Date of Award

Winter 12-31-2024

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Clinical Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Lizabeth Roemer

Second Advisor

Dr. Abbey Eisenhower

Third Advisor

Dr. Jessica Lopresti

Abstract

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been termed an “emotion disorder” due to its association with obstructing trauma survivors’ ability to regulate their emotions (Frewen & Lanius, 2006, as cited in Tull et al., 2020, p. 295). Previous research consistently shows individuals with PTSD experience significant difficulties in emotion regulation (ER) skills (e.g., Ehring & Quack, 2010). Despite the unique systemic challenges inherent in the experience of Black Folk which can exacerbate PTSD symptom severity (Carter, 2020; Bird et al., 2021), research focusing on Black trauma survivors remains limited.

This study utilized 3 self-report measures: the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004) to measure ER difficulties, the Life Events Checklist (LEC-5; Weathers et al., 2013a) to capture the experience of a potentially traumatic event (PTE), and the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5; Weathers et al., 2013b) with a cut-off score of 31 to determine probable PTSD status.

The overall aim of this study was to examine the association between emotion regulation skills and PTSD among a sample of Black college students (N= 49). We hypothesized that participants with probable PTSD would (1) report greater overall difficulties in emotion regulation skills, and (2) report greater difficulties in specific aspects of emotion regulation skills compared to participants without trauma exposure and those with trauma exposure. but not probable PTSD. Results indicated that individuals with probable PTSD reported significantly greater overall difficulties in emotion regulation skills In addition, participants with probable PTSD reported significantly higher levels of difficulties engaging in goal-oriented behaviors when upset, difficulties controlling impulsive behaviors when distressed, and limited access to effective emotion regulation strategies than participants without Criterion A traumatic exposure and those with Criterion A traumatic exposure but no PTSD. As predicted, no significant group differences were detected in lack of emotional awareness and clarity. Contrary to predictions, non-acceptance did not significantly between groups within this sample. However, moderate to large effect sizes were detected for the awareness, clarity, and non-acceptance subscales, indicating these differences might be significantly different across groups in a larger sample. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed. This study offers a valuable contribution to the literature on ER and PTSD and lays the groundwork for future research. In addition, it emphasizes the need for inclusive research practices to inform development of specialized interventions.

Comments

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