(PS7-64) Dimensions of Posttraumatic Growth as Moderators in the Relationship Between Cognitive Reappraisal and Clinical Symptom Severity

There has been an influx of research examining emotion regulation (ER). As such, there is a large body of research indicating that ER is a central component to psychological well-being (Gross 1999). ER has been identified as a critical factor in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress, depression and anxiety symptoms (Seligowski et al., 2013). Cognitive reappraisal (CR, i.e., reframing/altering one’s perception and/or attitude of a situation to alter their emotional experience) is widely accepted as an effective ER strategy that has been linked to lower levels of symptomatology (Troy et al., 2013). Effective ER strategies, like CR, are understood to be a key factor in facilitating posttraumatic growth (PTG). However, the dimensions of PTG (relating to others, new possibilities, personal strength, spiritual/existential change and appreciation for life) have yet to be tested as a moderator for ER strategies (i.e., CR) and clinical symptom severity. The present study sought to test the moderating role of PTG in the relationship between ER (CR), and outcomes of anxiety, depression, and somatization. A sample of 529 (74% Female, Mage = 44.23) community-dwelling participants completed questionnaires on mental health symptomology (BSI), emotion regulation (ERQ), and post-traumatic growth (PTGIX). Several moderation analyses were conducted to examine whether the relationship between CR and clinical symptoms (domains of BSI) was moderated by each of the five dimensions of PTG. The first moderation analysis revealed that relating to others moderated the relationship between cognitive reappraisal and somatization (b=.05, t=1.98, p < .05). The second moderation analysis revealed that new possibilities moderated the relationship between cognitive reappraisal and somatization (b=.07, t=2.64, p < .01), anxiety (b=.05, t=2.15, p < .05), and depression (b=.05, t=1.98, p < .05). The third moderation analysis revealed that personal strengthmoderated the relationship between cognitive reappraisal and somatization (b=.07, t=1.91, p < .05) and anxiety (b=.06, t=1.92, p < .05). The fourth moderation analysis revealed that appreciation for life moderated the relationship between cognitive reappraisal and somatization (b=.09, t=2.12, p < .05), anxiety (b=.08, t=1.97, p < .05), and depression (b=.10, t=2.25, p < .05). The spiritual/existential change domain did not yield significant interaction results. These results are logical given the previously established connection of ER and symptoms often associated with trauma (i.e., anxiety, depression) and the differences between the domains with be explored further. The addition of PTG may help clinicians better conceptualize treatment around trauma symptoms given that a broader understanding of which PTG domains may be more useful when treating specific symptomology.