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. 2015 Mar;71(3):219-28.
doi: 10.1002/jclp.22133. Epub 2014 Sep 30.

The effect of self efficacy and meaning in life on posttraumatic stress disorder and depression severity among veterans

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The effect of self efficacy and meaning in life on posttraumatic stress disorder and depression severity among veterans

Laura Blackburn et al. J Clin Psychol. 2015 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: The current study examined the relationships among combat exposure, presence of and search for meaning in life, general and social self-efficacy, and both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptom severity for a Veteran sample (N = 93).

Method: Participants completed an online survey comprising the Combat Exposure Scale, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, Self-Efficacy Scale, Depression subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales-21, and PTSD Checklist-Specific Stressor version. The majority of participants were male and Caucasian. Participants served in various service eras

Results: To determine factors that predicted PTSD and depression severity, separate hierarchical linear regressions were performed. In the final PTSD model, rank, combat exposure, and general self-efficacy were significant predictors, with officer rank, lower combat exposure, and higher general self-efficacy associated with lower PTSD severity. The interaction between combat exposure and general self-efficacy was also significant, with self-efficacy moderating the relationship between combat exposure and PTSD severity. For depression, rank, presence of meaning in life, and general self-efficacy were significant predictors in the model, with officer rank, higher presence of meaning in life, and general self-efficacy associated with lower depression severity.

Conclusion: A focus on strengthening self-efficacy may assist with lower levels of PTSD and depression symptomatology after combat trauma.

Keywords: depression; meaning in life; military Veterans; posttraumatic stress disorder; self-efficacy.

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