ARE COPING STRATEGIES, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND HOPE ASSOCIATED WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG HURRICANE KATRINA SURVIVORS?

This study examined the relation of coping strategies, social support, and hope to psychological distress [symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and general distress] among Hurricane Katrina survivors. The research questions concerned whether different coping strategies (problem-focused or avoidant coping), perceptions of social support, and hope were associated with psychological distress within this sample, as well as whether level of hope moderated the relations between coping/social support and psychological distress. Results indicate that avoidant coping was positively related to PTSD symptoms and general psychological distress, hope was negatively associated with PTSD symptoms and general psychological distress, problem-focused coping was associated with many PTSD symptoms, and social support was associated with low general psychological distress. Hope moderated the relation between avoidant coping and general psychological distress. These results are important for extending research on various psychosocial factors as they relate to psychological distress among a sample of survivors of a major traumatic event.