Posttraumatic stress, depression, and subjective social status: Potential moderating effects of optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy.

Objective

To investigate how optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy may potentially moderate the relationships between subjective social status (SSS) and posttraumatic stress (PTSS) and depression symptom severity among trauma-exposed undergraduate students.

Participants

382 undergraduate students reported experiencing at least one traumatic event.

Methods

Participants completed online measures assessing trauma history, SSS, PTSS, and depression symptoms, and potential psychological resources of optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy.

Results

Low SSS predicted more severe depression symptoms after controlling for SES. After controlling for SES and SSS, low optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy were significant predictors of higher depression symptom severity. Low optimism and resilience were the only significant predictors of higher PTSS. The relationships between SSS and PTSS and depression symptom severity were not moderated by optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy.

Conclusions

Treatment for young adult trauma survivors should focus on addressing low SSS and enhancing optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy across social classes.