Childhood trauma and thought action fusion: A multi-method examination

Cognitive biases, such as Thought Action Fusion, play a crucial role in the cognitive-behavioral model of anxiety disorders and have been shown to prospectively increase the risk of developing future psychopathology. However, little research has examined the developmental factors that contribute to this theoretically important construct. Therefore, the current study examined how childhood trauma predicts TAF using a multi-method approach. Using both a self-report (N=407) and in vivo measure (N=107), results indicated that emotional abuse and physical neglect predicted the likelihood bias of TAF, whereas physical abuse predicted the moral bias. Our findings are conceptualized within a developmental psychopathology framework and cognitive intervention strategies for survivors of childhood trauma are suggested. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

► We examined how childhood trauma predicts Thought Action Fusion (TAF) using a multi-method approach. ► Emotional abuse and physical neglect predicted the likelihood bias of TAF. ► Physical abuse predicted the moral bias. ► Findings are conceptualized within a developmental psychopathology framework. ► Cognitive intervention strategies for survivors of childhood trauma are suggested.