Neural mechanisms underlying implicit emotion regulation deficit in relational and nonrelational trauma PTSD: Insights from the Nested Hierarchical Model of Self.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exhibits marked heterogeneity, with relational (R; interpersonal) and nonrelational (NR; environmental) trauma subtypes demonstrating distinct psychopathological trajectories. Despite clinical recognition of these differences, their neurobiological underpinnings of emotion processing remain poorly understood. Guided by the Nested Hierarchical Model of Self (NHMS) - which posits trauma-type-specific disruptions in hierarchical self-processing systems - this study investigated neural mechanisms differentiating among PTSD subtypes during implicit emotion regulation.

Methods

A sample of 122 participants, including patients with PTSD (R: n = 51; NR: n = 29) and trauma-exposed controls matched by trauma type (R: n

SUBMITTER: Guo Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12404329 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature