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Resilient Coping Moderates the Effect of Trauma Exposure on Depression
Vaughn G Sinclair1, Kenneth A Wallston2, Eric Strachan3
1School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University 461 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN, 37240.
Research in Nursing & Health
|May 14, 2016
Summary
Resilient coping significantly reduces depression after trauma exposure, even when accounting for neuroticism. Learning these coping skills may help individuals with traumatic histories manage depression.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Posttraumatic depression is a growing public health concern in the United States.
- Identifying factors that can mitigate depression following trauma is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if resilient coping moderates the relationship between trauma exposure and depression.
- To control for the influence of neuroticism, a known predictor of depressive symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 3,734 twin pairs from the University of Washington Twin Registry.
- Employed the Brief Resilient Coping Scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire.
- Conducted multiple linear regression analyses, controlling for neuroticism.
Main Results:
- Neuroticism and trauma exposure significantly predicted depression (p < .001).
- The interaction between resilient coping and trauma exposure significantly impacted depression levels in both subsamples (p < .01).
- Higher resilient coping was linked to lower depression scores post-trauma, independent of neuroticism.
Conclusions:
- Resilient coping acts as a significant protective factor against posttraumatic depression.
- Interventions aimed at teaching resilient coping strategies could benefit individuals with histories of trauma.
- Further research into learned coping mechanisms for trauma survivors is warranted.
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