Citation

Huijts I, Kleijn WC, van Emmerik AAP, Noordhof A, Smith AJ. J. Trauma. Stress 2012; 25(1): 71-78.

Affiliation

Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/jts.21665

PMID

22354510

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between coping style, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and quality of life in traumatized refugees (N = 335). Participants had resettled in the Netherlands on average 13 years prior and were referred to a Dutch clinic for the treatment of posttraumatic psychopathology resulting from persecution, war, and violence. The majority (85%) of the research sample met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Path analysis suggested a model in which PTSD symptoms (β = -.61, p < .001), social support seeking (β = .12, p < .05), and emotion-focused coping (β = .13, p < .01) have a direct effect on quality of life. The role of avoidant and problem-focused coping could be interpreted in 2 ways. Either these coping styles are influenced by PTSD severity and have no effect on quality of life, or these coping styles influence PTSD severity and therefore have an indirect effect on quality of life. Intervention strategies aimed at modifying coping strategies and decreasing PTSD symptoms could be important in improving the quality of life of traumatized refugees.

Language: en