Moderating Role Of Emotion Regulation On Relationship Of Event Centrality And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Internally Displaced Tiv Persons

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between trauma centrality, emotion

regulation strategies, and PTSD symptoms. It was also aimed at testing the nature of

association between event centrality and PTSD could change as a function of emotion

regulation strategies (moderation). Participants were 859 internally displaced Tiv persons

(male = 434, females = 425), randomly selected from two major temporary camps of the

displaced Tiv persons in Markurdi, capital of Benue state: LGEA Primary School, North

Bank (Camp 1) and LGEA Primary School (LPS), Wurukum (Camp 2). The average

respondent age was 38.81 (SD = 1.94, ranging from 12 to 90 years). They completed the Tiv

versions of Centrality of Events Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and Harvard

Trauma Questionnaire. Event centrality positively predicted PTSD symptoms (Beta = .62, t =

22.84, p < .001). Cognitive reappraisal was a negative predictor of PTSD symptoms (Beta = -

.30, t = -11.34, p < .001). Expressive suppression was a positive predictor of PTSD symptoms

(Beta = -.36, t = -15.16, p < .001). Tests of moderation hypotheses showed that cognitive

reappraisal and expressive suppression significantly moderated the relationship of event

centrality and PTSD symptoms (Beta = -.08, t = -3.37, p < .01; Beta = .09, t = 4.20, p < .01

respectively). The findings underscored recent developments in psychotraumatology

indicating that the extent to which individual differences and moderating factors impact the development of PTSD is essential in clinical research and practice.