Improving coping self-efficacy among distressed students after exposure to university mass violence: A pilot online intervention
Abstract
Given the rise of incidents of mass violence affecting college campuses, interventions for students are gravely needed, especially ones with broader accessibility and reach. This pilot study examined two online narrative writing interventions for undergraduates experiencing distress a year after exposure to a mass murder at their university. Thirty-nine students completed online narrative writing tasks across 4 days. Coping self-efficacy (CSE) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) were assessed. The intervention was feasible and acceptable, as demonstrated by high levels of completion at two follow-ups (97% and 87% respectively). Both groups had significant increases in CSE from baseline to postintervention. Implications and recommendations are discussed.
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CSE is considered a promising intervention mechanism mediating the impact of trauma and stress on adolescent functioning and well-being.
“On the other hand, coping self-efficacy (CSE) specifically reflects one’s cognitive appraisal of their ability to manage emotions and stress (Benight & Bandura, 2004; Chesney et al., 2006) and is considered a promising intervention mechanism mediating the impact of trauma and stress on adolescent functioning and well-being (DeCou et al., 2019; Liu & Kia-Keating, 2018; Reeves et al., 2011).”
From Intervention development to improve foster youth mental health by targeting coping self-efficacy and help-seeking (2023) · cites this paper as Liu & Kia-Keating, 2018
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Blakeslee, J. E., Kothari, B. H., & Miller, R. A. (2023) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106753 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
- Authors
- Liu, S. R., & Kia-Keating, M.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Santa Barbara (US)
- Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- Corresponding author
- Liu, Sabrina R.
- ORCID
- Liu, Sabrina R.
- Venue
- Journal of College Student Psychotherapy
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2017-11-08
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 199-219
- ISSN
- 1540-4730 (ISSN-L)
- 8756-8225
- OpenAlex
- W2767356615
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 0.34
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of College Student Psychotherapy (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health via Writing
- Keywords
- coping self-efficacy, posttraumatic growth, post-traumatic stress, mass murder, intervention feasibility and acceptability, university students
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