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The impact of emotion regulation and dyadic coping within posttraumatic stress symptoms and risky drinking patterns on relationship distress among trauma‐exposed individuals

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Individuals with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) often consume alcohol to manage PTSS-related discomfort, which can negatively impact individual and interpersonal functioning. Processes including emotion regulation and dyadic coping may influence the effects of PTSS and drinking patterns on relationship functioning. The present study examined how PTSS and risky drinking may function through the associations between maladaptive individual and interpersonal coping strategies and relationship distress among trauma-exposed individuals. Participants were 237 adults in a romantic relationship who endorsed lifetime trauma exposure and alcohol consumption within the past year and completed an online battery of self-report measures. Path analyses showed mixed support for the hypothesized theoretical causal model. PTSS was associated with maladaptive emotion regulation, β = .537, p = .010, and negative dyadic coping, β = .264, p = .009, whereas risky drinking was only related to negative dyadic coping, β = .193, p = .024. Negative dyadic coping was significant in the pathways between PTSS and relationship distress, β = .021, p = .009, and risky drinking and relationship distress, β = .030, p = .014. Exploratory analyses based on trauma type did not significantly change the overall model; however, a direct path suggested PTSS may have a stronger negative impact on relationship distress among individuals who experienced assault trauma (e.g., physical or sexual assault), β = .340, p = .012. Findings highlight the interrelations among intra- and interpersonal regulation and provide clinical targets of maladaptive emotion regulation and dyadic coping strategies for individuals with PTSS and harmful drinking.

Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress

DOI: 10.1002/jts.23057

Authors: Eileen P. Barden, Richard E. Mattson, Nadine Mastroleo, Christina Balderrama‐Durbin

Institutions: VA Boston Healthcare System, Binghamton University

Language: English

Topic: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Institute of Mental Health