Exploration of the relationship between social cognition and PTSD using data from the ALSPAC cohort

Wiseman, Chantelle Elizabeth, Sullivan, Sarah and Zammit, Stanley ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2647-9211 2026. Exploration of the relationship between social cognition and PTSD using data from the ALSPAC cohort. Frontiers in Psychiatry

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Abstract

Background and hypothesis: Previous studies have shown an association between social cognition (emotion recognition, social perception, attributional style and mentalization) and PTSD, but there have been no longitudinal studies on this topic. We hypothesise that childhood social cognitive differences are associated with subsequent trauma exposure and PTSD. Study design: Data was used from the Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The Social Communications Disorder Checklist (SCDC) at age 7.5 years, the Diagnostic Analysis of Non-Verbal Accuracy Scale (DANVA) Receptive Facial Expressions Subtest at 8 years, and the Emotional Triangles task at 13.5 years were used. Outcome measures were trauma ages 14-23 years using the LEC-5, and screening positive for PTSD at 23 years of age using the PCL-5. Logistic regression analyses were used and adjusted for sex, socioeconomic status, verbal IQ and autism diagnosis for the trauma outcome and additionally childhood trauma ages 0-10 years for the PTSD outcome. A sensitivity analysis examined whether an association remained with adolescent/adult trauma after excluding those with childhood trauma. Study results: Global social cognition differences measured via the SCDC were associated with trauma in the main and sensitivity analyses (ORadj 1.09, 95% CI 1.08, 1.11, p value <0.001) as were errors on the Triangles task (ORadj 1.04, 95% CI 1.03, 1.06, p value <0.001). The SCDC was also associated with PTSD (ORadj 1.15, 95% CI 1.12, 1.18, p value <0.001) as were errors on the Triangles task (ORadj 1.16, 95% CI 1.13, 1.20, p value <0.001). No association was found with the DANVA task and the outcomes measured. Conclusions: These results support a temporal relationship between social cognitive variation and subsequent trauma and PTSD.

Item Type:	Article
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Medicine
Additional Information:	RRS policy applied
Publisher:	Frontiers Media
ISSN:	1664-0640
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	14 July 2026
Date of Acceptance:	7 July 2026
Last Modified:	14 Jul 2026 13:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188207

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