(PS13-70) A Brief Exploration of the Relationship Between Emotion Regulation, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Posttraumatic Symptoms Among a Heterogenous Sample

Emotion regulation (ER) is suggested to play an important role in the development and maintenance of anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In fact, emotion dysregulation has been found to predict the development of PTSD and PTSD overall symptoms. Furthermore, ER has also been suggested to mediate the relationship between anxiety symptom reduction and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). On the other hand, Anxiety Sensitivity (AS) has also been established as a risk factor for PTSD. AS is defined as a fear of anxiety-related sensations. It is further subdivided into cognitive concerns, social concerns, and physical concerns. AS cognitive concern has been the strongest predictor of PTSD symptoms across AS facets. Some literature examined a relationship between ER and AS with AS as a potential mediator between ER and PTSD, but few examined the role of AS facets, ER, and PTSD clusters. The study aims at extending previous finding by investigating the relationship between AS clusters, PTSD clusters, and emotion regulation.

Participants and

Methods:

A sample (N = 131) of adults between aged 18 to 68 (M_age = 39.5) were recruited from the community to participate in a computerized treatment study targeting risk factors for anxiety and mood disorders. Participants completed a series of assessments and clinical interviews across multiple sessions. Participants completed questionnaires assessing ER (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale), PTSD (PTSD Checklist for DSM5), and AS(Anxiety Sensitivity Index – 3). Linear Regression and Mediation analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between AS facets, ER, and PTSD.

Discussion: AS social/physical concerns did not mediated the relationship between ER and PTSD, and AS overall and cognitive concerns partially mediated that relationship. Interestingly, ER fully mediated the relationship between AS social /physical concerns and PTSD overall symptoms and symptom clusters, even after controlling for treatment condition. Furthermore, ER also partially mediated the relationship between AS overall/AS cognitive concerns and PTSD symptoms. These findings raise questions on the bidirectionality of the relationship between AS and ER. Future research should examine longitudinally temporal relationship between both constructs. These findings warrant further investigation to assess the mechanisms underlying risk for PTSD as well as mechanisms targeted in interventions. The results of this analysis could further be extended to inform PTSD treatment across symptom clusters, which could incorporate ER component.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that ER affects the relationship between AS and PTSD. These data advance knowledge on risk factors for psychopathology and could be used to improve prevention and intervention efforts for PTSD.