Trauma coping strategies and psychological distress: A meta‐analysis

Abstract

The identification of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies following traumatic events has been the subject of much scientific inquiry. The current study sought through meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between the use of approach and avoidance strategies (both problem-focused and emotion/cognitive focused) following trauma and psychological distress. Thirty-nine studies of coping following two types of traumatic events (interpersonal violence and severe injury) were retained in the meta-analysis. There was a consistent association between avoidance coping and distress, overall r = .37, but no association between approach coping and distress, overall r = -.03, but some important moderators existed. Implications of the results for future research regarding coping and trauma recovery are discussed.

Personality and Coping

“…Meta-analyses indicate that most engagement coping relates to better physical and mental health in samples coping with stressors as diverse as traumatic events, social stress, HIV, prostate cancer, and diabetes (Clarke 2006, Duangdao & Roesch 2008, Littleton et al 2007, Moskowitz et al 2009, Roesch et al 2005. However, less-volitional responses that might be seen as reflecting engagement, including rumination, self-blame, and venting, predict poorer emotional and physical outcomes (Austenfeld & Stanton 2004, Moskowitz et al 2009).…”

“…Acceptance in the context of other accommodative strategies aimed at adapting to stress is helpful, but acceptance that reflects resignation and abandonment of incentives predicts distress (Morling & Evered 2006). Disengagement coping typically predicts poorer outcomes, such as more anxiety, depression, and disruptive behavior, less positive affect, and poorer physical health, across an array of stressors (Littleton et al 2007, Moskowitz et al 2009, Roesch et al 2005, although negative effects appear less pronounced in the context of uncontrollable stressors (Clarke 2006.…”

Assessment of the psychosocial predictors of health-related quality of life in a PTSD clinical sample.

“…37) whereas there was no association between the adaptive approach coping strategy and distress (r = −.03; Littleton, Horsley, John, & Nelson, 2007).…”

Trauma counselling: a comprehensive overview for undergraduate and graduate students

“…In the literature, adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies following traumatic life events have been conceptualized in two ways: (1) problem-focused or emotion-focused strategies, and (2) approach-focused or avoidance-focused strategies (Littleton, Horsley, John, and Nelson, 2007).…”

“…As pointed out by Littleton et al (2007), approach-focused strategies focus on the stressor itself or one's responses to it. For example, searching emotional support and seeking information about the stressor would qualify as approach-focused strategies.…”