Inner Representations, Coping, and Posttraumatic Stress Symptomatology in a Community Sample of Trauma Survivors

Abstract

To assess whether coping styles mediated the relation between inner representations and posttraumatic stress symptomatology, a community sample of self-defined trauma survivors (N = 95) completed the World Assumptions Scale, Ways of Coping Checklist—Revised, and Trauma Symptom Inventory. Regression analyses indicted that individuals with more positive inner representations reported experiencing less symptomatology and tended to use more active and less passive coping strategies. Furthermore, the relation between inner representations and the extent of symptomatology was mediated through the use of passive coping strategies, although the latter 2 variables were likely reciprocally related. The implications of these findings for the well-being of trauma survivors were discussed.