Beyond the mean: examining associations between intraindividual variability in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and posttrauma reckless behaviors.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Posttrauma reckless behaviors have been linked to the onset and exacerbation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, PTSD symptoms fluctuate across time, triggered by environmental stimuli in daily life, referred to as (intraindividual) variability in PTSD symptoms.

Design

We utilized experience sampling methods to investigate associations between engagement in posttrauma reckless behaviors and variability in PTSD symptoms and the moderating role of emotion dysregulation in this association.

Methods

Data from 166 trauma-exposed university students (M_age= 21.43 ± 5.07, 85.4% women) were collected between January 2019 to August 2020. Participants completed baseline and follow-up surveys to assess engagement in

SUBMITTER: Messman BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11266525 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature