Illness Crisis & Loss· 2026Q2
How do Clinicians Conceptualise Negative Self-Concept in Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)?
- 1citations
- Q2SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Clinicians conceptualize negative self-concept (NSC) in Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) as persistent feelings of self-blame, shame, guilt, and worthlessness, often shaped by early childhood attachments and systemic responses to trauma.
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Key points
- Clinicians describe negative self-concept (NSC) in CPTSD as persistent negative beliefs about the self.
- Core components of NSC include feelings of self-blame, shame, guilt, and worthlessness.
- Early childhood attachments and systemic responses to trauma are identified as key shapers of NSC.
- Self-compassion, the therapeutic relationship, and social re-integration are facilitators for healing NSC.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Abstract Negative self-concept (NSC) is one of the core ‘disturbances in self-organisation’ (DSO) symptoms of CPTSD. It is characterised by persistent negative beliefs about the self and is common in traumatised populations who have endured crises such as childhood sexual abuse survivors, refugee groups, and military veterans. However, there is limited research on how NSC is conceptualised and managed in CPTSD and other related disorders. This qualitative study explores how clinicians conceptualise NSC in these populations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 clinicians (clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists) and data was analysed using thematic analysis. Clinicians described NSC as involving a persistent negative view encompassing feelings of self-blame, shame, guilt, and worthlessness. Early childhood attachments and systemic responses following traumatic experiences were identified as influential in shaping self-concept. Facilitators to healing included self-compassion, the therapeutic relationship and social re-integration. These findings aim to offer insights for clinicians supporting traumatised populations.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Illness Crisis & Loss, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Clinical Psychology
Clinical PsychologyPsychology