(PS4-C55) Emotional Reactivity Predicts Posttraumatic Cognitions in Maltreated Youth

Individuals who have experienced child maltreatment are at high risk for long-term mental health difficulties (Baldwin et al., 2023). Posttraumatic Cognitions (PTC) following maltreatment may mediate the relationship between child maltreatment and mental health symptoms (Reichert & Flannery-Schroeder, 2014). Moreover, emotional reactivity (ER) has shown to increase the severity of posttraumatic stress and other negative symptoms following a traumatic event (Cavanagh et al., 2014). However, research on the relationships between factors of ER and PTC after child maltreatment remains scarce. The present study aimed to assess whether ER predicts PTC in maltreated youth. Then, the study also sought to assess which sub-factor of ER (i.e., sensitivity, recovery, and impairment; Prince-Embury, 2013) predict PTC in this vulnerable population. Participants included youth (n = 114) ages 12-17 years in Department of Family Services (DFS) custody following removal from their homes after substantiated child maltreatment. The present study hypothesized that (1) ER and (2) its sub-factors (sensitivity, recovery, and impairment) predict PTC in youth who have experienced maltreatment. To test these hypotheses, the Resiliency Scales for Children and Adolescents (RSCA; Prince-Embury, 2008) was used to examine ER and its sub-factors, whereas the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI; Foa et al., 1999) was used to examine PTC. A linear regression analysis showed a significant predictive relationship between ER and PTC (Adjusted R² = 45.1%, F (1, 113) = 94.607, p < .001). Specifically, according to the unstandardized regression coefficients, an increase in ER increases PTC in maltreated youth (B = 2.016, SE = 0.207, t = 9.727, p < .001, 95% CI [1.605, 2.426]). Moreover, a standard multiple regression analysis (forced entry method) showed a significant predictive relationship between ER sub-factors and PTC (Adjusted R² = 51.9%, F (3, 111) = 41.987, p < .001). Results show that only increases in recovery (B = 3.687, SE = 0.971, t = 4.471, p < .001, 95% CI [1.762, 5.611]) and impairment (B = 5.185, SE = 1.160, t = 4.471, p < .001, 95% CI [2.887, 7.483]) predict PTC in maltreated youth. Maltreated youth who endorse higher levels of ER, sensitivity, and impairment are at increased risk of engaging in PTC. This, in turn, may increase the likelihood for the development and maintenance of mental health difficulties in this vulnerable population. Clinicians must consider assessing maltreated youth for ER for a strengths-based approach in case conceptualizations. In order to reduce PTC, clinicians should consider fostering low ER in maltreated youth.  Researchers must assess for other risk and resilience factors that may affect the development of adverse mental health outcomes in youth who have experienced maltreatment.