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In the present study, we used an experimental paradigm with subjective and objective assessments to further explicate the role of positive emotion dysregulation on risky behavior. Participants were 151 community women currently experiencing intimate partner violence and using substances (age: M = 40.81 years; 30.5% Black). Participants were randomly assigned to positive, negative, and neutral idiographic emotion inductions. Subjective (state self-report) and objective (high-frequency heart rate variability [hfHRV], skin conductance response, and salivary cortisol) markers of emotion dysregulation were assessed, following which participants completed subjective (state urges for substances) and objective (Balloon Analogue Risk Task) measures of risky behavior. Results showed that (a) greater self-reported state emotion dysregulation and lower hfHRV predicted more urges for substances in the positive (vs. negative and neutral) emotion-induction condition and (b) lower hfHRV predicted more behavioral risk-taking propensity in the positive (vs. neutral) emotion-induction condition. These findings provide additional support for the influence of positive emotion dysregulation on risky behavior.

Evidence links posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms to positive autobiographical memory characteristics. To extend this research, we uniquely utilized micro-longitudinal data to examine (1) the trajectory of PTSD symptom count across 30 days; and (2) if more vividness and accessibility of retrieved positive memories at the daily level predicted decreases in the trajectory of PTSD symptom count across 30 days. The current study was a secondary data analysis of a larger study. The sample included 74 women who reported physical or sexual victimization in the past 30 days by their current male partner and reported the use of alcohol and/or drugs during that time ( Mage = 39.68 years; 37.80% with diagnostic PTSD; 43.2% White; 37.8% Black or African American). They completed thrice daily measures of PTSD symptoms and positive memory characteristics (vividness and accessibility) across 30 days. Results of the random effects longitudinal multilevel model indicated that, on average, the relation between PTSD symptom count and positive memory vividness was positive and statistically significant (0.19, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] [0.2, 0.35]); and the relation between PTSD symptom count and positive memory accessibility was positive and statistically significant (0.31, 95% CI [0.15, 0.47]). The relationship between PTSD symptom count and positive memory vividness/accessibility (i.e., slopes) varied significantly across participants, with a wide range of positive and negative regression coefficients. Future research needs to investigate why and how positive memory vividness and accessibility may relate to trajectories of PTSD symptoms over time, with potential clinical implications for positive memory interventions addressing PTSD.

Many current treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) emphasize processing and engaging with trauma memories as the key mechanism of therapeutic change. However, promising emerging research indicates links between PTSD symptoms and positive memories. Processing positive memories, to therapeutically impact health outcomes for trauma-exposed individuals, may have several benefits, including (a) increasing access to positive coping mechanisms via activating positive affect and thoughts; (b) addressing avoidance of positive affect and thoughts; and (c) honing skills that will aid in the eventual processing of trauma memories. The present article demonstrates the utility and effects of a novel Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) with three clients who reported a history of traumatic experiences. We outline the procedures of a 5-session PPMT, that incorporates symptom assessment, detailed imaginal experiencing of positive memories, and processing of associated positive values, affect, strengths, and thoughts. We utilize longitudinal assessment data to demonstrate the clinical benefits of PPMT, such as less PTSD severity, improved mood (e.g., less negative affect), and greater self-esteem. Finally, we discuss treatment considerations based on unique client factors and treatment modalities (i.e., in-person vs. video telehealth).

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are associated with addictive behaviors including problematic smartphone use (PSU). Drawing from existing theoretical models and empirical work, we examined the relation between PTSD symptoms, social/process-oriented smartphone feature uses, and PSU. Specifically, we examined the correlations between social/process-oriented smartphone feature uses with both PTSD symptom clusters (intrusions, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, alterations in arousal and reactivity) and PSU and the mediating role of social/process-oriented smartphone feature uses in the relation between PTSD symptom clusters and PSU. The current study used data from a sample of 347 community participants recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform. Correlation results indicated that process-oriented smartphone feature uses correlated significantly (positively) with all the PTSD symptom clusters and PSU. Further, mediation results indicated that process-oriented smartphone feature use significantly mediated the relationship between each PTSD symptom cluster and PSU. Beyond highlighting the role of process-oriented smartphone feature uses (e.g., watching videos/TV/movies, reading books/magazines, games) in the relation between PTSD symptoms and PSU, our findings suggest that efforts to reduce PSU among individuals with PTSD symptoms should integrate strategies for reducing process-oriented uses of smartphones.

The detrimental impact of early trauma, particularly childhood maltreatment, on mental health is well documented. Although it is understood that social support can act as a protective factor toward mental health for children who experience such adversity, few studies have addressed the experience of childhood maltreatment and the important function of social support in adulthood. The current study aimed to assess the mediating role of social support in the relationship between childhood experiences of maltreatment and mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and problematic alcohol use in a sample of university students ( N = 640) from Northern Ireland. Results of binary logistic regression analyses indicated that those reporting experiences of childhood maltreatment were at increased odds of mental health outcomes of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, but not alcohol use. Those reporting greater social support were significantly less likely to report on these mental health outcomes. In addition, the indirect paths from childhood maltreatment through social support to PTSD, depression, and anxiety were all significant, suggesting that social support, particularly family support, is a significant mediator of these relationships. Such findings have important implications for the social care response to children experiencing maltreatment and future support for such children as they transition to adolescence and adulthood.