Prospective associations among approach coping, alcohol misuse and psychiatric symptoms among veterans receiving a brief alcohol intervention

Brief alcohol interventions (BAIs) target alcohol consumption and may exert secondary benefits including reduced depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among non-veteran and veteran populations. This study examined whether approach coping, alcohol misuse, and an interaction of these two factors prior to the administration of a BAI (i.e., baseline) would predict depression and PTSD symptoms 6-months post BAI (i.e., follow-up). Veterans (N = 166) received a BAI after screening positive for alcohol misuse during a primary care visit and completed assessments of alcohol misuse, approach coping, and depression and PTSD symptoms at baseline and follow-up. Baseline substance misuse, but not approach coping, significantly predicted depression and PTSD symptoms at follow-up. Approach coping moderated associations between baseline alcohol misuse and psychiatric symptoms: Veterans reporting more alcohol misuse and more (relative to less) approach coping at baseline evidenced fewer psychiatric symptoms at follow-up after accounting for symptoms assessed at baseline.