Cognitive emotion regulation strategies in subjects with panic disorder

Abstract

Objective To investigate cognitive strategies of emotion regulation in subjects with panic disorder (PD). Methods Subjects were 51 patients with PD and 54 healthy controls individually matched by age, sex and educational level. Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) were obtained from both panic and control group. Twenty-three panic disorder patients and 22 healthy controls completed a validated passive cognitive reappraisal task. Results (1) PD group scored significantly lower on the strategies of positive focus (4.4±1.3 vs 5.4±1.3), positive reappraisal (4.9±2.0 vs 6.5±2.0) and putting into perspective (4.8±1.8 vs 6.2±1.9), and significantly higher on the strategies of catastrophizing (7.1±2.0 vs 4.5±1.8) and rumination (6.8±2.2 vs 3.9±1.9) than control group (P<0.05). (2) In cognitive reappraisal task, significant picture type × group interactions were found in both valence and arousal 9-point scales (P<0.05). Conclusion PD patients show obvious impairment of emotion regulation, and cognitive reappraisal defect may play an important role in it. Key words: Panic disorder; Emotion regulation; Cognitive reappraisal