TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2023//
TI  - Pathways towards posttraumatic stress symptomatology: a moderated mediation model including perceived stress, worry, and defense mechanisms
JO  - Psychological trauma: theory, research, practice, and policy
A1  - Gori, Alessio
A1  - Topino, Eleonora
A1  - Musetti, Alessandro
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - OBJECTIVE: The general aim of this study was to examine the psychological variables associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology, focusing on perceived stress, worry, as well as mature, neurotic, and immature defenses. Therefore, the differences in the study variables based on the levels of posttraumatic stress were explored, and a moderated mediation model was tested, controlling for gender and SARS-CoV-2 infection as covariates. <br><br>METHOD: A sample of 1,864 Italian participants completed the Impact of event scale-revised (IES-R), the 10-Item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), and the 40-Item Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40). <br><br>RESULTS: 41% (n = 764) of participants showed scores indicative of a probable presence of PTSD. They reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress, worry, neurotic and immature defenses than participants with lower PTSD symptomatology. Perceived stress was significantly associated with PTSD symptomatology, both directly and indirectly through the mediation of worry. Furthermore, neurotic and immature defenses were significant moderators in some relationships of this model. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Such data can provide useful indications to elaborate tailored interventions and specific prevention activities for PTSD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1942-9681
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/tra0001435
ID  - ref1
ER  -