Work

Does rumination mediate the relationship between emotion regulation ability and posttraumatic stress disorder?

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Trauma-related rumination has been suggested to be involved in the maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This view has empirically been supported by extensive evidence using cross-sectional, prospective, and experimental designs. However, it is unclear why trauma survivors engage in rumination despite its negative consequences. The current study aimed to explore the hypothesis that low emotion regulation ability underlies trauma-related rumination. METHODS: Emotion regulation ability and trauma-related rumination were assessed in 93 road traffic accident survivors 2 weeks post-trauma. In addition, symptom levels of PTSD were assessed at 2 weeks as well as 1, 3, and 6 months follow-up. RESULTS: Emotion regulation ability was significantly related to trauma-related rumination as well as levels of PTSD symptoms. In addition, the association between low emotion regulation ability and PTSD was mediated by rumination. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the view that rumination is used as a dysfunctional emotion regulation strategy by trauma survivors.

Source: European Journal of Psychotraumatology

DOI: 10.3402/ejpt.v5.23547

Authors: Thomas Ehring, Anke Ehlers

Institutions: University of Münster, University of Oxford

Language: English

Topic: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $287