father, etc.). Individuals completing a grid can be asked to provide personally relevant
examples of elements. For example, if elements are people, then the individual might be
asked to provide first names of people who fit the roles of "mother," "father," and so on.
The elements are then presented to participants in order to elicit constructs.2
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This thesis can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Thesis.
Shafenberg, Stacey. Cognitive Complexity and Construct Extremity in Social and Life Event Construing in Persons with Varied Trauma History, thesis, December 2006; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc5433/m1/6/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .