engleski

COPING STRATEGIES AND PTSD AMONG FEMALE CIVILIAN VICTIMS OF WAR

Educational objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the participants should be able to recognize the most commonly used coping strategies among women who experienced civilian war-related trauma. Purpose: To exam which coping strategies have an impact in overcoming posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among women who have experienced at least one war-related traumatic event and compare them with women who did not experience such trauma. Methods: This research is a part of larger study on psychobiology of PTSD. A total of 400 female participants were included in the study out of which 298 has experienced at least one war related traumatic event. All participants have completed a socio-demographic questionnaire and Way of Coping questionnaire. Structured clinical interview CAPS was performed with traumatized women in order to assess intensity of PTSD. Participants were thus divided into four groups: women with present PTSD, women with life time PTSD, women who were traumatized but have never developed PTSD, and control group of nontraumatized women. Results: Participants with lifetime PTSD significantly more often use positive reinterpretation compared with PTSD participants, and use more distancing and self control compared with control group. Women with present and lifetime PTSD significantly more often use escape/avoidance as coping strategy compared with women without PTSD and control group. Women with present PTSD significantly more often use negative coping compared with other groups of women. Regression analysis has showed that coping strategies explain up to 14% of intensity of PTSD symptoms, however the only significant individual contribution is that of avoidant coping. Conclusions: Positive coping strategies can be related with overcoming posttraumatic stress symptoms. Avoidance coping strategy is an important factor in maintaining PTSD symptoms which is in line with disorder itself. The obtained results have a clinical value in working with traumatized women.

coping strategies; war victims; women; PTSD

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