Autobiographical integration of trauma memories and repressive coping predict post-traumatic stress symptoms in undergraduate students

T. Smeets*, T.M. Giesbrecht, L. Raymaekers, J. Shaw, H.L.G.J. Merckelbach

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

What differentiates those who are able to adapt well to adverse life events (i.e., persons who are resilient) from those who are not (e.g., persons who develop post-traumatic stress symptoms)? Previous work suggests that enhanced autobiographical integration of trauma memories is associated with more severe post-traumatic stress symptoms. Extending this line of work, the present study looked at whether the integration of trauma memories, repressive coping and cognitive reactivity are related to post-traumatic stress symptomatology following negative life events among otherwise healthy young adults (N = 213). Results show that while enhanced integration of trauma memories and high levels of dissociation are related to elevated levels of post-traumatic stress, people who generally engage in repressive coping report fewer post-traumatic stress symptoms.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)211-218
JournalClinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
Volume17
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2010

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