Role of Meaning in the Prediction of Depressive Symptoms Among Trauma-Exposed and Nontrauma-Exposed Emerging Adults

Objectives This study investigated the role of searching for meaning, finding meaning, trauma exposure, and their interaction in the prediction of depressive symptoms among trauma‐exposed and nontrauma‐exposed emerging adults. Method Eight thousand seven hundred and eighty‐four college students (73%...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical psychology 2013-12, Vol.69 (12), p.1269-1283
Main Authors: Woo, Candice R. S., Brown, Elissa J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological - physiology
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Adults
Biological and medical sciences
College students
Depression
Depression - psychology
Female
Humans
Life Change Events
Male
Medical sciences
Mental depression
Miscellaneous
Mood disorders
Predictive Value of Tests
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Regression analysis
Stress Disorders, Traumatic - psychology
Trauma
Young Adult
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Summary:Objectives This study investigated the role of searching for meaning, finding meaning, trauma exposure, and their interaction in the prediction of depressive symptoms among trauma‐exposed and nontrauma‐exposed emerging adults. Method Eight thousand seven hundred and eighty‐four college students (73% female; mean age of 19.8 years) completed self‐report measures. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the three‐way interaction in the prediction of depressive symptoms. Results Searching for and finding meaning as well as the three‐way interaction significantly contributed to the prediction of depression. Specifically, searching for meaning was associated with increased symptoms, irrespective of meaning levels among nontrauma‐exposed and low frequency trauma‐exposed emerging adults. Among high frequency trauma‐exposed individuals, an increase in the search‐by‐find meaning interaction predicted fewer symptoms. Conclusions The findings suggest that searching for and finding meaning are important mechanisms in the prediction of depression among emerging adults facing daily stressors and traumatic events. Clinical implications are discussed.
ISSN:0021-9762
1097-4679
DOI:10.1002/jclp.22002