The Unique Contributions of Positive and Negative Religious Coping to Posttraumatic Growth and PTSD

The current study assessed relationships between religious coping, gender, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic growth (PTG). A sample of 1,016 participants completed measures of these constructs during an online mass testing procedure. Overall, positive religious coping was more strongly related to PTG and negative religious coping was more strongly related to PTSD. These relationships remained significant after controlling for traditional coping methods, gender, and race. In addition, positive religious coping partially mediated the relationship between gender and PTG. Positive correlations were also observed between negative religious coping and PTG and between positive religious coping and PTSD. The role of religious coping in the development of PTG and PTSD is discussed as well as clinical implications.