Citation

Kraaij V, Garnefski N. Anxiety Stress Coping 2006; 19(1): 1-14.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10615800500412449

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The relationships between war events, cognitive coping strategies, posttraumatic stress reactions, and depressive symptoms were examined in 248 people who experienced war 50 years ago. The findings suggest that people who experienced war events that indicate a more severe involvement in war suffered from more depressive symptoms. War events that might be experienced by many people in the community appeared not to be related to depression scores. The occurrence of intrusion and avoidance appeared to be related to depressive symptoms. When cognitive coping strategies were included in the analysis, intrusion and avoidance no longer were significant. However, cognitive coping strategies, such as positive reappraisal, positive refocusing, rumination, acceptance, and self-blame, were significantly related to depressive symptoms. Intervention programs should pay attention to these cognitive coping strategies.