Use of Religious Coping Strategies After Trauma Exposure as Predictors of Alcohol Use And Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress in College Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the use of religious coping strategies after traumatic experiences is associated with alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Findings from the present study revealed that employing positive religious coping strategies after traumatic experiences was associated with less alcohol consumption and fewer alcohol-related problems. Moreover, the use of negative religious coping methods after trauma was associated with more symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Overall, it appears that findings from the present study provide support that the use of religious coping strategies after trauma exposure may be associated with alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among college students.