title: Schematic integration of traumatic events.
abstract: Across multiple disciplines of psychology, one commonly used heuristic device, the schema, has often been called upon to illustrate the integration of an event. This paper is a critical examination of the literature on schemas and traumatic events. Three perspectives are identified: process-focused models, content-focused models, and construct-focused models. Process-focused models most clearly elucidate the change mechanisms and provide specific treatment implications in terms of exposure-based interventions. Content-focused models provide clinicians and researchers with hypothesized thematic conflicts that may need to be addressed in treatment. Construct-focused models and methodologies may provide a means by which researchers can represent and quantify the degree of conceptual integration of a traumatic event. The concepts of schema formation, activation, and modification are explored from each perspective. Implications for assessment and clinical interventions are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Center for Trauma Recovery, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Weinman Building, 8001 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63121, USA. dcason.ae90@gtalumni.org
authors.forename: Dana R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Cason
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Resick
authors.forename: Terri L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Weaver
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D018187:Personal Construct Theory; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*