Trait anxiety, resilience, sense of safety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms in adult holocaust offspring and a comparison group in the post-9/11 environment

Material Information

Title:
Trait anxiety, resilience, sense of safety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms in adult holocaust offspring and a comparison group in the post-9/11 environment
Series Title:
Barry University Dissertations -- College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Creator:
Hipler, Joan
Place of Publication:
Miami, Fla.
Publisher:
Barry University
Publication Date:
Language:
English
Physical Description:
xvi, 141 leaves ; 28 cm

Thesis/Dissertation Information

Degree Disciplines:
Nursing

Notes

Abstract:
Background: Terrorism and the events of 9/11 have eroded Americans’ security and safety. In response to events not typically considered traumatic, American Holocaust offspring are more vulnerable to psychological distress than non-Holocaust offspring and appear to develop posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. However, resilience and protective factors provide counterbalances to vulnerability and risk factors. Purpose: This study tested three hypotheses: Holocaust offspring (n = 62) would have higher trait anxiety, resilience, and posttraumatic symptoms and a lower sense of safety than non-Holocaust offspring (n = 63); Holocaust offspring status, trait anxiety, sense of safety, and resilience scores would have predictive values regarding posttraumatic stress symptoms; resilience would moderate the relationship between sense of safety and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Conceptual Framework: The conceptual frameworks were risk and resilience, safety, and state and trait anxiety. Methods: A descriptive comparative research study design was utilized for Hypothesis 1. A correlational design was used for Hypotheses 2 and 3. Hierarchal regression determined the relationship among variables, with resilience as a moderator variable. A 91-item questionnaire included the Trait Anxiety Scale; Sense of Safety Regarding Terrorism Scale; Resilience Scale for Adults, first use in the United States; PTSD Checklist, Civilian Version; and a demographic instrument. Results: Hypothesis 1 was partially supported: Holocaust offspring had higher levels of trait anxiety (p < .01) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (p < .01) and lower levels of resilience (p < .01) than non-Holocaust offspring. No differences were found on sense of safety regarding terrorism. Hypothesis 2 was partially supported: trait anxiety (p < .01) and sense of safety regarding terrorism (p < .01) were significantly related to posttraumatic stress symptoms. Hypothesis 3 was not supported: resilience did not moderate between sense of safety regarding terrorism and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Conclusions: This study supported the transmission of Holocaust trauma from survivors to offspring and the theory of residual stress. Fifty-two percent of the variance for posttraumatic stress symptom scores was explained by trait anxiety, sense of safety regarding terrorism, and resilience scores. Nursing implications include further research on factors contributing to lower resilience and higher vulnerabilities in Holocaust offspring.
Thesis:
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Barry University, 2008.
Bibliography:
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-107).

Record Information

Source Institution:
Barry University
Holding Location:
Barry University Archives and Special Collections
Rights Management:
Copyright Joan Hipler. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Resource Identifier:
RC552.P67 H56 2008_HiplerJoan ( BU-Local )
Classification:
RC552.P67 H56 2008 ( lcc )

BUDC Membership

Aggregations:
Barry University
Theses and Dissertations