Exposure to traumatic events, emotion regulation, and traumatic stress among infertility patients: a moderation analysis

Abstract

Exposure to traumatic events and emotion regulation were examined as predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among women seeking medical treatment for infertility. Emotion regulation difficulties were hypothesized to moderate the association between traumatic events and PTSS severity. Sixty-six participants completed the Trauma History Questionnaire, Posttraumatic Check List for DSM-5, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Regression analyses were conducted. Emotion regulation difficulties predicted PTSS. The interaction between lifetime exposure to traumatic events and emotion regulation significantly predicted PTSS (b = 0.02, p = 0.002) and the model accounted for 31% of the variance in symptoms. Among women pursuing medical fertility treatment with past exposure to traumatic events, brief interventions that enhance emotional regulation skills may decrease PTSS.

KEYWORDS:

• Infertility
• IVF clinic
• fertility treatment
• posttraumatic stress symptoms

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.