Running head: LIFE SATISFACTION, SOCIAL SUPPORT, EMOTIONAL NUMBING, AND TRAUMA 1 Life Satisfaction, Social Support, and Emotional Numbing in Relation to Past Trauma

Attempts have been made to identify factors that moderate the effects of trauma and are associated with higher ratings of life satisfaction among trauma-exposed individuals (Pruneau, 2009; Rapaport et al., 2005; Zatzick et al., 1997). This literature has produced much data on the moderating effects of social support in relation to trauma/PTSD symptoms, post-trauma impairment, and life satisfaction. Though a body of research exists on this topic, the effect of emotional numbing on the relationship between social support and trauma outcomes has yet to be fully examined. The purpose of this study is to examine how emotional numbing may moderate previously reported relationships between social support and life satisfaction among traumaexposed individuals. The sample consisted of 300 PSYSC 100 students, from a mid-size university, who completed the following measures electronically: the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C), Green’s Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ), the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS), and the Berlin Social-Support Scale (BSSS). Data from the questionnaires was analyzed using a series of correlations. A negative correlation was observed between PCL-C and MSLSS scores.