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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Jennifer Schuster, MA¹, Linda K. Frisman, PhD², and Crystal Park, PhD¹. (1) Psychology, University of Connecticut, 410 Capitol Avenue, MS # 14 RSD, Hartford, CT 06106, 860-418-6773, jennifer.schuster@uconn.edu, (2) CT Dept Mental Health & Addiction Services, Research Division MS # 14 RSD, PO Box 341431, 410 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06134

Research suggests that people may draw strength from adversity and report positive changes following stressful experiences. This is often referred to as “posttraumatic growth”, and has been demonstrated to occur following a variety of traumatic events. However, little research has investigated the impact of PTSD on posttraumatic growth. The current study examined the relationship between PTSD symptoms, coping behaviors, and posttraumatic growth and the effects on physical and mental health outcomes in a population that has not been examined, namely homeless mothers. Due to the high prevalence of trauma in the lives of these individuals, it is expected that posttraumatic growth may occur.

Participants were 72 trauma-exposed homeless women from the Connecticut Homeless Families Study. Measures included the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Brief COPE, Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, Addiction Severity Index, SF-8 (a measure of physical health), and the Brief Symptom Inventory (measuring psychological symptoms).

Preliminary analyses indicate that posttraumatic growth is related to use of adaptive coping strategies and reduced substance use, while avoidant coping is related to increased substance use and poorer mental health. However, women who met criteria for PTSD engaged in more avoidant and fewer active coping behaviors. This suggests that the presence of trauma-related symptoms might interfere with the development of active coping strategies. Clinical interventions such as coping skills training and building access to support networks may promote the active coping associated with posttraumatic growth. Furthermore, clinicians working with trauma survivors can use the concept of posttraumatic growth to identify client strengths that promote recovery.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

• Apply the idea of posttraumatic growth to a homeless population.
• Identify possible outcomes that may be influenced by enhancing coping skills and promoting posttraumatic growth.

Keywords: Coping, Homeless

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation