MODES OF LONG-TERM COPING WITH TRAUMA MEMORIES - RELATIVE USE AND ASSOCIATIONS WITH PERSONALITY AMONG VIETNAM VETERANS WITH CHRONIC PTSD

Little is known about how individuals who develop chronic posttraumati c stress disorder (PTSD) cope with recurring trauma memories, or how e nduring personality characteristics influence such coping. Focusing on 110 hospitalized Vietnam combat veterans with chronic PTSD, this expl oratory study assessed the relative frequency of using eight ways of c oping with war memories, and associations between relative use of thes e strategies and eight dysfunctional personality styles. As a secondar y issue, associations between coping strategies, combat exposure, and PTSD severity were also examined. Consistent with prior findings, thes e veterans predominantly wed emotion-focused and avoidant strategies t o cope with war memories. Differing personality styles and relative us e or nonuse of particular coping strategies were also associated in ps ychologically coherent ways. These preliminary findings are discussed in relation to methodologic and future research issues.