Patterns of Trauma Exposure, Emotion Dysregulation, and Mental Health Symptoms: A Latent Class Analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Polyvictimization, defined as the experience of multiple types of trauma, shows stronger associations with a range of mental health problems than less pervasive patterns of trauma exposure. Emotion dysregulation has been posited as one factor that may account for observed links between polyvictimization and mental health problems. Accordingly, the current study used latent class analysis to identify patterns of trauma exposure and examine their associations with emotion dysregulation and mental health symptoms. Undergraduates (N = 298) completed a cross-sectional survey of trauma exposure, recent mental health symptoms, and emotion dysregulation. Results revealed a predominately non-interpersonal trauma class (18%), a moderate exposure class (71%), and a polyvictimized class (11%). Polyvictims reported more trauma types, more symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS), depression, and anxiety, and more difficulties with emotion regulation than the other two classes. Relative to the predominately non-interpersonal class, a statistically significant indirect effect of trauma exposure on PTS, depression, and anxiety symptoms via emotion dysregulation was observed for polyvictims but not for the moderate exposure class. Although limited by sole reliance on cross-sectional, self-report data, these findings suggest that the pathways linking trauma exposure and mental health symptoms may differ as a function of the pattern of victimization experienced.