title: The effect of self efficacy and meaning in life on posttraumatic stress disorder and depression severity among veterans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study examined the relationships among combat exposure, presence of and search for meaning in life, general and social self-efficacy, and both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptom severity for a Veteran sample (N = 93).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed an online survey comprising the Combat Exposure Scale, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Self-Efficacy Scale, Depression subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales-21, and PTSD Checklist-Specific Stressor version. The majority of participants were male and Caucasian. Participants served in various service eras
  
  
  RESULTS
  To determine factors that predicted PTSD and depression severity, separate hierarchical linear regressions were performed. In the final PTSD model, rank, combat exposure, and general self-efficacy were significant predictors, with officer rank, lower combat exposure, and higher general self-efficacy associated with lower PTSD severity. The interaction between combat exposure and general self-efficacy was also significant, with self-efficacy moderating the relationship between combat exposure and PTSD severity. For depression, rank, presence of meaning in life, and general self-efficacy were significant predictors in the model, with officer rank, higher presence of meaning in life, and general self-efficacy associated with lower depression severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A focus on strengthening self-efficacy may assist with lower levels of PTSD and depression symptomatology after combat trauma.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blackburn
authors.forename: Gina P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Owens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008016:Life Change Events; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: depression; meaning in life; military Veterans; posttraumatic stress disorder; self-efficacy