title: Persistent grief in the aftermath of mass violence: the predictive roles of posttraumatic stress symptoms, self-efficacy, and disrupted worldview.
abstract: This study tested a conceptual model merging anxiety buffer disruption and social-cognitive theories to predict persistent grief severity among students who lost a close friend, significant other, and/or professor/teacher in tragic university campus shootings. A regression-based path model tested posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptom severity 3 to 4 months postshooting (Time 1) as a predictor of grief severity 1 year postshootings (Time 2), both directly and indirectly through cognitive processes (self-efficacy and disrupted worldview). Results revealed a model that predicted 61% of the variance in Time 2 grief severity. Hypotheses were supported, demonstrating that Time 1 PTS severity indirectly, positively predicted Time 2 grief severity through undermining self-efficacy and more severely disrupting worldview. Findings and theoretical interpretation yield important insights for future research and clinical application.
authors: Psychology Department.
authors: Andrew J
authors: AJ
authors: Smith
authors: Psychology Department, North Dakota State University.
authors: Andrew A
authors: AA
authors: Abeyta
authors: Sociology Department, Virginia Tech.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Hughes
authors: Psychology Department.
authors: Russell T
authors: RT
authors: Jones
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult