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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Aggression: The Role of Emotion Regulation
Miracle R Potter1, Danielle M Morabito2, Norman B Schmidt1
1Florida State University, Tallahassee, USA.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
|January 24, 2026
Summary
Emotion regulation (ER) difficulties link posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms to aggression, supporting the information processing model. ER may be a treatment target for PTSD and aggression.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Mental Health
Background:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is linked to increased aggression.
- Emotion regulation (ER) difficulties are present in both PTSD and aggression.
- Existing models propose conflicting roles for ER in this relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine the relationship between PTSD, ER, and aggression in trauma-exposed civilians.
- Test the information processing and I³ models of the PTSD-aggression link.
- Investigate the influence of gender and trauma type on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Moderation and mediation analyses were employed.
- Examined interactive and indirect effects of trauma and ER on aggression.
- Assessed alternative mediators and moderators for model specificity.
Main Results:
- ER did not moderate the PTSD-aggression relationship, contradicting the I³ model.
- ER fully mediated the PTSD-aggression link, supporting the information processing model.
- Trauma type and gender did not affect the indirect effect of ER.
Conclusions:
- ER difficulties do not directly increase aggression but mediate the PTSD-aggression association.
- ER may serve as a crucial link explaining aggression in PTSD.
- Targeting ER could benefit treatment for comorbid PTSD and aggression.
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