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Coping Strategies in PTSD

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2009

Mikloš Biro
Affiliation:
University of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia
Zdenka Novović
Affiliation:
University of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia
Vesna Gavrilov
Affiliation:
University of Novi Sad, Yugoslavia

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyse the type of coping strategies used by patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For that purpose, two groups of war veterans (40 subjects in each group) were compared. The first group was made up of patients with PTSD, and the second (control) group comprised veterans who suffered combat trauma, but did not show any PTSD symptoms. Coping strategies were assessed using the Questionnaire of Coping Responses (McCrae, 1984).

The results show that out of 118 items (examples of coping strategies) 10 show statistically significant differences between the group with PTSD and the one without it. PTSD patients used more maladaptive strategies (avoidance, pseudo-planning, fantasizing, impulsive and depressive behaviour), while subjects from the control group were more likely to use the strategy of controlling impulses.

Type
Clinical Section
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1997

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