Work

The role of emotion dysregulation in the association between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among veterans

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Although research has established a link between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs), little is known about factors that may accentuate this relation. This study evaluated the influences of negative and positive emotion dysregulation on the association between PTSD symptoms and STBs among veterans. METHODS: = 38.00, 71.4% male, 69.5% White) completed online questionnaires. RESULTS: Negative emotion dysregulation did not moderate the relation between PTSD symptoms and STBs. Results showed significant interactive effects of PTSD symptoms and positive emotion dysregulation on STBs, such that PTSD symptoms were more strongly related to STBs at high (vs. low) levels of positive emotion dysregulation. This effect was sustained across domains of positive emotion dysregulation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest a potential need to consider positive emotion dysregulation in the assessment and treatment of STBs among veterans with PTSD symptoms.

Source: Journal of Clinical Psychology

DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23084

Authors: Alexa M. Raudales, Nicole H. Weiss, Katherine L. Dixon‐Gordon, Ateka A. Contractor, Heather T. Schatten

Institutions: University of Rhode Island, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of North Texas, Brown University

Language: English

Topic: Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of General Medical Sciences