Counterfactual Thinking, Coping Strategies, and Coping Resources as Predictors of PTSD Diagnosed in Physically Injured Victims of Terror Attacks

Abstract

The current study aimed to predict the effects of counterfactuals, coping strategies, coping resources, and event variables on the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The sample comprised 176 Israelis who were physically injured in terror attacks. Of the sample, 96 (55%) were diagnosed with PTSD and 80 (45%) were not. The main findings indicated that upward counterfactuals play an important role in a diagnosis of PTSD, along with emotion-focused coping, social support, trauma perception, and time since event. Victims who used a high level of upward counterfactual thinking tended to use emotion-focused strategies, had less social support, perceived the trauma as acute, and experienced the event more recently. This may have an impact on a diagnosis of PTSD.