The impact of coping style, self-efficacy, emotional reaction and resilience on trauma related intrusive thoughts
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-06-2015-0036 |
| Date | 08 August 2016 |
| Published date | 08 August 2016 |
| Pages | 229-239 |
| Author | Hazel McBride,Carol Ireland |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Forensic practice |
The impact of coping style, self-efficacy,
emotional reaction and resilience on
trauma related intrusive thoughts
Hazel McBride and Carol Ireland
Hazel McBride is a Forensic
Psychologist in Training at
Scottish Prison Service, HMP
Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Carol Ireland is a Consultant
Forensic Psychologist at the
School of Psychology,
University of Central
Lancashire, Preston, UK and
CCATS: Coastal Child and
Adult Therapeutic Services,
Poulton-le-Fylde, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of coping style, self-efficacy, resilience and
emotional reaction of trauma-related intrusions in young offenders.
Design/methodology/approach –This is a quantitative study using questionnaires. The sample was
152 young offenders in custody who were approached in their residential hall. Upon agreeing to participate
they were given 24 hours to complete the questionnaire pack and returned these to the researcher at a
designated time and place.
Findings –Over 90 per cent of the sample indicated at least one traumatic event; 33.6 per cent indicated
eight or more. Number of traumatic events did not impact on self-efficacy, resilience or coping strategyused.
The type of coping strategy did not significantly impact on emotional reaction to intrusions across trauma
groups. Participants with higher self-efficacy demonstrated greater problem-focused coping and less
emotional reaction to intrusions. Participants with greater resilience scores utilised more problem and
emotion-focused coping and experienced less emotional reaction to their intrusions. Resilience was
predicted by self-efficacy and emotional reaction to intrusions.
Practical implications –Professionals working with young offenders with trauma-related intrusions should
focus on building strengths in the areas of problem-focused coping, self-efficacy and resilience.
Originality/value –This paper adds to the literature on trauma in male young offenders by looking at
psychological factors which could be developed upon to improve ability to manage intrusive thoughts.
Keywords Resilience, Trauma, Coping, Self-efficacy, Emotional reaction, Intrusive thoughts
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Trauma is viewed as an emotional reaction to a serious event such as an accident, rape or natural
disaster (American Psychiatric Association (APA), 2013). In severe cases this can lead to post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), characterised as re-experiencing, avoiding reminders,
cognitive distortions, negative moods and increased arousal (APA, 2013). Even without PTSD
people trauma can impact and interfere with people’s lives.
Offenderpopulations have a high prevalenceof trauma (research suggests between60 and 92 per
cent: Moore et al., 2013; Abram et al., 2013). In studies of anti-social youth, self-reported trauma
ranges from 70 to 92 per cent with indications that 24-65 per cent have PTSD (McMackin et al.,
1998). In total, 84 per centof juvenile offenders in America had experienced multiple traumas and
56.8 per cent were exposed tosix or more traumatic events (Abram et al., 2004). These findings
indicate that trauma is a prevalent feature in young offenders. Literature in this area often
focuses on individuals with mental illness or on female offenders which limits generalisability.
Received 23 June 2015
Revised 21 July 2015
Accepted 22 July 2015
DOI 10.1108/JFP-06-2015-0036 VOL. 18 NO. 3 2016, pp. 229-239, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8794
j
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE
j
PAG E 22 9
To continue reading
Request your trial