Abstract
Introduction
The mechanisms linking childhood adversity and cluster C personality disorders (PDs) remain unclear. Available research points to emotion regulation as a possible mechanism. Emotion regulation difficulties are documented in the case of cluster C, but studies focus on strategy implementation, while regulation goals received less attention. This study aimed to examine the associations between childhood adversity, emotion regulation goals and strategies, and cluster C PDs. Furthermore, we explore the moderating role of childhood maltreatment in the association between emotion regulation and cluster C.
Methods
This cross-sectional study employs a sample of 141 adults from the Romanian community (aged 18–55 years;
M
= 27.31, SD = 9.13). We employed instruments assessing facets of childhood adversity (CTQ, QUIC, MSPSS, CTSPC, RFQ, and the MacArthur Scale of SES), emotion regulation goals (ERGS) and strategies (E-ERQ), cluster C symptoms (SNAP-2) and associated personality dysfunction (LPFS-BF).
Results
Main analyses suggest significant associations between avoidant PD and total QUIC scores (
r
= 0.206,
p
≤ 0.05) and total MSPSS scores (
r
= −0.206,
p
≤ 0.05). Instrumental goals correlated positively with both avoidant PD (
r
= 0.337,
p
≤ 0.001) and dependent PD (
r
= 0.339,
p
≤ 0.001). Reappraisal showed negative correlations with avoidant PD (
r
= −0.224,
p
≤ 0.05) and dependent PD (
r
= −0.219,
p
≤ 0.05). Avoidant PD was also correlated with suppression (
r
= 0.336,
p
≤ 0.001) and selective attention (
r
= 0.203,
p
≤ 0.05). Obsessive-compulsive PD was correlated with situation selection (
r
= 0.200,
p
≤ 0.05). Importantly, childhood maltreatment moderated the association between hedonic goals and obsessive-compulsive PD. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to account for deviations from assumptions in the main analysis.
Conclusion
Findings highlight the increased use of instrumental goals, suppression, situation selection, selective attention (which could entail disengagement from emotions), and reduced use of reappraisal. Taking the interplay between childhood adversities and emotion regulation difficulties in the case of cluster C into account could expand future literature, which may contribute to the improvement of assessment, prevention, and intervention efforts for cluster C symptoms, especially when exposure to childhood adversities is present.