title: Changes in negative beliefs following three brief programs for facilitating recovery after assault.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examines whether changes in negative beliefs about oneself, others, and the world occur as a result of early intervention aimed at preventing the development of chronic PTSD and further explores whether changes in negative beliefs during early intervention mediate long-term changes in psychopathology and functioning.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety recent female assault survivors were randomized to 4-week early intervention programs: brief cognitive behavioral intervention, weekly assessment, or supportive counseling (SC). Changes in negative beliefs were examined from preintervention to postintervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Negative beliefs improved across interventions, with somewhat less benefit reported by participants receiving SC. As expected, before intervention more severe negative beliefs were associated with higher initial trauma reactions and these negative beliefs generally improved from preintervention to postintervention. Moreover, for the brief cognitive-behavioral intervention, changes in perceptions of self and one's safety mediated longer-term changes in trauma-related symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results highlight the potential importance of changes in negative beliefs in long-term adjustment of recent assault survivors.
authors: University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. zoellner@u.washington.edu
authors: Lori A
authors: LA
authors: Zoellner
authors: Norah C
authors: NC
authors: Feeny
authors: Afsoon
authors: A
authors: Eftekhari
authors: Edna B
authors: EB
authors: Foa
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003376:Counseling; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult