Race-specific associations between trauma cognitions and symptoms of alcohol dependence in individuals with comorbid PTSD and alcohol dependence

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) changes the way people think about themselves, others, and the safety of the world. These cognitions may play a role in alcohol dependence, where alcohol dependence is maintained as an attempt to manage posttraumatic anxiety. The current study examined black–white differences in various PTSD cognitions and their relationship to symptoms of alcohol dependence in a dually diagnosed sample (N = 167). Analyses revealed racial differences in trauma cognitions and their impact on symptoms of alcohol dependence, suggesting that trauma cognitions are more strongly associated with adverse consequences of drinking and alcohol craving severity among African Americans than European Americans. Additional relationships between ethnic identification and trauma-related cognitions are described and theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

► We assessed two racial groups with both PTSD and alcohol dependence.
► African Americans were more like to feel the world is dangerous.
► European Americans were more likely to have social difficulties.
► Trauma cognitions correlate to adverse drinking consequences in African Americans.
► Trauma cognitions correlate to greater alcohol cravings in African Americans.