Memory and identity processes in ICD-11 complex posttraumatic stress disorder: Tests of a new theory

Philip Hyland; Marcus Broughill; Mark Shevlin; Chris R Brewin

doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2025.103055

Memory and identity processes in ICD-11 complex posttraumatic stress disorder: Tests of a new theory

Philip Hyland
, Marcus Broughill
, Mark Shevlin
, Chris R Brewin

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

44 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background
This study empirically tested several predictions arising from the Memory and Identity (M&I) Theory of ICD-11 Complex PTSD (CPTSD). Specifically, it examined the psychometric properties of two measures—the Experiences of Traumatic Memories Questionnaire (ETMQ) and the Trauma Identity Questionnaire (TIQ)—and tested relationships between different types of trauma exposure, disturbances in memory and identity, and CPTSD symptoms.
Methods
Data were collected from a non-probability based representative sample of the general adult population of the United Kingdom (N = 975), and latent variable modelling was used to test all hypotheses.
Results
Confirmatory factor analytic results provided support for the psychometric properties of the ETMQ and TIQ as measures of traumatic memories and negative identities. Multiple traumatization and interpersonal forms of trauma were associated with more disturbances in trauma memories and negative identities. Seven of the nine model-predicted associations between trauma memories, negative identities, and CPTSD symptoms were observed, including a link between a fragmented sense of self and emotional numbing.
Conclusions
Results support core elements of the M&I Theory, highlighting trauma memory and identity disturbances as key mechanisms in CPTSD.

Original language	English
Article number	103055
Pages (from-to)	1-7
Number of pages	7
Journal	Journal of Anxiety Disorders
Volume	114
Early online date	25 Jul 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2025.103055
Publication status	Published (in print/issue) - 31 Aug 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors

Data Availability Statement

Data will be made available on request.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Memory and Identity Theory
ICD-11
PTSD
Trauma
Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.janxdis.2025.103055

1-s2.0-S088761852500091X-mainFinal published version, 2.07 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Memory and identity processes in ICD-11 complex posttraumatic stress disorder: Tests of a new theory",

abstract = "Background This study empirically tested several predictions arising from the Memory and Identity (M\&I) Theory of ICD-11 Complex PTSD (CPTSD). Specifically, it examined the psychometric properties of two measures—the Experiences of Traumatic Memories Questionnaire (ETMQ) and the Trauma Identity Questionnaire (TIQ)—and tested relationships between different types of trauma exposure, disturbances in memory and identity, and CPTSD symptoms. Methods Data were collected from a non-probability based representative sample of the general adult population of the United Kingdom (N = 975), and latent variable modelling was used to test all hypotheses. Results Confirmatory factor analytic results provided support for the psychometric properties of the ETMQ and TIQ as measures of traumatic memories and negative identities. Multiple traumatization and interpersonal forms of trauma were associated with more disturbances in trauma memories and negative identities. Seven of the nine model-predicted associations between trauma memories, negative identities, and CPTSD symptoms were observed, including a link between a fragmented sense of self and emotional numbing. Conclusions Results support core elements of the M\&I Theory, highlighting trauma memory and identity disturbances as key mechanisms in CPTSD.",

keywords = "Memory and Identity Theory, ICD-11, PTSD, Trauma, Complex PTSD (CPTSD)",

author = "Philip Hyland and Marcus Broughill and Mark Shevlin and Brewin, \{Chris R\}",

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year = "2025",

month = aug,

day = "31",

doi = "10.1016/j.janxdis.2025.103055",

language = "English",

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T1 - Memory and identity processes in ICD-11 complex posttraumatic stress disorder: Tests of a new theory

AU - Hyland, Philip

AU - Broughill, Marcus

AU - Shevlin, Mark

AU - Brewin, Chris R

PY - 2025/8/31

Y1 - 2025/8/31

N2 - Background This study empirically tested several predictions arising from the Memory and Identity (M&I) Theory of ICD-11 Complex PTSD (CPTSD). Specifically, it examined the psychometric properties of two measures—the Experiences of Traumatic Memories Questionnaire (ETMQ) and the Trauma Identity Questionnaire (TIQ)—and tested relationships between different types of trauma exposure, disturbances in memory and identity, and CPTSD symptoms. Methods Data were collected from a non-probability based representative sample of the general adult population of the United Kingdom (N = 975), and latent variable modelling was used to test all hypotheses. Results Confirmatory factor analytic results provided support for the psychometric properties of the ETMQ and TIQ as measures of traumatic memories and negative identities. Multiple traumatization and interpersonal forms of trauma were associated with more disturbances in trauma memories and negative identities. Seven of the nine model-predicted associations between trauma memories, negative identities, and CPTSD symptoms were observed, including a link between a fragmented sense of self and emotional numbing. Conclusions Results support core elements of the M&I Theory, highlighting trauma memory and identity disturbances as key mechanisms in CPTSD.

AB - Background This study empirically tested several predictions arising from the Memory and Identity (M&I) Theory of ICD-11 Complex PTSD (CPTSD). Specifically, it examined the psychometric properties of two measures—the Experiences of Traumatic Memories Questionnaire (ETMQ) and the Trauma Identity Questionnaire (TIQ)—and tested relationships between different types of trauma exposure, disturbances in memory and identity, and CPTSD symptoms. Methods Data were collected from a non-probability based representative sample of the general adult population of the United Kingdom (N = 975), and latent variable modelling was used to test all hypotheses. Results Confirmatory factor analytic results provided support for the psychometric properties of the ETMQ and TIQ as measures of traumatic memories and negative identities. Multiple traumatization and interpersonal forms of trauma were associated with more disturbances in trauma memories and negative identities. Seven of the nine model-predicted associations between trauma memories, negative identities, and CPTSD symptoms were observed, including a link between a fragmented sense of self and emotional numbing. Conclusions Results support core elements of the M&I Theory, highlighting trauma memory and identity disturbances as key mechanisms in CPTSD.

KW - Memory and Identity Theory

KW - ICD-11

KW - PTSD

KW - Trauma

KW - Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

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U2 - 10.1016/j.janxdis.2025.103055

DO - 10.1016/j.janxdis.2025.103055

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SN - 0887-6185

VL - 114

SP - 1

EP - 7

JO - Journal of Anxiety Disorders

JF - Journal of Anxiety Disorders

M1 - 103055

ER -

Memory and identity processes in ICD-11 complex posttraumatic stress disorder: Tests of a new theory

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Data Availability Statement

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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