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Tiet QQ, Rosen C, Cavella S, Moos R, Finney J, Yesavage J. Coping, symptoms, and functioning outcomes of patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Paper presented at: American Psychological Association Annual Convention; 2005 Aug 1; Washington, DC.
Purpose: Examine whether adaptive coping predicts better functioning outcomes in patients diagnosed with PTSD. Methods: PTSD patients receiving services in five VA health care systems were randomly selected and surveyed at baseline and followed ten months later. Findings: Analyses of longitudinal data using structural equation modeling techniques showed that more approach coping and less behavioral avoidance coping predicted better family and social functioning. Cognitive avoidance coping predicted more PTSD symptoms, and more PTSD symptoms predicted more approach coping and more behavioral avoidance coping. Conclusions: Adaptive coping enables patients with chronic PTSD to establish and maintain better relationships with family and friends, despite continuing PTSD.
