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Self‐efficacy and coping style in Iraq and Afghanistan‐era veterans with and without mild traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder
Author(s) -
Sakamoto McKenna S.,
Merritt Victoria C.,
Jurick Sarah M.,
Crocker Laura D.,
Hoffman Samantha N.,
Jak Amy J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.23154
Subject(s) - psychology , coping (psychology) , clinical psychology , psychiatry , population , posttraumatic stress , self efficacy , psychological intervention , medicine , psychotherapist , environmental health
Objective To examine self‐efficacy and coping style in combat‐exposed Veterans with and without mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) history and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods Veterans ( N = 81) were categorized into four groups: comorbid mTBI and PTSD ( n = 23), PTSD‐only ( n = 16), mTBI‐only ( n = 25), and combat‐exposed controls ( n = 17). Outcomes included the Self‐Efficacy for Symptom Management Scale and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced. Results Significant group effects were found on self‐efficacy and coping style, even when adjusting for total mTBIs and psychiatric comorbidities. Post‐hoc analyses revealed that the comorbid and PTSD‐only groups generally had lower self‐efficacy than the mTBI‐only and control groups and that the PTSD‐only group used less action‐focused coping than the mTBI‐only and control groups. Conclusion Our results suggest that self‐efficacy and coping style vary as a function of mTBI history and PTSD status and that it may be important to integrate these malleable factors into interventions for this population.