Baltes, Jannika (2023) Cognitive Resilience in Trauma: Exploring the Impact of Mood and Tetris on Intrusion Development. Master thesis, Psychology.
|
Text
Revised Master Thesis Jannika Baltes.pdf Download (771kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Many people will experience a traumatic event during their lifetime which can lead to the experience of involuntary memories (intrusions). Several factors can influence the development of intrusions, including the mood one experiences during a traumatic experience. This study aimed to investigate whether present mood is associated with the frequency of intrusions after watching a trauma film. Furthermore, prior research suggests that performing a working memory task (Tetris) could decrease intrusion frequency due to the reallocation of cognitive resources from processing the event to performing the task. Thus, it was tested if the association between emotion and intrusion frequency would be influenced by performing Tetris after watching a trauma film. It was hypothesized that negative emotions would increase after watching a trauma film compared to before. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that there would be positive correlations between mood change and intrusion frequency measured in a diary and scores on the IMS intrusion subscale. Finally, it was hypothesized that there would be a difference between the Tetris condition and a control condition regarding the associations between mood change and the intrusion-based variables. To investigate this, the trauma film paradigm was used in a sample of undergraduates (n=153). A paired samples t-test revealed a statistically significant increase in negative mood after watching a trauma film. Spearman’s rank correlations showed a weak, statistically significant positive correlation between mood change and image-based diary intrusions and a weak, statistically significant positive correlation between mood change and IMS intrusions. Finally, Fisher’s Z-test was used to test whether there was a significant difference between conditions. regarding the association between mood change and diary intrusions and IMS scores. The correlation between mood change and image-based diary intrusions yielded a negative outcome, indicating that the strength of correlations is similar between conditions. The correlation between mood change and IMS scores yielded a statistically significant positive outcome, meaning the correlation is more robust in the Tetris condition compared to the control condition. The results indicate that emotions are likely a factor that does not substantially contribute to intrusion development and intrusion development is at least partly moderated by playing Tetris. Together, these findings contradict prior research regarding the influence of emotion and the effect playing Tetris has on intrusion development.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Wessel, J.P. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Psychology (CP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Jul 2023 12:33 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Jul 2023 12:33 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2614 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |