The importance of cognitive processing to adjustment in the 1st year following amputation

Objective: To describe depressive symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and posttraumatic growth at 6 and 12 months following amputation and to explore differences by demographic variables and cognitive processing of trauma. Participants: 83 adults with newly acquired limb loss. Setting: Two large metropolitan hospitals. Main Outcome Measures: The Patient Health Questionnaire depression module, PTSD Checklist, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Results: Significant depressive and PTSD symptoms were reported by 15%-25% of participants. Relatively low levels of posttraumatic growth were reported. Negative cognitive processing predicted depressive and PTSD symptoms at 6 months. Positive cognitive processing predicted posttraumatic growth at 12 months. Conclusion: Cognitive processing appears to be integral to positive and negative psychosocial outcomes following amputation and should be targeted by clinical interventions.