PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) co-occur with high frequency (24-
61%).
PTSD
role
have
emotions
suggest
regulation)
less
via alcohol use. One explanation for these findings is
This co-occurrence has considerable clinical significance. Individuals with co-occurring PTSD-AUD (vs.
or AUD alone) report more PTSD symptoms and worse alcohol outcomes. Research emphasizes the
of emotional processes in the co-occurrence of PTSD and AUD. However, prior investigations in this area
been narrow in scope, focusing almost exclusively on negative emotions. The limited research on positive
purports a role of alcohol use in up-regulating (eliciting/increasing) positive emotions. Our pilot data
that alcohol use among individuals with PTSD symptoms also may be motivated by avoidance (down-
of positive emotions . We have found that trauma-exposed individuals with PTSD symptoms are
accepting of positive emotions, and more likely to engage in fforts to avoid positive emotions, including
that positive emotions elicit physiological
e
arousal that is
linked to trauma-related symptoms and thus evaluated as aversive among individuals with PTSD symptoms.
The
processes
current proposal will leverage intensive l ongitudinal data t o evaluate dynamic and idiographic
among positive emotional processes, alcohol use, and PTSD symptoms as they unfold in daily life
among trauma-exposed community individuals who regularly drink and experience PTSD symptoms (N=150).
Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) will capture momentary processes in real-time & in natural settings,
maximizing
profiles.
ecological validity and generalizability of findings. Idiographic analysis will identify personalized risk
These approacheswill provide the necessary data to inform idiographic PTSD-AUD interventions that
can be implemented at the microlevel. Aim 1 determines the extent to which PTSD symptoms are related to
alcohol use to down-regulate positive emotions at the momentary level. Aim 2 usesidiographic analysis to
identifypatterns of alcohol to down-regulate positive emotions in relation to PTSD. An Exploratory Aim
assesses whether alcohol use to down-regulate positive emotions is distinct from other motives for alcohol use.
The findings of this research have the potential to transform health care practice. General practice is to
increase positive emotions in PTSD-AUD intervention. If our pilot work is confirmed, and alcohol use serves to
down-regulate positive emotions in those with PTSD symptoms, clinicians may first want to evaluate adverse
reactions to positive emotions in PTSD-AUD intervention, and, if indicated, address those concerns.
The proposed research utilizes an innovative approach to fill significant gaps regarding mechanisms in co-
occurring PTSD-AUD. This work is important, timely, and innovative. Preventing PTSD-AUD among trauma-
exposed individuals has important implications for the health and well-being of people in our nation.
