Background and purpose: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that cause a sharp drop in job performance and social activities is commonly seen in Iranian veterans. Identifying the variables involved is important to predict the risk of psychological harms. This study aimed at assessing the relationship between attachment styles and cognitive emotion regulation strategies in veterans with PTSD.

Materials and methods: A correlational study was carried out in 56 veterans attending clinics affiliated with the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs. Structured clinical interview for the DSM-IV (SCID-I) was used to ensure the comorbid disorders. Then, PTSD Checklist, Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS), and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) were completed by the participants.

Results: The results showed no significant relationship between PTSD and secure attachment (r=0.182) but a positive and statistically significant relationship was found between PTSD and insecure attachment (P<0.01). Also, there was a significant association between PTSD and cognitive emotion regulation strategies especially, negative cognitive emotion regulation strategies (P<0.01).

Conclusion: According to the findings, insecure attachment style are directly associated with PTSD and could be a factor predisposing to the disorder. Also, the type of cognitive emotion regulation can be a good predictor for the risk of PTSD.