The influence of trauma-related shame on the associations between posttraumatic symptoms and impulsivity facets

The co-occurrence of posttraumatic symptoms (PTS) and impulsivity is associated with higher levels of risky and self-destructive behaviors and consequent safety and health risks. Trauma-related shame (TRS) may influence the association between PTS and impulsivity such that engaging in impulsive behaviors may serve to cope with emotional distress. Alternatively, TRS may motivate a deliberate consideration of behaviors (i.e., less impulsivity) to prevent further cognitive and emotional distress.

The goal of the current study was to examine the influence of TRS on the associations between PTS and impulsivity facets (lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, negative urgency, positive urgency, sensation seeking).

Data were collected from 506 community individuals who endorsed lifetime sexual trauma (M_age = 34.56, 54.3% women, 78.7% White).

Findings indicated that TRS moderated associations between PTS and impulsivity facets of lack of perseverance, b = -.001, SE = .0003; t = -2.68, p = .008, 95% confidence interval [-.001, -.0002], and premeditation, b = -.001, SE = .0003; t = -3.70, p < .001, [-.002, -.001]; these associations were significant at low, but not high, levels of TRS.

Findings suggest that in the context of PTS, TRS may reduce certain forms of impulsivity, potentially as a means to self-protect against further cognitive and emotional distress. Findings have important implications for understanding how individuals regulate and respond to shame in the context of PTS. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).