Cited by 220Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchChild Abuse and TraumaPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

Trauma reactivity, avoidant coping, and PTSD symptoms: A moderating relationship?

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Pineles, Suzanne L., Mostoufi, Sheeva M., Ready, C. Beth, Street, Amy E., Griffin, Michael G., Resick, Patricia A.·2011·Journal of Abnormal Psychology

Abstract

In the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event, many individuals experience physiological reactivity in response to reminders of the traumatic event that typically lessens over time. However, an overreliance on avoidant coping strategies may interfere with the natural recovery process, particularly for those who are highly reactive to trauma reminders. In the current investigation, we examined avoidant coping as a moderator of the association between heart rate reactivity to a trauma monologue measured shortly after a traumatic event and severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms measured several months later. Fifty-five female survivors of assault completed PTSD diagnostic interviews and a self-report coping measure and participated in a trauma monologue procedure that included continuous heart rate measurement. These procedures were completed within 1 month of the assault and again 3 months postassault. After we controlled for the effect of initial symptom levels, the interaction of heart rate reactivity to the trauma monologue and avoidant coping measured at Time 1 was associated with PTSD symptom severity at Time 2. Individuals who are relatively highly reliant on avoidant coping strategies and relatively highly reactive to trauma reminders may be at greatest risk of maintaining or potentially increasing their PTSD symptoms within the first few months following the trauma. These findings may help inform early intervention efforts for survivors of traumatic events.

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  • Adaptive coping strategies such as problem solving and seeking support mitigate the development of long-term mental health problems, and maladaptive coping strategies such as avoidance, distraction, and substance use increase their likelihood.

    “Coping styles, referring to how people handle stress or adversity, may also impact mental health, with adaptive coping strategies such as problem solving and seeking support mitigating the development of long-term mental health problems and maladaptive coping strategies such as avoidance, distraction, and substance use increasing their likelihood (e.g., Kirby et al., 2011; Pineles et al., 2011;”

    From I've Seen Enough: Measuring the Toll of Content Moderation on Mental Health (2025) · cites this paper as Pineles et al., 2011

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Keane TM Barlow DH Barlow DH 2002 Posttraumatic stress disorder Anxiety and its disorder: The nature and treatment of anxiety and panic 418 452 New York, NY Guilford Press
  2. Spitzer RL Williams JBW Gibbon M First MB 1990 Structured Clinical Interview for DSM–III–Revised–Patient Edition, With Psychotic Screen (SCID-I/P W/PSY SCREEN) Washington, DC American Psychiatric Press

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Authors
Pineles, S. L., Mostoufi, S. M., Ready, C. B., Street, A. E., Griffin, M. G., & Resick, P. A.
Affiliations
  • VA Boston Healthcare System (US)
  • Boston University (US)
  • University of Missouri–St. Louis (US)
Venue
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
Published
2011-02
Volume
120
Issue
1
Pages
240-246
ISSN
  • 0021-843X (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1846
OpenAlex
W2027575391
Cited by
219
References
21
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 12
FWCI
10.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Abnormal Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (R01-MH46992)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Keywords
post-traumatic stress disorder, avoidance coping, heart rate reactivity, moderating effect, PTSD symptom severity, early intervention
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Female, Heart Rate, Humans, Interview, Psychological, Life Change Events, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Regression Analysis, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Violence, Survivors, Crime Victims

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