title: Social problem solving strategies and posttraumatic stress disorder in the aftermath of intimate partner violence.
abstract: Social factors are often associated with the development or maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of interpersonal traumas. However, social problem solving strategies have received little attention. The current study explored the role of social problem solving styles (i.e., rational approaches, impulsive/careless strategies, or avoidance strategies) as intermediary variables between abuse exposure and PTSD severity among intimate partner violence survivors. Avoidance problem solving served as an intermediating variable for the relationship between three types of abuse and PTSD severity. Rational and impulsive/careless strategies were not associated with abuse exposure. These findings extend the current understanding of social problem solving among interpersonal trauma survivors and are consistent with more general avoidance coping research. Future research might examine whether avoidance problem solving tends to evolve in the aftermath of trauma or whether it represents a longstanding risk factor for PTSD development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA. Electronic address: cmreich@memphis.edu.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Náthali
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Blackwell
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA. Electronic address: jgbeck@memphis.edu.
authors.forename: J Gayle
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Beck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D011340:Problem Solving; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors
keywords: Avoidance; Domestic violence; Interpersonal trauma; Intimate partner abuse; PTSD; Physical abuse; Problem solving; Psychological abuse; Sexual abuse