Date Approved
9-2-2014
Embargo Period
3-3-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Department
Psychology
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Advisor
Dinzeo, Thomas
Subject(s)
Post-traumatic stress disorder; Adaptation, Psychological
Disciplines
Psychiatric and Mental Health
Abstract
The current study examined the predictive value of stressful life experiences and coping strategies on posttraumatic growth and psychopathological symptoms. Using the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ), the Brief COPE, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), hierarchical linear regression models were used to explore the contribution of specific coping strategies to predict posttraumatic growth and psychopathological symptoms following exposure to a trauma/stressful life event. We hypothesized that coping styles such as planning, humor, and acceptance would predict more adaptive outcomes, whereas coping styles such as venting, substance use, and denial would predict more maladaptive outcomes. Results from a factor analysis indicated that there were three factors in the current sample. Factors 1 and 3 were considered "adaptive" coping styles and analyzed together. In a hierarchal regression, these strategies predicted significantly more posttraumatic growth and less psychopathological symptoms beyond that of gender and trauma/stressful life events. Factor two was considered "maladaptive" and significantly predicted psychopathological symptoms beyond that of gender and trauma/stressful life events. Post-hoc analyses explored the specific predictive value of these coping strategies.
Recommended Citation
Henninger, Jessica, "Coping strategies, psychopathological symptoms, and posttraumatic growth following trauma and stressful life events" (2014). Theses and Dissertations. 357.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/357
