Abstract
Objectives: This study examined the extent to
which the occurrence of post-traumatic stress
(PTS) was associated with aspects of the
individual’s family environment. It was predicted
that a positive, supportive family environment
may be associated with a lower incidence of PTS
in a student population.
Design: A questionnaire study.
Method: Participants were an opportunity sample
of 123 female and 77 male students in higher
education. Each participant completed a copy of
the Family Environment Scale (FES) and the
Watson et al. (1991) PTSD-I questionnaire, which
closely mirrors DSM IV criteria for Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder.
Results: The initial analysis was by means of a 2
(sex) x 2 (PTS vs. PTS) analysis of variance.
There was a significant interaction effect
(F(1,196) = 7.23, p<.01). Males classified with
PTS had much lower FES scores than males
classified as non-PTS. There were no differences
in FES scores between the female PTS and nonPTS groups. Further analyses examine the
relationship between specific aspects of family
environment measured by the FES and their
relation to PTS classification.
Conclusions: Consideration is given to the idea
that positive family environments may buffer
against PTS for males. As research typically
indicates that females have closer, more intimate
relationships than males, this general pattern of
female relationships might mean that they are
less vulnerable to poor family relationships which
could otherwise give vulnerability to traumatising
events
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - Apr 2001 |
Event | British Psychological Society (BPS) Annual Conference - Glasgow, United Kingdom Duration: 1 Apr 2001 → … |
Conference
Conference | British Psychological Society (BPS) Annual Conference |
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Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
City | Glasgow |
Period | 1/04/01 → … |