Are Acute Increases and Variability in Emotion Regulation Strategies Related to Negative Affect and Paranoid Thoughts in Daily Life?

Katrin Bahlinger,Tania M. Lincoln,Annika Clamor

doi:10.1007/s10608-021-10253-1

Abstract

BackgroundNegative affect reliably predicts paranoid thoughts. Previous studies point to the importance of emotion regulation for paranoid thoughts but have not yet focused on effects of acute increases and variability in strategy use.MethodsWe conducted an experience-sampling study for one week in a subclinical sample. Acute increases in the intensity of strategy use from one measurement point until the next, between-strategy variability (i.e., standard deviation between all strategies at one measurement point), and within-strategy variability (i.e., standard deviation of each strategy over one day) were analyzed for effects on negative affect and paranoid thoughts.ResultsMulti-level-models indicated that acute increases in acceptance and reappraisal are associated with less negative affect. Acute increases in acceptance, but not in reappraisal, were related to less paranoid thoughts. In contrast, acute increases in rumination and suppression were associated with more negative affect and paranoid thoughts. Between- and within-strategy variability were no significant predictors.ConclusionsAcute increases in the intensity of but not variability in emotion regulation strategies are related to negative affect and paranoid thoughts in daily life. Future studies are needed to examine whether improving emotion regulation leads to sustainable reductions in symptoms.

Highlights

Paranoid thoughts are defined as distressing beliefs that a persecutor is intentionally harming or going to harm the individual in the future (Freeman & Garety, 2000)
Ia) An acute increase in acceptance and reappraisal between two measurement points t − 1 and t was predictive of lower levels of negative affect at t when controlling for negative affect at t − 1
Ib) An acute increase in rumination and suppression between t − 1 and t predicted higher levels of negative affect at t when controlling for negative affect at t − 1 and more pronounced paranoid thoughts at t when controlling for paranoid thoughts at t − 1

Summary

Introduction

Paranoid thoughts are defined as distressing beliefs that a persecutor is intentionally harming or going to harm the individual in the future (Freeman & Garety, 2000). They are linked to a reduced quality of life (Watson et al, 2018) and lower psychological well-being (Freeman et al, 2014). Previous studies point to the importance of emotion regulation for paranoid thoughts but have not yet focused on effects of acute increases and variability in strategy use. Conclusions Acute increases in the intensity of but not variability in emotion regulation strategies are related to negative affect and paranoid thoughts in daily life. Future studies are needed to examine whether improving emotion regulation leads to sustainable reductions in symptoms

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