The Role of Anxiety and Depression in the Emotion Regulation Strategies of People Suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Researchers have explored the links between cognitive emotion regulation, impaired cognitive functioning, and anxiety-depression, including the link to anxiety and depression levels. However, very few studies have examined these dimensions in clinical populations with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A sample of 183 participants was divided into three groups: 59 trauma-exposed with PTSD, 61 trauma-exposed without PTSD, and 63 non-trauma-exposed non-PTSD (controls). All participants were assessed on the following dimensions: PTSD (PCL-5), cognitive emotion regulation (CERQ), anxiety and depression (HADS). Results indicate a specific profile of emotion regulation associated with PTSD. Compared to other groups, participants with PTSD showed more difficulty managing their emotions, with more rumination, self-blame, and catastrophizing. Moreover, these difficulties were also correlated with levels of anxiety and depression, that is, participants with PTSD who had higher anxiety and depression scores used more maladaptive strategies. The PTSD group used significantly more maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies than the other groups, with distinct profiles related to anxiety and depressive symptomatology.

Keywords:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• cognitive regulation of emotions
• anxiety
• depression

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nawal Ouhmad

Nawal Ouhmad is a doctor in psychology; she is currently working on developmental psychology, cognitive psychology and cognitive emotional regulation related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Romain Deperrois

Romain Deperrois is a PhD student, his research focuses on the study of normal and pathological emotional functioning, social cognitions and transgressive behaviors.

Nicolas Combalbert

Nicolas Combalbert is a doctor in psychopathology and a university professor. His research focuses on violence and mental health, and also on the cognitive functioning of perpetrators and victims of criminal offenses.

Wissam El Hage

Wissam El Hage is a Psychiatrist at the CHRU of Tours, and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Tours. He is responsible for the Regional Center of Psychotraumatology of the Centre-Val de Loire region (France), and medical referent of the Expert Center for Resistant Depression of Tours, FondaMental Foundation.