Trauma-related guilt and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in military veterans: The role of psychological inflexibility

• Published in: Journal of psychiatric research Vol. 137; pp. 104 - 110
• Main Authors: Kachadourian, Lorig K., Lyons, Robert, Davis, Brittany, Haller, Moira, Norman, Sonya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2021
• Subjects: Guilt; Military veterans; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Psychological inflexibility; Psychological inflexibility; Military veterans; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Guilt
• ISSN: 0022-3956; 1879-1379
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.02.022

A growing body of evidence has shown consistent support for the association between trauma-related guilt and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, factors that account for this association are not well understood. The present study examined psychological inflexibility as a potential mediator between trauma-related guilt and PTSD symptoms in a sample of U.S. military veterans. Secondary data analyses from a larger randomized control trial were conducted. Specifically, three separate mediation models were used to test if psychological inflexibility mediated the association between trauma-related guilt (guilt cognitions, guilt distress, overall guilt) and PTSD symptoms in 85 treatment-seeking veterans diagnosed with PTSD and alcohol use disorder. All three components of trauma-related guilt were positively associated with both psychological inflexibility and PTSD symptoms; psychological inflexibility was also positively associated with PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, psychological inflexibility partially mediated the association between all facets of trauma-related guilt and PTSD severity. These findings provide further support for the association between trauma-related guilt and PTSD and also provide insight into one mechanism linking trauma-related guilt to PTSD symptoms. Thus, psychological inflexibility may serve as an important intervention target for veterans with comorbid PTSD and alcohol use disorder struggling with trauma-related guilt.