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Application of the Stressor Vulnerability Model to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Alcohol-Related Problems in an Undergraduate Population

Hruska, Bryce
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1309421500

Abstract Details

2011, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
Research examining the comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) suggests that individuals experiencing PTSD symptoms (PTSS) often drink alcohol as a means to self-medicate their trauma symptoms; however, little attention has been given to moderating variables that may make this association more likely. In the alcohol use literaure, the stressor vulnerability model proposes that being male, relying on maladaptive forms of coping, and holding positive alcohol outcome expectancies predispose individuals to engage in alcohol use when experiencing psychological distress. In the current study, sex, avoidance coping (AVC), tension reduction expectancies (TRE), and emotional relief drinking refusal expectancies (ERDRE) were examined as moderators of the relationship between PTSS and alcohol-related problems in a sample of 144 undergraduates. Results suggested that a stronger positive relationship between PTSS and alcohol-related problems characterized males reporting high levels of TRE (b = 11.47, t [136] = 8.14, p = 0.001) compared to males reporting low levels of TRE (b = 0.12, t [136] = 0.03, p = 0.98), as well as females reporting either high (b =2.93, t [136] = 2.32, p = 0.02) or low levels of TRE (b = 2.52, t [136] = 1.76, p = 0.08). In addition, a stronger positive relationship was observed for individuals reporting high levels of TRE and low levels of ERDRE (b = 5.85, t [136] = 4.81, p < 0.001) compared to individuals reporting high TRE-high ERDRE (b = 2.77, t [136] = 1.61, p = 0.11), low TRE-low ERDRE (b = -1.85, t [136] = -0.75, p = 0.46), or low TRE-high ERDRE (b = 2.19, t [136] = 1.19, p =0.24). Given the modifiability of many of these vulnerability factors, targeting these variables may be an effective way to reduce alcohol use in younger populations experiencing trauma-related distress.
Douglas Delahanty, PhD (Advisor)
Jeffrey Ciesla, PhD (Committee Member)
Manfred van Dulmen, PhD (Committee Member)
John Updegraff, PhD (Committee Member)
55 p.
Psychology
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); Alcohol Problems; Stressor Vulnerability Model

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hruska, B. (2011). Application of the Stressor Vulnerability Model to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Alcohol-Related Problems in an Undergraduate Population [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1309421500

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hruska, Bryce. Application of the Stressor Vulnerability Model to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Alcohol-Related Problems in an Undergraduate Population. 2011. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1309421500.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hruska, Bryce. "Application of the Stressor Vulnerability Model to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Alcohol-Related Problems in an Undergraduate Population." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1309421500

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1309421500
845
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.