Dimensional approaches to studying, assessing, and treating traumatic stress: Introduction to the Special Section

Abstract

Dimensional models of psychopathology are gaining empirical support and are, thus, increasingly common in research and clinical practice. This is true for traumatic stress studies, although the movement toward dimensional conceptualizations of traumatic stress may be somewhat slower, perhaps due at least in part to how trauma is diagnosed. The purpose of this special section is to collect and showcase cutting-edge basic, applied, and conceptual work on dimensional models of traumatic stress. Its goal is to highlight the utility of such models and to facilitate greater connection between traumatic stress studies and the broader dimensional movement in psychopathology.