title: Coping self-efficacy perceptions as a mediator between acute stress response and long-term distress following natural disasters.
abstract: The mediating effect of coping self-efficacy (CSE) perceptions between acute stress responses (ASR) and 1-year distress following two disasters was tested. Between 3 and 8 weeks after the second disaster and again at 1 year, 46 residents completed questionnaires. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and global distress served as outcomes. Multiple regression demonstrated that ASR and Time I CSE were significant predictors of both Time 1 outcomes. Time 1 PTSD symptoms and Time 2 CSE were significant factors for Time 2 PTSD symptoms. Gender was significant for Time 2 PTSD symptoms, but not for Time 2 global distress. Longitudinally, Time 1 CSE predicted Time 2 PTSD symptoms, but not general distress. CSE mediated between ASR and both psychological outcomes at Time 2. Coping self-efficacy perceptions provide a possible intervention target.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 80933-7150, USA. benight@mail.uccs.edu
authors.forename: Charles C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Benight
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Harper
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003120:Colorado; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors