Patterns of Appraisal and Coping Across Different Stressor Conditions Among Former Prisoners of War With and Without Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

John A. Fairbank, David J. Hansen, James M. Fitterling

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

83 Scopus citations

Abstract

Little is known about how survivors of extreme events cope with traumatic memories and subsequent negative life experiences. The present study compared (a) repatriated prisoners of war (RPWs) from World War II (WW II) with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), (b) RPWs without PTSD, and (c) noncombat veterans on measures of general psychological functioning, appraisal, and coping. Appraisal and coping were assessed under 2 stressor conditions: memories of war/captivity and recent negative life events. RPWs with PTSD reported poorer general psychological functioning; significantly less control over memories of WW II; and more frequent use of self-isolation, wishful thinking, self-blame, and social support in an effort to cope with these memories than did the 2 comparison groups. Fewer between-groups differences were found for the recent stressor condition. Findings are discussed in terms of factors that may explain the perseverance of coping difficulties associated with PTSD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)274-281
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Volume59
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1991
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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