Instrument
PTSD
symptoms were assessed using the revised Impact of Event Scale-Revised
(IES-R) (Weiss, 2007). The IES-R is a 22-item self-report measure
consisting of three subscales: reexperiencing, avoidance, and
hyperarousal. All items are rated on a five-point scale ranging from 0
(not at all) to 4 (extremely). A total score greater than 12 has been
reported to predict clinical symptoms of PTSD, and higher total scores
indicate more severe symptoms (Sheen, Spiby, & Slade, 2015). The full
score in this sample demonstrates excellent internal consistency
(Cronbach
α = 0.912).
Mindfulness was assessed using the Chinese version of the Mindfulness
Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) (Deng et al., 2012). The MAAS was
widely used to assess individuals’ awareness of the present moment and
their level of attention. It consists of a 15-item scale with a range
from 1 (almost always) to 6 (almost never); higher scores indicate
higher state mindfulness. The Cronbach’s alpha of MAAS was 0.903 in this
study, indicating a high level of internal consistency.
Emotional exhaustion was assessed using the emotional exhaustion
subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) created by Maslach and
Jackson (1981). The emotional exhaustion subscale consisted of 9 items,
which were rated on a Likert scale ranging from 0 “never” to 6 “every
day”. Higher scores indicated higher frequencies of experienced
emotional exhaustion. The scale showed excellent internal consistency
(Cronbach’s alpha = 0.972) in this sample.
Coping styles were evaluated using the Simple Coping Style Questionnaire
(SCSQ) (Yaning, 1988). The SCSQ was widely used to measure participants’
coping styles in response to life events. This questionnaire consists of
12 items
related
to positive coping and 8 items related to negative coping, with a
response range from 0 (never) to 3 (always). The higher the
one-dimensional scores, the more individuals tended to adopt this kind
of coping style. The Cronbach’s alpha for the positive coping style and
the negative coping style was 0.932 and 0.895, respectively, in this
sample.