Citation

Littleton H, Horsley S, John S, Nelson DV. J. Trauma. Stress 2007; 20(6): 977-988.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341-2447, USA. littleton@shsu.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/jts.20276

PMID

18157893

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.

Language: en