The effect of hardiness on PTSD symptoms: A prospective mediational approach |
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| Authors: | Ådne G. Thomassen Sigurd W. Hystad Bjørn Helge Johnsen Grethe E. Johnsen Paul T. Bartone |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway;2. Medical Branch, Royal Norwegian Navy, Bergen, Norway;3. National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway;4. Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Washington, DC |
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| Abstract: | Psychological hardiness has been associated with lower PTSD in military personnel, but the processes of action remain unclear. This study uses a prospective design to examine whether hardiness has an indirect effect on PTSD symptoms through avoidance coping. Our sample included 163 Norwegian military personnel who served in international operations between 2009 and 2010. Regression analyses were performed to estimate the coefficients in a simple mediation model, with baseline PTSD symptoms, combat exposure, and deprivation of basic needs entered as control variables. The results showed that the effect of hardiness on PTSD symptoms worked through reducing the use of avoidance coping. It was concluded that an avoidant-focused coping style acts as a vulnerability factor for PTSD symptoms, whereas hardiness acts as a resilience factor against symptoms development. |
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| Keywords: | Hardiness resilience avoidance coping combat exposure PTSD symptoms international operations |
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