Two subjective factors as moderators between critical incidents and the occurrence of post traumatic stress disorders: adult attachment and perception of social support.
This paper presents the result of a research which investigated the influence of the subjective factors 'adult attachment style' and 'perception of social support' in the occurrence of post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) in a population of 544 subjects working for a security company and the Belgian Red Cross. The analysis of the results suggests that 'adult attachment style' and 'perception of social support' moderate between a critical incident and the occurrence of a PTSD. In other words, these independent variables differentiate between individuals who are more, and who are less prone, to suffer from a PTSD after having experienced a critical incident. The results of this research shed light on subjective risk factors related to PTSD. The findings can also suggest guidelines for the treatment of individuals suffering from a PTSD.
Declercq
Frédéric
F
Department of Psychoanalysis and Consulting Psychology, Research Centre for Psycho-trauma, Affective Disorders and Forensic Expertise, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. frederic.declercq@ugent.be
Palmans
Vicky
V
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009769:Object Attachment; D018187:Personal Construct Theory; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012011:Red Cross; D012307:Risk Factors; D012637:Security Measures; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology