title: Post-traumatic stress disorder and illness perceptions over time following myocardial infarction and subarachnoid haemorrhage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and illness perceptions in people who suffered the acute medical trauma of a myocardial infarction (MI) or a subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The study tested hypotheses regarding changes in PTSD symptoms and illness perceptions over time, associations between PTSD and illness perceptions and cognitive predictors of PTSD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study employed a longitudinal design and measured the illness perceptions and PTSD symptoms of an MI group (N=17) and a SAH group (N=27). Data were collected within 2 weeks of admission (T1), 6 weeks after admission (T2) and 3 months after admission (T3). Statistical analysis was undertaken to examine associations between illness perceptions and PTSD and to examine cognitive predictors of PTSD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of PTSD within the total acute medical trauma sample was 16% at 2 weeks, 35% at 6 weeks and 16% at 3 months. Illness perception factors of identity, timeline (acute/chronic), consequences and emotional representation were strongly correlated with PTSD at all three time points. PTSD symptoms and illness perceptions were shown to have changed over time. The results also showed that several illness perception factors are significant predictors of PTSD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both PTSD symptoms and illness perceptions changed significantly over time following an MI or SAH. Illness perception factors are significant predictors of PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Medicine, Hope Hospital, Salford, UK. russell.sheldrick@srht.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sheldrick
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tarrier
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kincey
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors