Broad Clinical Phenotype and Facets of Emotion Regulation in Interpersonal Trauma Survivors

This study examines broad-based psychopathology in a community sample of female survivors of interpersonal trauma. The extent to which facets of emotion regulation predict symptom presentation among this population is examined.

Hierarchical cluster analysis examining symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, somatization, and alcohol abuse was used to identify symptom clusters in an ethnically diverse sample (N = 205).

Approximately 17% of the sample fell into a severe symptom group characterized by clinical levels of distress across all four disorders. The largest group (46%) was marked by subclinical distress across all four disorders, while the final group (37%) reported subclinical distress, but with a relative absence of alcohol abuse. Of the 6 emotion regulation subscales from the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (Gratz & Roemer, 2004), 2 consistently predicted group membership: nonacceptance and impulsivity.

Cluster analyses revealed symptom clusters that may vary in their appropriateness for current posttrauma interventions. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.