Embitterment-from the perspective of justice psychology

Abstract

Posttraumatic Embitterment Disorder (PTED) is a subclass of adjustment disorders (Linden et al. 2008) characterized by prolonged and disabling embitterment reactions in the afermath of negative life events. PTED is triggered by exceptional, though normal, negative life events such as unemployment or divorce that are typically experienced as unjust and unfair, but that are not life threatening or anxiety provoking. The core pathogenetic mechanism is thus the violation of basic beliefs (Linden et al. 2008). © 2011 Springer-Verlag Vienna.