Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and injury: the moderating role of perceived social support and coping for young adults

Individuals who experience a traumatic event are at risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present investigation examined (1) the relationship between PTSD symptoms and perceived injury sustained during a traumatic event, and (2) the moderational roles of the survivor’s coping behaviors and perceived support on the injury-PTSD relationship. A sample of college students completed self-report measures describing the trauma, coping styles, support, and PTSD symptoms. Results indicated that the degree of perceived injury significantly predicted levels of PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, individuals who self-reported more severe levels of injury reported less severe PTSD symptoms when they also perceived more friend support or utilized interpersonal styles of coping. These findings emphasize the value of perceiving and seeking support for survivors of traumatic events.