Modes of long-term coping with trauma memories: Relative use and associations with personality among Vietnam veterans with chronic PTSD

Little is known about how individuals who develop chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cope with recurring trauma memories, or how enduring personality characteristics influence such coping. Focusing on 110 hospitalized Vietnam combat veterans with chronic PTSD, this exploratory study assessed the relative frequency of using eight ways of coping with war memories, and associations between relative use of these strategies and eight dysfunctional personality styles. As a secondary issue, associations between coping strategies, combat exposure, and PTSD severity were also examined. Consistent with prior findings, these veterans predominantly wed emotion-focused and avoidant strategies to cope with war memories. Differing personality styles and relative use or nonuse of particular coping strategies were also associated in psychologically coherent ways. These preliminary findings are discussed in relation to methodologic and future research issues.