The role of fortitude in psychological outcome in relation to traumatic events experienced by young adults
Year: 2019
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The role of fortitude in psychological outcome in relation to traumatic events experienced by young adults ABSTRACT Objective: It is commonly known that South African society is characterised by high rates of exposure to violence and traumatic events.However, there is a convincing body of knowledge that indicates that a significant proportion of young adults exposed to traumatic events do not develop negative, trauma-related symptoms, but rather adapt in a positive manner.This has led subsequent research to shift in a more optimistic direction, identifying elements that promote coping.The current study focused on the role of fortitude in relation to traumatic events experienced by young adults who attend the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in Cape Town, South Africa.Fortitude emanates from the strengths perspective and is defined as the strength gained from positive cognitive appraisals of one's self, one's family and external social support one receives.Method: Young adults (n=218) completed The Life Events Checklist-5 (LEC-5), The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and the Fortitude Questionnaire (FORQ).Results: Interestingly, results indicated that this cohort of university students were notably vulnerable as opposed to previous literature findings, which suggests that university/college students are particularly resilient.Another significant finding of the study included gender differences with regards to exposure and reporting of traumatic events.Furthermore, moderated regression analysis demonstrated that fortitude plays a health-sustaining and stress-buffering role.Young adults (university students) who displayed high levels of fortitude had lower levels of trauma symptoms concerning exposure to traumatic events (stress-buffering) and were able to http://etd.uwc.ac.za/ maintain their degrees of wellbeing irrespective of the nature and extent of such exposure (health-sustaining).Conclusion: The study provides evidence for fortitude as a protective factor and highlights the role of specific cognitive appraisals (associated with fortitude) in facilitating adaptation in relation to exposure to traumatic events.Overall, the study emphasizes the significance of using clinical interventions that aim to strengthen coping mechanisms and combat problematic cognitive appraisals.
Author: Cayli Wiid
Language: English
Topic: Resilience and Mental Health
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3111643421