Coping strategies and posttraumatic stress disorder in female victims of sexual and nonsexual assault.

Abstract

Judgmental biases for threat-relevant stimuli are thought to be important mechanisms underlying the etiology and maintenance of anxiety disorders. The authors hypothesized (a) that people with generalized social phobia (GSP) would rate negative social events but not nonsocial events as more probable and costly than would nonanxious controls (NACs) and (b) that cognitive behavioral treatment would decrease probability and cost estimates for social but not nonsocial events. Participants with GSP and NACs were assessed twice, 14 weeks apart, during which the former received cognitive behavioral therapy. Those with GSP evidenced socially relevant judgmental biases prior to treatment, and these were attenuated following treatment. Reduction in cost estimates for social events, but not in probability estimates, mediated improvement in social phobia. Results are discussed in light of emotional processing theory.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Mediate the Relationship Between Traumatic Experiences and Drinking Behavior Among Women Attending Alcohol Serving Venues in a South African Township

“…However, such a model had not been examined previously in a South African setting. It has been suggested that the use of avoidant coping strategies may help to explain the relationship between PTSD and substance use (Santello and Leitenberg, 1993;Ullman et al, 2007;Valentiner et al, 1996). This deserves further investigation in the South African setting, where it may help to inform culturally appropriate ways to break the cycle between trauma and substance use.…”

Posttraumatic Growth and Recovery from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

“…They suggest that PTSD can be conceptualised as indicative of incomplete emotional processing. In support, many researchers have found that affective and cognitive suppression commonly occurs in individuals after a trauma and this can be adaptive at the time of the trauma (e.g., Bryant & Harvey, 1995 ;Solomon et al, 1988;Valentiner et al, 1996). Yet, suppression over an extended period of time is considered to be maladaptive as it interferes with processing the emotions associated with the trauma, and impedes recovery overtime (e.g.…”

Sex differences in trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder: A quantitative review of 25 years of research.

“…Immediate posttrauma coping strategies have been found to predict the subsequent onset of PTSD (Clohessy & Ehlers, 1999;Valentiner, Foa, Riggs, & Gershuny, 1996); male and female participants might differ in this respect (see Vingerhoets & Van Heck, 1990). For example, female paramedics were more likely than their male counterparts to report using the coping strategies of wishful thinking, mental disengagement, and suppression of trauma memories.…”