Memory & Identity Theory (M&I) of ICD-11 Complex PTSD

A key goal of the International Trauma Consortium is to explain the development and maintenance of PTSD and Complex PTSD. To do this, we developed the Memory and Identity Theory of ICD-11 Complex PTSD. On this page you will find information about this theory and resources that can be used to test predictions arising from the theory.

The Memory and Identity Theory of ICD-11 Complex PTSD

The Memory and Identity Theory of ICD-11 CPTSD (M&I Theory) states that single and multiple trauma exposure occur in a context of individual vulnerability which interact to give rise to intrusive, sensation-based traumatic memories and negative identities which, together, produce the PTSD and DSO symptoms that define ICD-11 CPTSD. The model emphasizes that the two major and related causal processes of intrusive memories and negative identities exist on a continuum from prereflective experience to full self-awareness.

We have developed several measures to enable theory testing. The ITQ can be used to measure the symptoms of PTSD and Complex PTSD, and the ITEM can be used to measure trauma exposure.

The key theoretical variables are traumatic memories and negative identities. Another key element of the theory is pre-reflective experiences. We have developed the Experiences of Traumatic Memories Questionnaire (ETMQ), the Trauma Identity Questionnaire (TIQ), and the Pre-Reflective Experiences Questionnaire (PREQ) to measure these constructs. You can download each measure by clicking on the relevant link below, and instructions are included in the English document.

Measures:

Experiences of Traumatic Memories Questionnaire_English

Trauma Identity Questionnaire_English

Pre-Reflective Experiences Questionnaire_English

Experiences of Traumatic Memories Questionnaire_Ukrainian

Trauma Identity Questionnaire_Ukrainian

Pre-Reflective Experiences Questionnaire_English

If you wish to contribute a translation, please get in touch with Prof. Philip Hyland by email at philip.hyland@mu.ie

Key publications:

Hyland, P., Shevlin, M., & Brewin, C. R. (2023). The Memory and Identity Theory of ICD-11 Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Psychological Review, 130(4), 1044-1065. DOI: 10.1037/rev0000418

Hyland, P., Shevlin, M., Martsenkovskyi, D., Ben-Ezra, M., & Brewin, C. R. (2024). Testing predictions from the Memory and Identity Theory of ICD-11 Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Measurement development and initial findings. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 105, 102898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2024.102898