Learned helplessness attributional style as a predictor of and a precursor to post-traumatic stress disorder: Individual and family considerations

Abstract

A sample of undergraduate and graduate students (N = 290) was examined with respect to their learned helplessness attributional style and traumatic events which have occurred in their lives. Special attention bas given to the negative attributional characteristics (internal, stable and global attributions). Each participant was evaluated in terms of positive and negative attributional style scores; above-average and below-average post-traumatic stress disorder scores; other secondary stressor events and demographics. The hypotheses were able to account for 86 percent of the sample yet the statistical analyses indicate: (1) negative attributional style scores are not convincing predictors of above-average post-traumatic stress disorder scores; (2) positive attributional style scores are not convincing predictors of below average post-traumatic stress disorder scores and (3) the Brief Symptom Inventory score is a satisfactory predictor of an above-average post-traumatic stress disorder score. Qualitative arguments are made for negative attributional style as a potential precursor to the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder