The Rising of the Shield hero. Development of the Post-Traumatic Symptom Questionnaire (PTSQ) and Assessment of the Protective Effect of self-esteem from trauma-related Anxiety and Depression

Alessandro Alberto Rossi; Anna Panzeri; Federica Taccini; Anna Parola; Stefania Mannarini

doi:10.1007/s40653-022-00503-z

The Rising of the Shield hero. Development of the Post-Traumatic Symptom Questionnaire (PTSQ) and Assessment of the Protective Effect of self-esteem from trauma-related Anxiety and Depression

J Child Adolesc Trauma. 2022 Dec 7;17(1):1-19. doi: 10.1007/s40653-022-00503-z. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Alessandro Alberto Rossi^{1

2}, Anna Panzeri³, Federica Taccini^{2

4}, Anna Parola⁵, Stefania Mannarini^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education, and Applied Psychology, Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
² Interdepartmental Center for Family Research, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
³ Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
⁴ Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
⁵ Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.

PMID: 36532142
PMCID: PMC9734448 (available on 2025-03-01)
DOI: 10.1007/s40653-022-00503-z

Abstract

Background: Adverse life events such as life-threatening accidents, domestic and/or sexual violence, organic diseases (i.e., cancer), or COVID-19 can have a strong traumatic impact - generating reactions as intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, and avoidance. Indeed, the traumatic impact of COVID-19 seems to lead individuals to experience anxiety and depression. However, the Anxiety-Buffer Hypothesis suggests that self-esteem could be considered a shield (buffer) against traumatic experiences and their outcomes (i.e., anxiety and depression). The present study has two objectives. First, to develop a measure of the impact of the traumatic event considering the aforementioned reactions. Second, to test the process - triggered by COVID19-related traumatic experience - in which self-esteem buffers the path that leads to anxiety and depression.

Method: In Study 1 (N = 353), the Post-Traumatic Symptom Questionnaire (PTSQ) was developed and a deep investigation of its psychometric properties was conducted. In Study 2 (N = 445), a structural equation model with latent variables was performed to assess the buffering effect of self-esteem.

Results: The PTSQ has excellent fit indices and psychometric properties. According to the ABH, results confirm the buffering effect of self-esteem in the relationships between traumatic symptoms and both anxiety and depression.

Conclusion: On the one hand, the PTSQ is a solid and reliable instrument. On the other hand, that self-esteem is a protective factor against anxiety and depression related to a traumatic experience - such as COVID-19. Targeted psychological interventions should be implemented to minimize the psychological burden of the illness while promoting adaptation and positive aspects of oneself.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40653-022-00503-z.

Keywords: Anxiety buffer hypothesis; Trauma; anxiety; depression; terror management theory.

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