Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment Vol. 9, Iss. 4,  (Jul 2018): 315-323. Recent literature suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms can interact with personality factors to predict externalizing behaviors. Engagement in externalizing behaviors such as substance abuse and aggressive behavior may, in turn, increase risk for further trauma exposure and a more chronic course of PTSD. In order to better understand how to intervene on this cycle, the current study aimed to identify factors that could explain risk for externalizing behaviors among trauma-exposed veterans. Moreover, we aimed to identify whether psychological flexibility, a skill drawn from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), may mitigate risk for engagement in externalizing behavior.. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.