Date
10-14-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Holly Walker
Keywords
adverse childhood experiences, secondary traumatic stress, emotion regulation, first responders, occupational trauma
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Harmon, Maci Lenora, "Examining Emotion Regulation and the Link Between Childhood Adversity and Secondary Trauma in First Responders" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8977.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8977
Abstract
First responders are routinely exposed to traumatic events in the course of their professional duties, placing them at increased risk for secondary traumatic stress (STS). However, psychological responses to occupational trauma exposure vary considerably across individuals. Developmental research suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may contribute to long-term alterations in emotional functioning and stress responsivity, potentially increasing vulnerability to later trauma-related symptoms. Emotion regulation (ER) has been identified as a transdiagnostic process associated with trauma-related stress. Furthermore, ER may function as a pathway linking early adversity to occupational stress outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional correlational mediation study was to examine the relationship between ACEs and STS among first responders, and to determine whether ER mediates this relationship. Participants included active, or recently active, first responders in the state of Georgia. Participants completed an anonymous online survey consisting of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-SF), and the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS-17). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and mediation analysis. Results indicated significant positive relationships among ACEs, difficulties in ER, and STS. Mediation analysis further demonstrated a significant indirect effect of ACEs on STS through difficulties in ER. When ER difficulties were included in the model, the direct effect of ACEs was no longer statistically significant, consistent with a mediating relationship. These findings highlight ER as an important mechanism in the relationship between childhood adversity and STS. Furthermore, these findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the developmental and regulatory factors associated with vulnerability to STS within trauma-exposed professions.
