Cited by 408Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesTraumatic Brain Injury Research

Emotion regulation and posttraumatic stress symptoms: a meta-analysis

Seligowski, Antonia V., Lee, Daniel J., Bardeen, Joseph R., Orcutt, Holly K.·2015·Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Abstract

Emotion regulation (ER) has been identified as a critical factor in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTS; Bardeen, Kumpula, & Orcutt, 2013 [Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 27, 188-196]; Marx & Sloan, 2005 [Behaviour Research and Therapy, 43, 569-583]; Nightingale & Williams, 2000 [British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 39, 243-254]). The current meta-analysis aimed to provide a thorough, quantitative examination of the associations between PTS and several aspects of ER. A search of the PsychINFO database resulted in 2557 titles, of which 57 met full inclusion criteria (the cross-sectional association between PTS symptoms and ER was reported, participants were 18 years or older, the article was written in English, and sufficient information was reported to calculate effect sizes). From the 57 studies that were included, 74 effect sizes were obtained. All studies were independently coded by two of the study authors for the following: citation, sample type, total N size (and group n's if applicable), mean age of participants, type of traumatic event, study design, PTS measure(s), ER measure(s), and effect size information. Eight random effects models were conducted: seven for individual ER strategies (e.g., rumination) and one for general emotion dysregulation. The largest effects were observed for general emotion dysregulation (r = 0.53; k = 13), rumination (r = 0.51; k = 5), thought suppression (r = 0.47; k = 13), and experiential avoidance (r = 0.40; k = 20). Medium effects were observed for expressive suppression (r = 0.29; k = 3) and worry (r = 0.28; k = 6). Significant effects were not observed for acceptance or reappraisal. Moderator analyses (sample and trauma type) were conducted for general emotion dysregulation, experiential avoidance, and thought suppression; no significant differences were observed. Findings from the current analysis suggest that several aspects of ER are associated with PTS symptoms across a variety of samples. Additionally, the current study highlights a number of limitations in the existing ER and PTS symptom literature.

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Crossref · 10.1080/16506073.2014.980753

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Authors
Seligowski, A. V., Lee, D. J., Bardeen, J. R., & Orcutt, H. K.
Affiliations
  • Northern Illinois University (US)
  • Auburn University (US)
Corresponding author
Seligowski, Antonia V.
Venue
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Published
2014-11-24
Volume
44
Issue
2
Pages
87-102
ISSN
  • 1650-6073 (ISSN-L)
  • 1651-2316
OpenAlex
W2088692967
Cited by
408
References
106
Citations by year
2026: 36 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 59 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 49 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 7
FWCI
1.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Traumatic Brain Injury Research
Keywords
emotion regulation, posttraumatic stress symptoms, rumination, thought suppression, experiential avoidance, expressive suppression, worry, emotional dysregulation, acceptance, cognitive reappraisal, traumatic events
MeSH terms
Behavioral Symptoms, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

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