Extending our Understanding of the Association between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Positive Emotion Dysregulation: A Network Analysis Approach

Publication date: Available online 12 February 2020Source: Journal of Anxiety DisordersAuthor(s): Nicole H. Weiss, Ateka A. Contractor, Alexa M. Raudales, Talya Greene, Nicole A. ShortAbstractPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has empirically-established associations with positive emotion dysregulation. Extending existing research, we utilized a network approach to examine relations between PTSD symptom clusters (intrusions, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood [NACM], alterations in arousal and reactivity [AAR]) and positive emotion dysregulation dimensions (nonacceptance, impulse control, goal-directed behavior). We identified (1) differential relations of PTSD symptom clusters with positive emotion dysregulation, and (2) central symptoms accounting for the PTSD and positive emotion dysregulation inter-group interconnections. Participants were 371 trauma-exposed community individuals (Mage = 43.68; 70.9% females; 34.5% white). We estimated a regularized Gaussian Graphic Model comprising four nodes representing the PTSD symptom clusters and three nodes representing positive emotion dysregulation dimensions. Study results indicated the key role of AAR and intrusions clusters in the PTSD group and impulse control difficulties in the positive emotion dysregulation group. Regarding cross-group connectivity patterns, findings indicate the pivotal role of AAR in positive emotion dysregulation dimensions and nonacceptance of positive emotions and impairment in g...
Source: Journal of Anxiety Disorders - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research