The effect of self efficacy and meaning in life on posttraumatic stress disorder and depression severity among veterans
- PMID: 25270887
- DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22133
The effect of self efficacy and meaning in life on posttraumatic stress disorder and depression severity among veterans
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.
© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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