Perceived Stress, Rumination, and Self-Control in Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Aim of the Study: To examine relationships among perceived stress, rumination, and self-control in adults receiving hospital-based care for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Pakistan and explore demographic differences in these constructs.

Methodology: A cross-sectional correlational design was used. Purposive sampling recruited 120 adults aged 20–60 years, comprising 59 men and 61 women, from inpatient and outpatient hospital services. Urdu-translated versions of the Perceived Stress Scale, Ruminative Responses Scale, and Brief Self-Control Scale were administered. Descriptive statistics, internal consistency estimates, Pearson correlations, and independent-samples t tests were calculated.

Findings: Perceived stress correlated positively with rumination (r = .55, p < .01) and negatively with self-control (r = −.37, p < .01). Rumination also correlated negatively with self-control (r = −.50, p < .01). Older participants reported greater stress and rumination, whereas participants without formal education reported greater stress. Rural participants reported higher stress, rumination, and self-control than urban participants. No significant differences were reported by gender, financial problems, family system, or marital status. Internal consistency was acceptable for perceived stress and rumination but weak for self-control (α = .56). The reported stress-score maximum exceeded the PSS-10 scoring range and requires verification against the original data.

Conclusion: Stress appraisal, repetitive negative thinking, and self-regulatory functioning warrant integrated consideration in PTSD research. The cross-sectional design, weak self-control reliability, and unresolved stress-scoring discrepancy limit interpretation. Longitudinal research using validated Urdu measures is needed before causal or treatment conclusions can be drawn.