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Moderating effects of dysregulation and fear of positive emotions on the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and positive memory count
Author(s) -
Contractor Ateka A.,
Weiss Nicole H.,
Forkus Shan R.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.23046
Subject(s) - psychology , posttraumatic stress , clinical psychology , emotional dysregulation , developmental psychology
Objectives We examined moderating effects of positive emotion dysregulation and fear of positive emotions in the relation between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity and positive memory count. Method Participants were 205 trauma‐exposed community individuals ( M age = 35.44; 61.50% female). Results Moderation analyses indicated interaction effects of PTSD severity with nonacceptance of positive emotions ( b = −0.01, p = .002) and difficulties with goal‐directed behaviors when experiencing positive emotions ( b = −0.01, p = .006) on positive memory count. Conclusions Greater PTSD severity was associated with more specific positive memories when individuals reported less nonacceptance of positive emotions and fewer difficulties engaging in goal‐directed behaviors in the context of positive emotions. Greater PTSD severity was associated with fewer specific positive memories when individuals reported greater nonacceptance of positive emotions and greater difficulties engaging in goal‐directed behaviors in the context of positive emotions. Results support addressing positive emotion dysregulation in memory‐focused interventions for PTSD.