The moderating effect of psychological flexibility on event centrality in determining trauma outcomes

Boykin, Derrecka M.; Anyanwu, Jacinta; Calvin, Krystle; Orcutt, Holly K.

doi:10.1037/tra0000490

Cited by 45Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchResilience and Mental HealthMemory, History, Trauma, Identity

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The moderating effect of psychological flexibility on event centrality in determining trauma outcomes

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Boykin, Derrecka M., Anyanwu, Jacinta, Calvin, Krystle, Orcutt, Holly K.·2020·Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy

DOI 10.1037/tra0000490

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Emerging research shows that event centrality, or the degree to which trauma is perceived as integral to one's worldviews and personal identity, has a substantial impact on trauma recovery. Given that high centrality fosters both distress and growth, additional research on potential moderators that could better distinguish the course of adjustment is needed. This study examined whether differences in psychological flexibility (or the ability to persist in a behavior despite urges to do otherwise) impacted posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTS) and perceived posttraumatic growth (PTG) as event centrality increased. METHOD: One-hundred and 25 college students (52% female) with a history of trauma exposure were recruited from a large Midwestern university. Participants completed an electronic survey for course credit. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between event centrality and psychological flexibility on PTS severity (B = 2.10, p = .003). A simple slopes analysis revealed that low psychological flexibility was associated with greater PTS severity as event centrality increased. Although event centrality and psychological flexibility independently predicted perceived PTG, no interaction effect was observed (B = -4.68, p = .080). CONCLUSION: This suggests that while differences in psychological flexibility may influence PTS severity following highly centralized traumatic experiences it has a more complicated relationship with perceived PTG that requires further investigation. Clinical implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

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Authors: Boykin, D. M., Anyanwu, J., Calvin, K., & Orcutt, H. K.
Affiliations: Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (US)
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (US)
Northern Illinois University (US)
ORCID: Boykin, Derrecka M.
Orcutt, Holly K.
Venue: Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 2020-02
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Pages: 193-199
ISSN: 1942-9681 (ISSN-L)
1942-969X
DOI: 10.1037/tra0000490
OpenAlex: W2957804443
Cited by: 45
References: 0
Citations by year: 2026: 6 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 6
FWCI: 4.38
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: hybrid
doi.org
Licence: other-oa
www.apa.org/pubs/journals/resources/open-access.aspx (am, 157 d)
Locations: Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy (publishedVersion, other-oa)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: Department of Veterans Affairs
South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center
Center of Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (CIN 13-413)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Resilience and Mental Health
Social Sciences › Cultural Studies › Memory, History, Trauma, Identity
Keywords: psychological flexibility, event centrality, posttraumatic stress symptoms, posttraumatic growth, trauma exposure, moderating effect, university students, trauma recovery, personal identity
MeSH terms: Psychological Trauma, Posttraumatic Growth, Psychological, Adolescent, Adult, Female, Humans, Individuality, Male, Self Concept, Severity of Illness Index, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Young Adult

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The moderating effect of psychological flexibility on event centrality in determining trauma outcomes

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