Developing an extended process model of emotion regulation in PTSD

Emotion regulation is a topic of growing interest in the field of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite the field's concentrated efforts in this area, the research has not matched advancements in the general emotion regulation literature, which have proposed more holistic models to understanding to how individuals identify and respond to emotions. In looking at emotion regulation in PTSD, this paper reviews the current state of the literature using the Extended Process Model proposed by Gross (2015). Considering emotion perception, beliefs, emotion regulation strategies (in terms of choice, flexibility of use, and repertoire of strategies available), and tactics, it discusses how these constructs help us understand the pathogenesis of PTSD and identifies areas in need of further research, including assessing the role of culture and improving measurement of emotion regulation constructs. Clinical implications of the emotion regulation literature for PTSD treatment are discussed.