Emotion Regulation and Self-Perception in Childhood Trauma and Dissociation: A Moderated-Mediation Model
Faculty Mentor
Sara Haden
Major/Area of Research
Clinical Psychology
Description
INTRODUCTION: Dissociation, difficulties with emotion regulation, and negative changes in self-perception have all been linked to childhood traumatic experiences, but the nature of their relationship has not been well established.
METHOD: Cross sectional data was compiled using a sample of university students (N = 259) and analyzed using a moderated mediation model to assess how difficulties in emotional regulation and negative changes self-perception impact the relationship between childhood trauma and dissociative experiences in adulthood.
RESULTS: Our results support the existing literature suggesting that childhood trauma significantly and positively impacts dissociative experiences in adulthood and that difficulties in emotion regulation positively and significantly mediate that relationship. We also assessed whether negative changes in self-perception moderates the relationship between childhood trauma and difficulties in emotion regulation.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: We found self-perception did significantly moderate this relationship, but in an unexpected direction, suggesting that as negative changes in self-perception increase, childhood trauma becomes a less powerful predictor of difficulties in emotion regulation. These results may highlight a nuanced and previously unexplored role self-perception plays in trauma-related sequelae.
Emotion Regulation and Self-Perception in Childhood Trauma and Dissociation: A Moderated-Mediation Model
INTRODUCTION: Dissociation, difficulties with emotion regulation, and negative changes in self-perception have all been linked to childhood traumatic experiences, but the nature of their relationship has not been well established.
METHOD: Cross sectional data was compiled using a sample of university students (N = 259) and analyzed using a moderated mediation model to assess how difficulties in emotional regulation and negative changes self-perception impact the relationship between childhood trauma and dissociative experiences in adulthood.
RESULTS: Our results support the existing literature suggesting that childhood trauma significantly and positively impacts dissociative experiences in adulthood and that difficulties in emotion regulation positively and significantly mediate that relationship. We also assessed whether negative changes in self-perception moderates the relationship between childhood trauma and difficulties in emotion regulation.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: We found self-perception did significantly moderate this relationship, but in an unexpected direction, suggesting that as negative changes in self-perception increase, childhood trauma becomes a less powerful predictor of difficulties in emotion regulation. These results may highlight a nuanced and previously unexplored role self-perception plays in trauma-related sequelae.