The Effects of Stress Coping Strategies in Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Among Earthquake Survivors: An Explanatory Model of Post-Traumatic Stress

Abstract

ResumenSe determinó el efecto de las estrategias de afrontamiento (WOC) en los síntomas de estrés post-traumático (PTSD) ante un evento estresante común para 304 personas (Chile, terremoto 27 de febrero de 2010), mediante la aplicación del Ways of Coping Questionnaire y de la Davidson Scale of Trauma. Los resultados muestran 4 modelos de regresión lineal múltiple significativos que explican el total y los 3 tipos de síntomas del PTSD a partir de las WOC evitación y resolución de problemas. Sin embargo, un primer modelo integrado mediante ecuaciones estructurales no obtuvo buenos índices de ajuste. Se concluye con un modelo integrado alternativo que presenta muy buenos índices de ajuste. Finalmente se entregan explicaciones basadas en neuroimágenes y covert conditioning, además de reflexiones sobre prevención y prevalencia del PTSD.Palabras clave: Estrategias de afrontamiento, estrés post-traumático, terremoto, tsunami, desastres. AbstractThe effect of the ways of coping (WOC) in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a stressing event common to a sample of 304 people (Chile, earthquake February, 27 2010) was determined through the application of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire and the Davidson Scale of Trauma. The results show 4 significant Regression Multiple Linear models explaining the total and the 3 types of PTSD symptoms through WOC such as avoidance and problem solution. However, a first integrated model through structural equations did not attain good fit indexes. The study has been concluded with an alternative integrated model presenting very good adjustment indexes (CMIN/DF=.058, RMSEA=.000, NFI=.999, CFI=.999 and PNFI=.100). Finally, explanations based on neuroimages and covert conditioning are provided along with reflections on the prevention and prevalence of the PTSD.

Self-Efficacy as a Mechanism Linking Daily Stress to Mental Health in Students: A Three-Wave Cross-Lagged Study

“…Disregarding potential intervening alleviating factors, estimates solely including direct effects are insufficient and may cause inaccurate calculations of effect sizes (Hayes & Preacher, 2014;MacKinnon, Fairchild, & Fritz, 2007). Accordingly, the relationship between stress and mental state is modulated by personal characteristics (e.g., Leiva-Bianchi, Baher, & Poblete, 2012). Interindividual differences in coping strategies are postulated in traditional stress-buffering models (Cohen & Edwards, 1988;Lazarus & Folkman, 1984).…”

The effects of daily stress on positive and negative mental health: Mediation through self-efficacy

“…However, assumptions that merely include direct effects of stress on health are incomplete and ignore possible intervening or mitigating factors, leading to a potentially inaccurate estimation of effect sizes. The strength of the association between stress and mental state depends on characteristics and strategies that differentiate individuals from one another ( Leiva-Bianchi, Baher, & Poblete, 2012 ). The extent to which the effects of daily stress on mental health are mediated through personal characteristics has not yet been examined.…”

Afrontamiento comunal, crecimiento postraumático colectivo y bienestar social en el contexto del terremoto del 27 de febrero de 2010 en Chile

“…Los hallazgos en CPT, luego del terremoto en Chile, muestran una correlación positiva entre CPT y TEPT individual (Leiva-Bianchi, et al, 2012), reforzándose la idea de que un trauma, aunque provoque rumiación y ansiedad, es una precondición para el CPT. Por otra parte, García, Cova y Melipillán (2013) identificaron una estructura de tres factores de CPT: de autopercepción, relación con los otros y cambios en la espiritualidad.…”