Theories about coping with potential trauma have emphasized the importance of concerted focus on processing the traumatic event. However, empirical evidence also suggests that it may be salubrious to distract oneself, remain optimistic, and focus on moving past the event. These seemingly contradictory perspectives are integrated in the concept of coping flexibility.

There is growing evidence that deficits in emotion regulation may be at the heart of maladaptive reactions after bereavement. Expressive flexibility, or the ability to flexibly enhance or suppress emotional expression, appears to be especially important for adjustment in the aftermath of highly aversive events (Bonanno, Papa, Lalande, Westphal, & Coifman, 2004). In this study, we compared expressive flexibility in a sample of bereaved adults who lost their spouse 1.5-3 years earlier and a comparable sample of married adults.

The Clinical Manual for Management of PTSD has latest information on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This manual covers a topics relevant to clinical practice and addresses basic, specific aspects of diagnosis and treatment. This manual tries to bridge gap between research community and clinician by providing clinically relevant information.

Background: Little research has been conducted on the factors that may explain the higher rates of mental health problems in United States National Guard soldiers who have deployed to the Iraq War. Aims: To examine whether financial hardship, job loss, employer support and the effect of deployment absence on co-workers were associated with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 4034 National Guard soldiers at two time points. All measures were assessed by self-report.