Hope, optimism, self‐efficacy, and posttraumatic stress disorder: A meta‐analytic review of the protective effects of positive expectancies
2019/11/12 by Matthew W. Gallagher, Laura J. Long, Colleen A. Phillips · 252 citations
Medicine · Psychology · #Clinical psychology #Coping (psychology) #Internal medicine #MEDLINE #Medicine #Meta-analysis #Optimism #Optimism, Hope, and Well-being #Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research #Posttraumatic stress #PsycINFO #Psychological resilience #Psychology #Psychotherapist #Resilience and Mental Health #Self-efficacy
paper · doi:10.1002/jclp.22882
published in Journal of Clinical Psychology 76(3), 329-355 (Wiley)
openalex publication_date 2019/11/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The present meta-analysis consolidated research examining how positive expectancies (e.g., hope, self-efficacy, and optimism) may protect against the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHOD: Articles were identified by searching PILOTS, PsycINFO, PubMed, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses databases. RESULTS: Aggregated results from 154 studies indicated that positive expectancies were associated with lower levels of PTSD symptoms. This relationship was stronger for coping-specific self-efficacy (k = 38, r = -.49; -.54 to -.43) and hope (k = 20, r = -.34; -.39 to -.28) compared with general self-efficacy (k = 45, r = -.25; -.30 to -.20) and optimism (k = 59, r = -.29; -.33 to -.25) when examining cross-sectional studies, and results were consistent in prospective studies. Age and gender did not moderate the cross-sectional relationships. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that positive expectancies predict post-trauma resilience. Future research should identify moderators and examine positive expectancies as mechanisms of change in therapy.
Citations
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