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Avoidant coping as a mediator between peritraumatic dissociation and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms
Maria L Pacella1, Leah Irish, Sarah A Ostrowski
1Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
Journal of Traumatic Stress
|May 28, 2011
Summary
Peritraumatic dissociation predicts posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Avoidant coping mediates this link, especially in women initially, suggesting targeted interventions for high dissociators.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Peritraumatic dissociation is a known predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Avoidant coping strategies may act as a mechanism linking dissociation to PTSD development.
- Understanding these pathways is crucial for effective trauma intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if avoidant coping mediates the relationship between peritraumatic dissociation and chronic PTSD symptoms.
- To examine this mediation at 6 and 12 months post-motor vehicle accident.
- To explore potential gender differences in this mediation pathway.
Main Methods:
- Path analysis was employed to assess mediation.
- Data collected from individuals (n=193 at 6 months, n=167 at 12 months) following motor vehicle accidents.
- Controlled for covariates including age, gender, depression, and early PTSD symptoms.
Main Results:
- Avoidant coping partially mediated the association between peritraumatic dissociation and chronic PTSD symptoms at both 6 and 12 months.
- This mediation was significant for women at 6 months post-trauma, but not for men.
- Gender differences in mediation were not significant at the 12-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Avoidant coping plays a significant role in the development of chronic PTSD following trauma.
- Interventions aimed at reducing avoidant coping behaviors in individuals with high peritraumatic dissociation may be beneficial.
- Early intervention may be particularly important for women, given the 6-month gender-specific findings.
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