The Moderating Role of Nonviolent Communication in the Relationship Between PTSD and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Investigation

Huang, Chak Hei Ocean; Lau, Hiu Lam Natasha; Yuan, Guangzhe Frank; Liu, Caimeng; Lam, Stanley Kam Ki; Fung, Hong Wang

doi:10.3390/healthcare13172163

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The Moderating Role of Nonviolent Communication in the Relationship Between PTSD and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Investigation

by

Chak Hei Ocean Huang

¹

,

Hiu Lam Natasha Lau

²

,

Guangzhe Frank Yuan

^3,*

,

Caimeng Liu

³,

Stanley Kam Ki Lam

⁴

and

Hong Wang Fung

^5,*

¹

Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong

²

Department of Psychology, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK

³

School of Education Science, Leshan Normal University, Leshan 614000, China

⁴

Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong

⁵

School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Healthcare 2025, 13(17), 2163; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172163

Submission received: 25 June 2025 / Revised: 18 August 2025 / Accepted: 27 August 2025 / Published: 29 August 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Understanding Mental Health Problems from a Trauma-Informed Perspective)

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Abstract

Background: The demoralization model of depression suggests that PTSD could lead to depressive symptoms. However, not all people with PTSD have co-occurring depressive symptoms. Objective: To examine the moderating role of nonviolent communication (NVC) behaviors in the relationship between PTSD and depressive symptoms. Methods: Longitudinal data were obtained from a sample of young adults (N = 146) online. They completed validated screening measures of PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and NVC behaviors at baseline (T1), and reported their depressive symptoms again after three months (T2). Results: PTSD symptoms were correlated to depressive symptoms at both T1 (r = 0.53, p < 0.001) and T2 (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). NVC behaviors were also negatively correlated to depressive symptoms at T1 (r = −0.40, p < 0.001) and T2 (r = −0.36, p < 0.001). After controlling for demographic variables, childhood trauma, and T1 depressive symptoms, T1 NVC behaviors moderated the effects of T1 PTSD symptoms on T2 depressive symptoms (B = 0.149, p = 0.019). T1 PTSD symptoms predicted T2 depressive symptoms only when the levels of NVC behaviors were low (β = −1.149, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The moderating role of NVC behaviors in the longitudinal relationship between PTSD and depressive symptoms was identified. NVC training programs might be beneficial to individuals with PTSD and depressive symptoms. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of such programs for trauma survivors.

Keywords: PTSD; depression; NVC; interpersonal relationships

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MDPI and ACS Style

Huang, C.H.O.; Lau, H.L.N.; Yuan, G.F.; Liu, C.; Lam, S.K.K.; Fung, H.W. The Moderating Role of Nonviolent Communication in the Relationship Between PTSD and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Investigation. Healthcare 2025, 13, 2163. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172163

AMA Style

Huang CHO, Lau HLN, Yuan GF, Liu C, Lam SKK, Fung HW. The Moderating Role of Nonviolent Communication in the Relationship Between PTSD and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Investigation. Healthcare. 2025; 13(17):2163. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172163

Chicago/Turabian Style

Huang, Chak Hei Ocean, Hiu Lam Natasha Lau, Guangzhe Frank Yuan, Caimeng Liu, Stanley Kam Ki Lam, and Hong Wang Fung. 2025. "The Moderating Role of Nonviolent Communication in the Relationship Between PTSD and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Investigation" Healthcare 13, no. 17: 2163. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172163

APA Style

Huang, C. H. O., Lau, H. L. N., Yuan, G. F., Liu, C., Lam, S. K. K., & Fung, H. W. (2025). The Moderating Role of Nonviolent Communication in the Relationship Between PTSD and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Investigation. Healthcare, 13(17), 2163. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172163

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The Moderating Role of Nonviolent Communication in the Relationship Between PTSD and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Investigation

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