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Transdiagnostic emotion regulation processes explain how emotion-related factors affect co-occurring PTSD and MDD in
Loren M Post1, Eric Youngstrom2, Arin M Connell1
1Case Western Reserve University, Department of Psychological Sciences, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
Background:
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) co-occur at high rates and greater disorder severity. Studies examining the contributions of specific emotion regulation (ER) processes and negative affect (NA) to PTSD and MDD co-occurrence are scarce. This study investigated a transdiagnostic understanding of the nature of PTSD and MDD co-occurrence by examining the roles of NA, ER processes, and negative mood regulation (NMR) expectancies in PTSD and MDD in relation to trauma.
Methods:
Structural equation modeling was used to examine the roles of emotionality, PTSD, and MDD constructs in 200 individuals with primary PTSD.
Results:
ER processes fully mediated the relationships between NA and PTSD (β = .40, p < .001) and MDD (β = .48, p < .001), and NMR expectancies and PTSD (β = -.31, p < .001) and MDD (β = -.37, p < .001).
Conclusions:
NA and NMR expectancies exert their effects on PTSD and MDD almost entirely through ER processes. ER appears to be a transdiagnostic process, partly accounting for the co-occurrence between PTSD and MDD. Co-occurrence models could benefit by incorporating ER processes to inform diagnostic classification and criteria and clinical intervention improved by specifically targeting ER processes.
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