Coping styles as a mediator between neuropsychological functioning and quality of life outcomes in OEF/OIF Veterans.

Abstract

Veterans have returned from the OEF/OIF combat theatre with a multitude of physical and psychological problems that affect neuropsychological functioning and quality of life (QOL). Often, neuropsychological function is difficult to remedy in treatment, thus a more efficacious treatment would focus on a mediation factor to improve QOL. This study set out to determine whether coping mediated the relationship between neuropsychological functioning and QOL outcomes in Veterans. Participants were 136 men and women enrolled in an ongoing study of returning war Veterans. Results indicated that an active coping style was a full mediator between long-term verbal memory and QOL outcome. Attention and short-term verbal memory were good predictors of quality of life, but were not mediated by coping style. Treatments that include action-focused coping skills may be beneficial, however, cognitive deficits should be accounted for in treatment planning to improve QOL in Veterans.