ABSTRACT
Direct trauma exposure (DTE) affects both emotional and cognitive functioning, yet the mechanisms linking DTE to anxiety remain insufficiently understood. A community sample of 574 adults completed measures of state anxiety, executive function difficulties (EFD) and emotional entitlement following war-related DTE. Results indicated that DTE participants reported higher anxiety and EFD, lower levels of positive and uncompromised entitlement compared to non-exposed participants. EFD was positively associated with anxiety, and DTE was indirectly associated with anxiety through EFD, reflecting an indirect-only mediation pattern. The indirect effect of DTE on anxiety via EFD was significant only at low and average levels of positive and negative entitlement, as higher positive and negative entitlement attenuated the DTE–EFD association. These findings highlight perceived EFD as a key mechanism linking DTE to anxiety and suggest that fostering adaptive forms of emotional entitlement may serve as an important resilience factor to reduce anxiety in the aftermath of trauma.