Experimental Investigation of the Influence of Positive Emotion Dysregulation on Risky Behavior Following Idiographic Emotion Inductions

A psychometric evaluation of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 among women experiencing intimate partner violence

Recent national estimates suggest that 1 in 2 women will experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. Given the high prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women experiencing IPV, it is necessary to consider whether PTSD assessments function adequately for this population. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the past-month version of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), one of the most widely used self-report measures of PTSD symptoms, in a sample of community women experiencing IPV. Participants were 158 women who had experienced IPV in the past 6 months (Mage = 40.14 years, 39.9% White). The PCL-5 demonstrated good internal consistency, Cronbach's α = .97, and scores were significantly positively correlated with theoretically related constructs (i.e., PTSD symptom count on the SCID-5, IPV severity, substance use, depression, anxiety, and emotion dysregulation); however, it demonstrated poor 30-day stability, r = .38, ICC = .55. The ability of the PCL-5 to discriminate with respect to a PTSD diagnosis was acceptable, AUC = .74. A cutoff score of 21 maximized sensitivity (82.5%) and specificity (55.4%); this is lower than typical cutoffs (i.e., 31-33). Although the PCL-5 has generally demonstrated adequate psychometric properties, findings suggest that it does not function optimally for women experiencing IPV relative to its functioning for other trauma-exposed populations. The lower-than-typical cutoff suggests that the PCL-5 may underestimate PTSD prevalence among women experiencing IPV.

Measuring emotion dysregulation in daily life: an experience sampling study

BACKGROUND

Literature underscores the importance of emotion dysregulation in clinical research. However, one critical limitation of the existing investigations in this area involves the lack of psychometrically valid measures for assessing emotion dysregulation in individuals' daily lives. This study examined the factor structure and psychometric properties of momentary versions of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (mDERS) and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Positive (mDERS-P).

METHODS

Participants were 145 community women (M age = 40.66, 40.7% white) experiencing intimate partner violence and using substances who participated in a baseline interview and then completed surveys three times a day for 30 days.

RESULTS

Analyses supported the reliability of the mDERS and the mDERS-P. The two-state, two-trait model, with separate factors for negative and positive emotion dysregulation at both the within-and between-levels, fit the data best. Momentary negative, but not positive, emotions were positively related to the mDERS; both momentary negative and positive emotions were positively related to the mDERS-P. Baseline trait negative, but not positive, emotion dysregulation, was related to greater variability in momentary negative and positive emotion dysregulation.

CONCLUSION

Findings advance our understanding and measurement of emotion dysregulation using intensive longitudinal approaches.

Racial Microaggressions Mediate the Association Between Posttraumatic Stress and Alcohol Use Among Women of Color Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence

Objective: Women of Color (WoC) experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) have elevated rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use and related harm (e.g., increased alcohol use and negative consequences). This secondary data analysis assessed the role of racial microaggressions in the association between PTSD and alcohol use and related harm among WoC experiencing IPV. Methods: Participants were 103 WoC currently experiencing IPV and using substances (Mage=40.39, 51.5% Black) who were recruited from the community and completed assessments of PTSD, racial microaggressions, and alcohol use and related harm. Results: Assumptions of Inferiority (e.g., intelligence; B = 1.44, SE = 0.90, 95% CI [0.10, 3.54]) and Environmental Microaggressions (e.g., portrayal in media; B = 1.88, SE = 1.03, 95% CI [0.28, 4.30]) explained the association between PTSD and alcohol use and related harm. Conclusions: Findings underscore the influence of specific microaggressions in the relation between PTSD and alcohol use and related harm among WoC experiencing IPV.

Concordance of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Assessed via Retrospective Report Versus Experience Sampling Methods in Community Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most prominent negative health consequences that women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) may develop. However, research on PTSD among women experiencing IPV has largely relied on retrospective reporting methods, which are vulnerable to bias and may consequently misrepresent PTSD symptoms. This study evaluated the concordance between PTSD symptoms assessed via retrospective self-report and experience sampling methods (ESM), which involve repeated within-day sampling of experiences in near real-time and in natural environments. Community women (N = 134) experiencing IPV (Mage = 40.7, 30.4% Black) responded to ESM surveys three times a day for 30 days and then completed a follow-up interview. Retrospective self-report of PTSD symptoms, which were assessed during the follow-up interview, were compared to ESM reports of PTSD symptoms. Retrospective reports of PTSD symptoms were significantly different from PTSD symptoms reported during the ESM period, but most closely resembled peak PTSD symptoms. Notably, retrospective reports of PTSD symptoms were significantly different, with a very large effect size, from average PTSD symptoms reported during the ESM period. Discordance scores were significantly negatively associated with the number of days on which any IPV occurred, suggesting that as the frequency of IPV experiences increased, differences between retrospective PTSD symptoms and each ESM symptom pattern decreased. This study provides an important contribution to the literature by highlighting meaningful differences in PTSD symptoms assessed via retrospective self-report versus ESM and the role of IPV context. Findings emphasize the importance of utilizing ESM in PTSD research with women experiencing IPV.

Borderline personality disorder and multidimensional impulsivity: The roles of positive and negative emotion dysregulation

BACKGROUND

Risky, self-destructive impulsivity and emotion dysregulation are core features of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Yet impulsivity is multidimensional and has rarely been comprehensively assessed in BPD. Impulsivity has been linked to negative emotion dysregulation, yet explorations of the role of positive emotion dysregulation have been neglected. The current study attempts to extend existing literature by identifying the pattern of associations of specific domains of impulsivity, using both self-report and behavioral measures in BPD, and the role of both negative and positive emotion dysregulation in this link.

METHODS

Adults with BPD (n = 48), subthreshold BPD (n = 37), and without BPD (n = 78) completed a diagnostic interview, self-report measures, and multiple behavioral tasks. We examined correlations between primary variables, then examined the role of negative and positive emotion dysregulation in the association between BPD and specific domains of impulsivity.

RESULTS

Negative emotion dysregulation accounted for the link between BPD and negative urgency, (lack of) premeditation, and (lack of) perseverance, while positive emotion dysregulation accounted for the relation between BPD and sensation seeking.

LIMITATIONS

Key limitations of this study include using a relatively homogeneous sample and using abbreviated versions of one behavioral task, among others discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings locate the precise impulsivity impairments in BPD and highlight the differential roles of negative and positive emotion dysregulation. Understanding the impulsivity deficits associated with BPD will further explain the impulsive behaviors associated with this disorder, and the contexts in which they occur, which may streamline clinical treatments.