BIS-dependent cognitive strategies mediate the relationship between BIS and positive, negative affect

Abstract

The relationship between the BIS and affect is well documented. However, knowledge about the mechanisms underlying this relationship is still limited. In the revised model of the BIS (Corr, 2008), its activation elicits a cascade of cognitive processes, including attentional scanning and risk assessment. We hypothesised that specific, BIS - dependent cognitive strategies related to attentional scanning and risk assessment play a mediating role in the relationship between the BIS and affect. Impulsive and careful attentional scanning strategies were examined by the Emotional Faces Attention Test. Risk assessment processes, seen here as cognitive strategies of emotion regulation, were evaluated by the CERQ. The mediation models were tested in non-clinical (N = 715) and anxiety and depression subclinical samples (N = 220). Additionally, two BIS scales were applied for further validation of the revised BIS theory: Carver and White's (1994) and Corr and Cooper's (2016). Generally, our results showed that different cognitive strategies mediated the relationship between the BIS and affect in non-clinical and sub-clinical samples, indicating that high BIS sensitivity leads to the employment of specific cognitive strategies when emotional problems are experienced. Finally, Carver & White's BIS scale showed better predictive validity in the tested mediation models than Corr & Cooper's BIS scale.