Coping strategy utilization among posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity and substance use co-occurrence typologies: A latent class analysis.

Abstract

Objective: There is a lack of research on primary prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and substance use among trauma-exposed populations. To guide the development of more effective prevention efforts, the current study sought to identify underlying coping mechanisms that impact PTSD-substance use co-occurrence. Method: A person-centered analytic approach (latent class analysis) examined PTSD-substance use co-occurrence typologies (classes) and identified theoretically adaptive (e.g., active coping) and maladaptive (e.g., denial) coping strategies that differentiated between classes among a sample of 1,270 trauma-exposed participants (M age ϭ 20.71, 73.5% female, 45.7% White). Results: Latent class analysis identified five distinct typologies, reflective of extant epidemiological and etiological work. Generally, behavioral disengagement and self-blame coping increased the likelihood of being in more severe PTSD-illicit substance use (e.g., cocaine) comorbidity classes. Positive reframing and planning differentiated between low and moderate illicit substance typologies with moderate PTSD severity. Venting, acceptance, and self-distraction differentiated between asymptomatic and moderate PTSD severity typologies with low illicit substance use. Conclusions: Findings identify general coping strategies associated with increased likelihood of being in more severe comorbidity typologies, as well as several unique coping strategies associated with risk of transitioning between low/moderate PTSD and illicit substance use classes. Relevant interventions (e.g., trauma psychoeducation, guilt-reduction therapy, psychological first aid) that may be targets for future prevention-oriented work are discussed. Clinical Impact StatementThis study indicates that there are distinct PTSD-substance use co-occurrence typologies that utilize unique coping strategies for distress. Identification of these differentiating strategies may facilitate the development of more effective prevention efforts.

Longitudinal associations between impulsivity and alcohol and cannabis use frequency, quantity, and problems among military veterans.

“…Conversely, results suggest that impulsive behavior in response to intense negative emotional states (i.e., negative urgency) may play an important role in understanding subsequent experiences of problematic alcohol use outcomes (e.g., alcohol-related memory loss, injury, failure to fulfill obligations). This finding is consistent with other veteran research evidencing associations between negative urgency and alcohol use problems (Hahn et al, 2015), as well as extant trauma-related work among trauma-exposed samples and veterans implicating negative affective responsivity (i.e., negative alternations in mood and cognitions) as the posttraumatic stress symptom cluster most strongly associated with alcohol use problems (Debell et al, 2014; Kearns et al, 2019, 2020). Collectively, results suggest that general patterns of alcohol use quantity may be more stable among veterans, whereas the frequency of alcohol use sessions (i.e., number of drinking days), as well as the negative behavioral consequences associated with more frequent alcohol use, may be influenced by a trait tendency to seek out new and exciting experiences (i.e., sensation seeking), as well as impulsive reaction to changes in negative affective states after alcohol is consumed (i.e., negative urgency).…”

Mediation Effect of Maladaptive Coping between Work-to-Family Conflict and Cardiovascular Health Behaviors

“…The participants in this study used self-distraction and venting the most as maladaptive coping. A study has reported the relation of maladaptive coping strategies, such as self-distraction and venting, to substance use [ 28 ].…”

Perceived partner support and post-traumatic symptoms after an acute cardiac event:A longitudinal study

“…Being exposed to a traumatic event might lead to the emergence of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), the severity and prevalence of which may even amount to a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis (Bryant, 2019). Post-traumatic stress symptoms are commonly comorbid with other conditions such as depression, substance use, and anxiety disorders, and are associated with significant mental and physical impairments (Carlson & Weiner, 2020; Kearns et al, 2021).…”