Posttraumatic embitterment disorder (PTED) is a reactive disorder characterized by prolonged feelings of embitterment and various psychological/behavioral symptoms following unjust or unfair life events. PTED symptoms tend to be chronic and highly com...
Posttraumatic embitterment disorder (PTED) is a reactive disorder characterized by prolonged feelings of embitterment and various psychological/behavioral symptoms following unjust or unfair life events. PTED symptoms tend to be chronic and highly comorbid with other mental disorders. The purpose of this study was to identify core symptoms of PTED and bridge symptoms that are linked to comorbid disorders such as depression, Hwa-byung and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of PTED, depression, Hwa-byung, and PTSD were assessed in 455 community adults, and strength and bridge centrality were estimated to identify core and bridge symptoms. Results of network analysis indicated that difficulty of experiencing normal mood and feeling of sullen and unhappy were core symptoms of PTED. The strongest bridge nodes between PTED and depressive symptoms were symptoms of feeling of sullen and unhappy, worthlessness, depressed or sad mood, and suicide thought. In the PTED and Hwa-byung network, self-blame and shame emerged as bridge symptoms. Avoiding certain places or persons, worthlessness, painful memory and feeling distant from other people were identified as bridge symptoms between PTED and PTSD. The findings of the study suggest that psychological intervention focusing on core and bridge symptoms would be helpful in reducing PTED symptoms as well as preventing comorbidity.