Which cognitive and mood trauma symptom may occur more than a month after a traumatic event?

Anhedonia is the correct answer, as it refers to the loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. This symptom can be a significant indicator of depression and may manifest in individuals who have experienced trauma, even well after the initial event has taken place. In the context of trauma, anhedonia indicates an emotional numbing or a withdrawal from previously pleasurable experiences, which can occur as a lingering effect of trauma on mental health.

In contrast, elation, self-empowerment, and a sense of optimism about the future generally suggest positive emotional states or coping strategies, which are not typically linked to the negative aftermath of trauma as experienced through symptoms that persist beyond a month. These responses might indicate resilience or adjustment rather than the emotional distress and dysfunction characterized by anhedonia, making it distinct in the context of post-traumatic symptoms.