Citation

Palus SR, Fang SRS, Prawitz AD. Traumatology 2012; 18(4): 13-26.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Green Cross Academy of Traumatology, Publisher APA Journals)

DOI

10.1177/1534765612437381

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The purpose was to determine differences by gender and over time in use of coping strategies by students following the 2008 mass shootings at Northern Illinois University. Students (N=336) completed questionnaires about use of specific coping strategies at two time periods: immediately following the incident, and 3-6 months later. Students reported more use of acceptance-coping approaches initially, and use increased over time. Students' use of avoidance-coping approaches declined over time. Women used more religious- and emotion-focused coping strategies than did men at both time periods, but use of these strategies declined for all students over time. Men used more active coping initially, but over time, use declined for men and increased for women. Overall, students displayed resiliency. The differences in the use of coping strategies by men and women and the changes in use over time demonstrate the unfolding transitional process of coping, and make it clear that people cope in different ways and in their own time. The findings provide strong support for the usefulness of different combinations of coping strategies, especially based on the tendency of men and women to approach coping differently.

Language: en