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Community Violence Victimization and Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The Moderating Effects of Coping and Social Support

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, ascarpa{at}vt.edu

Sara Chiara Haden

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Jimmy Hurley

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

This study tested the relationship of community violence (CV) victimization to severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the roles of coping style and perceived social support in moderating that relationship. Three-hundred seventy-two men and women (age 18 to 22 years) self-reported on CV exposure, traumatic experiences, PTSD symptoms, perceived support from family and friends, and coping strategies. Results indicated that high CV victimization, high disengagement coping (i.e., avoidant styles), and low perceived social support from family and friends significantly predicted increased PTSD scores. Significant moderating effects indicated that the relationship between victimization and heightened PTSD severity was stronger at high levels of perceived friend support and disengagement. Thus, the protective function of friend support seemed to break down at increasing levels of victimization, whereas, as expected, avoidant styles of coping increased the risk for negative outcome. Findings are discussed in terms of event controllability, negative social reactions, and coping resources.

Key Words: community violence • victimization • social support • coping • post-traumatic stress disorder

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