Revenge after trauma: Theoretical outline

Abstract

Tis chapter focuses on revenge, a somewhat neglected psychological phenomenon ofen occurring in the context of embitterment that has been observed to be associated with traumatization and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Recent theoretical approaches to and research findings on revenge and its specific relationship to embitterment phenomena are summarized, and therapeutic implications are discussed. The main objective of the chapter is to present a theoretical process model predicting the development of feelings and thoughts of revenge afer traumatic experiences and their impact on the maintenance of posttraumatic symptoms. Based on a review of the psychological revenge literature, we identify potential emotional, cognitive and motivational mediators of the relationship between revenge and PTSD. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Vienna.