PTSD symptom heterogeneity and alcohol-related outcomes in U.S. military veterans: Indirect associations with coping strategies
APA Citation:
Palmisano, A. N., Norman, S. B., Panza, K. E., Petrakis, I. L., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2022). PTSD symptom heterogeneity and alcohol-related outcomes in U.S. military veterans: Indirect associations with coping strategies. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 85, 102496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102496
Focus:
Substance use
Mental health
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Army
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Coast Guard
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Cross-Sectional Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Palmisano, Alexandra N., Norman, Sonya B., Panza, Kaitlyn E., Petrakis, Ismene L., Pietrzak, Robert H.
Abstract:
Introduction This study investigated the role of coping strategies in mediating the relationship between the 7-factor model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and alcohol misuse in veterans. Methods Data were analyzed from 615 veterans from a nationally representative study of U.S. veterans who met criteria for probable full or subthreshold PTSD. Path analyses examined the role of self-sufficient, socially-supported, and avoidant coping strategies in mediating associations between PTSD symptom clusters and alcohol use disorder (AUD), alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related consequences. Results Negative affect PTSD symptoms were associated with AUD through increased use of avoidant coping. Additionally, dysphoric arousal PTSD symptoms were associated with AUD; avoidant coping was associated with AUD and increased alcohol consumption; self-sufficient coping was associated with reduced AUD likelihood anhedonia symptoms with decreased use of self-sufficient coping; and negative affect with decreased use of socially-supported coping and increased use of avoidant coping. Conclusions Results underscore the importance of avoidant coping strategies as potential mediators of the relation between PTSD symptoms and AUD. Interventions designed to mitigate engagement in avoidant coping strategies, and to bolster engagement in self-sufficient and socially-supported strategies may help reduce alcohol misuse in veterans with full or subthreshold PTSD.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Elsevier
Publication Type:
Article
Author Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, AP
US Department of Veteran Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, SN
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, KP
VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, IP
US Department of Veteran Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, RP
Keywords:
alcohol consequences, alcohol use disorder, alcohol consumption, coping, posttraumatic stress disorder, veterans