TRAUMA EXPOSURE AND PTSD SYMPTOMS AMONG HOMELESS MOTHERS: PREDICTING COPING AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES

This longitudinal study investigated associations of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms from prior trauma with coping with a subsequent stressor and with psychological symptoms. Seventy homeless mothers provided information about previous trauma history and posttraumatic stress symptoms at baseline; coping and psychological symptoms were assessed 15 months later. Results revealed moderately high levels of PTSD in this sample. PTSD symptomatology was related to increased avoidant coping, which mediated the relationship between previous trauma and subsequent psychological symptom severity. Implications for future research and interventions to reduce the negative impact of trauma in homeless women are discussed.