Abstract
The aim of the present study was to see the predictive role of coping strategies in psychological distress and Post Traumatic Growth among 1862 individuals exposed to floods 2010 in Pakistan. The age range of the participants was 15 to 66 years (M = 28.25, SD = 9.59), with participation of both men and women. Data was collected during midmarch 2013 to May 2013. Brief Cope inventory, Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS) Scale and Post Traumatic Growth Inventory were used to measure the Coping Strategies, Psychological Distress and Post Traumatic Growth (PTG), respectively. Hierarchical multiple regression demonstrated that after controlling the effect of gender, age, education, and marital status; coping strategies such as, self-distraction, denial, substance use coping, behavioural disengagement, venting, humour and self-blame coping accounted for 33 % of the variance in psychological distress. While, active coping, use instrumental support coping, positive reframing, planning, religious coping, and acceptance coping accounted for 31% of the variance in PTG. Moreover, psychological distress and Post Traumatic Growth were marginally correlated. Findings have implications for clinical interventions. Interventions for flood affected individuals ought to be planned while keeping in mind coping strategies. Cross sectional nature of the study, use of self-report measures and non-probability sampling are the limitations of the study.
Highlights
There is considerable variation in psychological reactions to natural disasters, with responses ranging from relatively mild and transitory symptoms to severe and persistent psychological distress [1]
Data was analysed by using PASW 18
Results showed that Posttraumatic growth is strongly positively associated with the selfdistraction, active coping, instrumental support, positive reframing, planning, religious coping and emotional support coping, while Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) is marginally negatively associated with the substance abuse coping
Summary
There is considerable variation in psychological reactions to natural disasters, with responses ranging from relatively mild and transitory symptoms to severe and persistent psychological distress [1]. After confronting with a stressful situation, individuals would develop some behaviour patterns that are intended to diminish the impact of stressors. Such reactions to stressors are referred to as coping, which has been the subject of extensive examination in psychological research during the past few decades [3]. Coping strategies refers to the specific conscious efforts, both behavioral and mental, that individuals utilize to master, endure, decrease, or minimize stressful events, to deal with personal and interpersonal issues [4]. To cope with the situation, individual may use different coping methods. Individuals make jokes about the situation or make fun of the situation and in substance abuse coping one may use alcohol or other drugs to make one self-feel better or to get through the situation [5]
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