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Adolescent Girls’ Use of Avoidant and Approach Coping as Moderators Between Trauma Exposure and Trauma Symptoms

  • GENDER ISSUES IN VIOLENCE AND TRAUMA
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Abstract

High rates of child maltreatment demand attention, as exposure to child maltreatment substantially increases the risk of developing PTSD. Some evidence exists that the presence of coping skills may reduce the likelihood that victims of childhood maltreatment will develop PTSD (Agaibi & Wilson, Trauma Violence Abuse 6:195–216, 2005). This study examined whether avoidant and/or approach coping skills moderated the relationship between childhood trauma exposure and trauma symptoms among adolescent females with a history of complex trauma. Results suggest that the use of avoidant coping moderates the relationship between trauma exposure and trauma symptoms. More specifically, girls with higher levels of trauma exposure demonstrated lower levels of trauma symptoms if they reported using higher levels of avoidant coping. Clinical implications for these results are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Meredith Elzy

  2. Department of Mental Health Law, & Policy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Colleen Clark

  3. Department of Child & Family Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Norín Dollard & Victoria Hummer

  4. Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina-Aiken, 471 University Parkway, Aiken, SC, 29801, USA

    Meredith Elzy

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  1. Meredith Elzy
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  2. Colleen Clark
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  3. Norín Dollard
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  4. Victoria Hummer
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Correspondence to Meredith Elzy.

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Elzy, M., Clark, C., Dollard, N. et al. Adolescent Girls’ Use of Avoidant and Approach Coping as Moderators Between Trauma Exposure and Trauma Symptoms. J Fam Viol 28, 763–770 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-013-9546-5

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