The Longitudinal Association Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Emotion Dysregulation, and Postmigration Stressors Among Refugees

Abstract

Although emotion dysregulation has been robustly associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there is relatively little understanding of this process in refugees. Specifically, longitudinal methodology has not been used to examine the relationship between emotion dysregulation and PTSD among refugees. In this study, we investigated the temporal relationship between emotion dysregulation, postmigration stressors, and PTSD clusters (reexperiencing, avoidance, negative alterations in mood and cognition [NAMC], and hyperarousal) from the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders among a community sample of refugees ( N = 1,081) over a 2-year period. Random intercept cross-lagged panel analysis found that emotion dysregulation was antecedent to within-persons increases in reexperiencing and NAMC symptoms over time and bidirectionally associated with hyperarousal and postmigration stressors. In addition, postmigration stressors were antecedent to within-persons increases in reexperiencing, avoidance, and NAMC and bidirectionally associated with hyperarousal symptoms. Findings provide novel evidence in support of postmigration stressors and emotion dysregulation as mechanisms maintaining PTSD and highlight the potential utility of tailoring interventions to address these factors.