Coping, family social support, and psychological symptoms among student veterans
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Romero, D. H., Riggs, S. A., & Ruggero, C. (2015). Coping, family social support, and psychological symptoms among student veterans. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 62(2), 242–252. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000061
Abstract Created by REACH:
Iraq and Afghanistan student Veterans participated in a study examining the contributions of coping style and family social support on mental health symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress). Higher levels of support from family related to lower levels of depression and anxiety. Veterans who used more avoidant coping techniques (avoiding or denying problems) had higher levels of PTSD symptoms.
Focus:
Mental health
Other
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Navy
Marine Corps
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Military families
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Methodology:
Empirical Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Romero, Daniel H., Riggs, Shelley A., Ruggero, Camilo
Abstract:
With rising numbers of student veterans on today’s college campuses, multicultural competence in college counseling centers increasingly includes an understanding of military culture and its relation to the psychological health and functioning of student veterans. Research on interpersonal and intrapersonal factors associated with college student veterans’ mental health is scarce. The current study examines the contributions of coping style and family social support on symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress in a student veteran sample. We also tested the moderating role of family social support in the relationship between coping style and psychological symptoms. Data from 136 student veterans were analyzed by using path analysis. Results revealed that avoidant coping and family social support significantly predicted depressive and anxiety symptoms. Avoidant coping also significantly predicted posttraumatic stress symptoms. In addition, findings indicated that family social support moderated the relationship between problem-focused coping and depression, as well as between avoidant coping and symptoms of anxiety and depression but not posttraumatic stress. Implications of results for college and university counselors are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
American Psychological Association
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, DHR
Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, SAR
Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, CR
Keywords:
college students, coping behavior, family relations, military veterans, posttraumatic stress disorder, social support, stress, symptoms
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary