Cognitive Coping Reduces Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms through Increased Sense of Control, Especially in the Presence of Self-Blame

A longitudinal study of 383 undergraduates who had experienced trauma tested whether cognitive coping strategies reduced post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), whether self-control mediates this effect, and whether self-blame moderates this relationship. Positive reframing and acceptance predicted reduced PTSS by increasing self-control; effects were stronger for those experiencing self-blame.