Posttraumatic Cognitions as a Potential Mechanism of the Association of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity and Alcohol Use Among Survivors of Military Sexual Assault.

This article examines the role of posttraumatic cognitions (PTCs)—negative beliefs about the self and world following trauma—in mediating the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and alcohol use among U.S. military sexual assault (MSA) survivors, with a focus on differences by biological sex. Using data from 400 MSA survivors (50% male), the study found that PTCs significantly mediated the association between PTSD severity and alcohol use in males but not females, with males showing a stronger link between PTSD symptoms and PTCs. These findings suggest that interventions targeting maladaptive cognitions may be particularly beneficial for reducing alcohol use in male MSA survivors, while mechanisms influencing alcohol use in females require further investigation. The study highlights the importance of considering sex differences in trauma-related cognitive processes and their impact on alcohol use within military populations.