Citation

Smith AJ, Abeyta AA, Hughes M, Jones RT. Psychol. Trauma 2015; 7(2): 179-186.

Affiliation

Psychology Department.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/tra0000002

PMID

25793695

Abstract

This study tested a conceptual model merging anxiety buffer disruption and social-cognitive theories to predict persistent grief severity among students who lost a close friend, significant other, and/or professor/teacher in tragic university campus shootings. A regression-based path model tested posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptom severity 3 to 4 months postshooting (Time 1) as a predictor of grief severity 1 year postshootings (Time 2), both directly and indirectly through cognitive processes (self-efficacy and disrupted worldview).

RESULTS revealed a model that predicted 61% of the variance in Time 2 grief severity. Hypotheses were supported, demonstrating that Time 1 PTS severity indirectly, positively predicted Time 2 grief severity through undermining self-efficacy and more severely disrupting worldview.

FINDINGS and theoretical interpretation yield important insights for future research and clinical application. (PsycINFO Database Record

Language: en