Emotion Regulation Difficulties Research Articles

Loneliness and emotion regulation: A meta-analytic review.

Chronic loneliness has been associated with increased risk for multiple mental disorders. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that problems with emotion regulation (ER) may underlie the course and costs of loneliness, but evidence on the associations between loneliness and ER has not been systematically analyzed until now. The present meta-analysis examined the relations between loneliness and multiple dimensions of ER including the habitual use of common strategies (i.e., rumination, cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, distraction), ER difficulties, and ER abilities. A systematic search across four databases returned 4,454 articles, out of which 61 articles (total N = 40,641) were eligible for inclusion. The analyses indicated that there were consistent positive relations between loneliness and rumination (r = 0.38), suppression (r = 0.31), and ER difficulties (r = 0.49). Loneliness was also negatively associated with reappraisal (r = -0.23), distraction (r = -0.21), and ER abilities (r = -0.28). The latter two effects were significantly larger in studies on adults compared to adolescents, as indicated by subgroup analyses, and corroborated by metaregressions. Furthermore, the percentage of women in the sample was a negative predictor of the association between loneliness and ER difficulties, and the country cultural individualism was a positive predictor of the association between loneliness and suppression. There was evidence of publication bias in all analyses, but the effect sizes remained significant after imputing for missing studies. Overall, the present results support consistent associations between loneliness and ER and highlight potential targets for future interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The moderating role of the late positive potential in the link between attachment anxiety and emotion regulation difficulties

IntroductionUnderstanding how adults experience and regulate their emotions is strongly linked to attachment orientations. Numerous studies indicate emotional regulation difficulties in both attachment avoidance and anxiety. Additionally, emotional Event-Related Potentials (ERPs), such as the Late Positive Potential (LPP), reveal the process of emotional information at the cerebral level, and thus, LPP is commonly used in studies examining emotion regulation processes. For instance, when individuals are asked to use cognitive strategies to increase, maintain, or decrease their emotional responses to stimuli, changes in LPP amplitude can reflect the effectiveness of these regulation strategies. However, little is known about the potential moderating effect of the LPP during the implementation of emotional regulation strategies in the relationship between attachment dimensions and emotional dysregulation. To address this oversight, the purpose of the present study was to examine the association between both dimensions of attachment, anxiety and avoidance, and emotional dysregulation, as well as the moderating role of the LPP during the induced implementation of cognitive reappraisal.MethodsBrain activity was recorded using EEG from n = 63 adults while they performed a task in which they were instructed to either reappraise or suppress emotions elicited by unpleasant images. To assess the associations between LPP, emotional dysregulation, and attachment orientations, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Spanish version (DERS-E) and the Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire (ECR-12) were used.ResultsInterestingly, we found that greater LPP amplitudes during reappraisal implementation intensified the association between attachment anxiety and emotional regulation difficulties. Conversely, this relationship was non-significant under lower levels of LPP amplitude—Providing supporting evidence for the moderating role of LPP.DiscussionOur results highlight how attachment anxiety can influence the ability to regulate emotions. This study provides new insights into how variations in LPP contribute to the effectiveness of emotion regulation strategies.

Perceived Parenting Practices and Health-risk Behaviours Among Indian Adolescents: the Mediating Role of Emotion-regulation Difficulties

Perceived Parenting Practices and Health-risk Behaviours Among Indian Adolescents: the Mediating Role of Emotion-regulation Difficulties

The Relationship Between Alexithymia And Compulsive Shopping Among Young Adults

Although previous studies have investigated factors contributing to compulsive shopping, the specific role of alexithymia and its influence on emotional regulation in predicting this behavior remains underexplored. The study explores the link between alexithymia and compulsive shopping in young adults, focusing on whether emotional regulation difficulties predict problematic shopping behavior. A sample of 220 Italian young adults was assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Shopping Behaviour Scale (SBS). Multiple regression analysis revealed that alexithymia's three dimensions explained 4.8% of the variance in compulsive shopping. Externally oriented thinking was the only significant predictor, while difficulty identifying and describing feelings were not. The findings suggest that individuals more focused on external realities are at higher risk for compulsive shopping. Improving emotional awareness and regulation may help reduce this behavior in young adults.

The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation Difficulties in the Correlation Between Mindfulness and Psychological Resilience in Patients Diagnosed with Depression.

This study aimed to determine the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties in the correlation between mindfulness and psychological resilience. This study was conducted with a total of 119 patients diagnosed with major depression. Data were collected with Personal Information Form, Mindfulness Scale, Emotion Regulation Difficulties Scale, and Psychological Resilience Scale. The study participants reported moderate levels of mindfulness and emotion regulation difficulties, and above-average levels of psychological resilience. It was found that there was a moderately negative correlation between mindfulness and emotion regulation difficulties (r = -0.553, p < 0.001), as well as between psychological resilience and emotion regulation difficulties (r = -0.429, p < 0.001). A moderately positive correlation was determined between mindfulness and psychological resilience (r = 0.344, p < 0.001). Emotion regulation difficulties fully mediated the correlation between mindfulness and psychological resilience. These findings will guide the development of interventions aimed at enhancing mindfulness, emotion regulation skills, and psychological resilience in depression treatment.

Relación de la victimización de bullying y cyberbullying en las dificultades de regulación en adolescentes del Ecuador

The present study aims to identify the relationship between bullying victimization (BV) and cyberbullying victimization (CBV) in emotional regulation difficulties (ERD) in a sample of adolescents in Ecuador. This work is based on a quantitative, descriptive, correlational, gender-comparative, cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 384 adolescents, with 44% being females and the remaining 56% males, aged between 14 and 19 years (M= 15.7; SD= 4.4). The students came from 9 schools in two cities in Ecuador. BV and BCV levels were found to be low, while ERD levels were moderate. There were only gender differences in BV, with a higher presence in males than females. Finally, there was a positive relationship between BV (moderate), BCV (slight) and DRE. BV and BCV are also positively and moderately related. BV and BVB are elements that interact in a relevant way with DRE in adolescents in Ecuador, indicating a particular connection.

Adverse childhood experiences and diet quality in the national sample of poles: The mediating role of emotion regulation

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the risk of adverse psychological and physical outcomes and chronic disease in adulthood. The mechanism of this relationship is still unclear. ACEs might exert their negative influence on adult health via both dietary and psychological axes. Our study aimed to examine the relationship between ACEs and diet quality in the national sample of Poles. We also aimed to determine whether difficulty in regulating emotions act as a mediator of this relationship. The national Polish sample of adults (n = 3557) took part in this study. ACEs were assessed via the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. Data on food consumption frequency over the past year, body weight and height were collected using the self-administered version of the Dietary Habits and Nutrition Beliefs Questionnaire (KomPAN®). Two diet quality scores were evaluated: Pro-Healthy-Diet-Index-10 (pHDI) and Non-Healthy-Diet-Index-14 (nHDI). Emotion regulation (ER) was evaluated via the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Path analysis was used to examine the associations between the variables, firstly formulated by theoretical assumptions expressed by directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). A higher number of ACEs was related to higher difficulties in ER in adults (p < 0.001), which in turn was related to lower pHDI (p < 0.001) and higher nHDI (p = 0.027). Our findings strengthen the rationale for ACEs screening as a potential risk factor for diet-related chronic disease in adulthood. They provide a framework for public health prevention strategies via interventions targeting diet quality and emotional regulation in the setting of multidisciplinary practice.

Emotion processes in voice-hearers: Understanding differences in emotional reactivity, emotion regulation and alexithymia.

Disrupted emotion processes are commonly linked to the onset and maintenance of auditory verbal hallucinations. However, a comprehensive approach using an extended emotion model has not previously been applied to voice-hearers to distinguish impairments in emotion processes from non-clinical populations. The present study hypothesised voice-hearers, as compared to controls, would have (1) higher reactivity to negative emotions and lower reactivity to positive emotions, (2) more difficulties regulating negative and positive emotions, (3) more maladaptive strategy use, and (4) higher alexithymia. T-tests tested these hypotheses, comparing self-report measures of emotional reactivity, emotion regulation and alexithymia in voice-hearers(n = 50) to controls (n = 53). There were no group differences in emotional reactivity to positive or negative emotions. Compared to controls, voice-hearers showed difficulties in both positive and negative emotion regulation, were more likely to use expressive suppression, and were more likely to be alexithymic. These findings may help researchers and clinicians identify difficulties in voice-hearers' emotion processing, providing better direction for case formulation and treatment.

Differential patterns of emotion regulation in sexual minority adolescents in residential treatment

ObjectiveSexual minority adolescents experience disproportionate mental health problems, including increased anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Minority Stress Theory posits that sexual minority people experience significantly more stress (e.g., via discrimination or prejudice) in their everyday lives, which can underlie these mental health disparities. Though group differences in mental health symptoms are well-documented, there has been less focus on symptom trajectories, which is critical for identifying effective mental health interventions. MethodSeventy adolescents ages 13–19 years enrolled in a short-term, acute residential psychiatric treatment program provided self-report measures of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and emotion regulation difficulties at baseline, discharge (~2 weeks), and one-month post-treatment follow-up. Adolescents self-reported sexual orientation and were stratified into sexual minority (SM, n = 37) or heterosexual (n = 33) groups. ResultsDepressive and anxiety symptoms and emotion dysregulation scores were significantly reduced at follow-up, compared to baseline. While there were no significant group x time interactions for depressive and anxiety symptoms, the SM group entered the program with worse emotion dysregulation scores, which improved more over time compared to the heterosexual group. ConclusionThese findings show that although sexual minority individuals can make substantial gains during residential treatment, emotion regulation difficulties are a particularly relevant treatment target. Emotion regulation, a transdiagnostic construct that typically develops substantially during adolescence, might be of critical importance when identifying effective treatment interventions for sexual minority youth. LimitationsAdolescents in this sample demonstrated limited racial diversity and likely displayed a higher degree of psychopathology than the general population.

Moderating Role of Self-Regulation Difficulties in the Momentary Associations Between Depressive Symptoms and Participation Poststroke.

Because depressive symptoms are momentarily associated with lower levels of participation poststroke, it is crucial to investigate what moderates such associations to identify a potential intervention target to reduce the momentary links between depressive symptoms and participation poststroke. Self-regulation seems to be a potential moderator of such associations. To investigate the extent to which difficulties in self-regulation moderate the momentary associations between depressive symptoms and participation poststroke. This study uses a real-time, repeated-measures design using smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment surveys five times a day for 10 days. We performed multilevel modeling to uncover the momentary associations among the study variables. Community. 39 people with stroke. We obtained real-time data for difficulties in self-regulation (total, cognitive, behavioral, and emotion regulation), depressive symptoms, and participation in daily activities (performance in daily activities and satisfaction with performing daily activities). We included 1,612 survey responses in the analysis. Higher depressive symptoms were momentarily associated with lower levels of performance (β = -0.05 to -0.07, p < .001) and satisfaction (β = -0.04 to -0.06, p < .05), regardless of adjusting for self-regulation variables and other covariates. Difficulties in total self-regulation (β = -0.01, p < .001) and emotion regulation (β = -0.02, p < .001) magnified the negative associations between depressive symptoms and satisfaction with performing daily activities. Using self-regulation and emotion regulation strategies may be a target for just-in-time intervention for reducing the momentary associations between depressive symptoms and satisfaction with performing daily activities poststroke. Plain-Language Summary: Depressive symptoms have immediate and real-time associations with lower levels of participation in daily activities in people with stroke. Self-regulation, including cognitive regulation (e.g., goal setting, planning strategies), behavioral regulation (e.g., controlling impulsive behaviors), and emotion regulation (e.g., managing negative feelings), may be an intervention target for reducing the immediate associations between depressive symptoms and lower levels of participation poststroke. Thus, we investigated whether difficulties in self-regulation variables magnify the negative real-time associations between depressive symptoms and participation poststroke. To obtain real-time data on difficulties in self-regulation variables, depressive symptoms, and participation (i.e., performance and satisfaction), we asked 39 community-dwelling people with stroke to answer smartphone surveys. The results showed that difficulties in total self-regulation and emotion regulation magnified the negative associations between depressive symptoms and satisfaction with performing daily activities. Our findings suggest that self-regulation and emotion regulation strategies may be a target for real-time intervention for reducing the momentary associations between depressive symptoms and satisfaction with performing daily activities poststroke.

Schema Modes and Social Maladjustment: The Mediating Role of Difficulty in Emotion Regulation

Schema Modes and Social Maladjustment: The Mediating Role of Difficulty in Emotion Regulation

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy as Applied to Turkish Families: Effectiveness for Children with Behavior Problems and Their Caregivers

This study assessed the impact of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) on caregiver and child outcomes in Türkiye using a non-concurrent multiple baseline design (N = 3). Improvements in child disruptive behavior frequency were observed, with a large effect across participants (Tau-U = −0.74) and perceived problematic child behaviors (Tau-U = −0.87). School refusal, anxiety symptoms, and child emotion regulation improved with reliable change indices indicating clinically significant improvements (>1.96). Clinically significant decreases (RCI >1.96) in parenting stress and parent emotion regulation difficulties were also observed. Parents demonstrated improvements in parenting skills, as outlined by the PCIT protocol. This study highlights PCIT’s efficacy within a novel cultural context.

Reducing emotion dysregulation online in nonclinical population with compassion focused therapy and emotional competencies program: A randomized controlled trial.

The present randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects of two interventions on emotional dysregulation as a primary outcome and on depression, anxiety, stress, well-being, self-compassion and emotional competencies as secondary outcomes. Finally, the mediating role of emotional dysregulation as a core process in the effect of interventions on anxiety-depressive and stress symptoms was evaluated. One hundred and seventy-nine individuals aged 18-68 years (M = 39, SD = 12.4; 83.9% females) with emotion regulation difficulties were randomly assigned to one of the three 12-weeks online programs: Compassion Focused Program (CFP), an Emotional Competencies Program (ECP) or a Waitlist control condition (WL). Participants completed pre-, post- and 3 months follow-up measures of each outcome. Mixed effect linear models compared groups on primary and secondary outcomes. Results showed that (1) perceived credibility and expectancy and satisfaction did not differ between the two interventions, (2) both interventions reduced emotion regulation difficulty, depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, and enhanced well-being, self-compassion, and emotional competencies; (3) ECP was more effective to enhance well-being than CFP; (4) CFP was more effective to enhance emotional competencies than ECP, and (5) emotion regulation difficulty mediated the effect of the interventions on depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Findings offer preliminary support for the usefulness of online CFP and ECP to reduce emotion dysregulation, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress and to increase well-being, self-compassion and emotional competencies. These results are discussed regarding clinical practice and the transdiagnostic role of emotional dysregulation.

Using machine learning methods to identify trajectories of change and predict responders and non-responders to short-term dynamic therapy

Objectives Predicting therapy responders can significantly improve clinical outcomes. This study aims to identify predictors of response to short-term dynamic therapy. Methods Data from 95 patients who underwent 16-session therapy were analyzed using machine learning. Weekly progress was monitored with the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ45) and Target Complaints (TC). A machine learning model identified change trajectories for responders and non-responders, with a random forest algorithm and elastic net modeling predicting trajectory group membership using pre-treatment data. Results A weak positive relationship was found between the trajectories of the two outcome variables. The results of the different analysis methods were compared and discussed. Important predictors of OQ45 trajectories, based on random forest modeling, included initial symptom severity, difficulties in emotion regulation, coldness, avoidant attachment, conscientiousness, interpersonal problems, non-acceptance of negative emotion, neuroticism, emotional clarity, impulsivity, and emotion awareness (72.8% accuracy). Initial problem severity, self-scarifying extraversion, and non-assertiveness were the most dominant predictors for TC trajectories (62.8% accuracy). Conclusions These findings offer data-driven insights for selecting short-term dynamic therapy. Predicting response for the OQ45, a nomothetic measure, does not extend to the TC, an idiographic measure, and vice versa, highlighting the importance of multidimensional outcome evaluations for personalized treatment.

Examination of the relationship between conflict resolution styles and marital satisfaction: the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship between conflict resolution styles and marital satisfaction in married individuals. A total of 706 married individuals, 234 men and 472 women, constitute the study’s working group. The ages of the participants ranged from 21 to 60, with an average age of 38.45. As a result of the analysis conducted within the scope of the study It has been found that positive conflict resolution, retreat and subordination conflict resolution styles are positively related with marriage satisfaction, while negative conflict resolution styles are negatively related with marriage satisfaction. The results show that positive conflict resolution, negative conflict resolution, retreat and subordination conflict resolution styles have a direct effect on marital satisfaction, but this effect does not disappear when emotion regulation difficulties is controlled, so emotion regulation difficulties play a partial mediator role.

Autonomic response and attachment style in disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is characterised by severe emotion regulation difficulties, particularly anger and irritability, in children. Despite the impact of attachment on emotional and behavioural regulation, the link between attachment style and DMDD is under-researched. This study investigated whether attachment style and parasympathetic regulation differentiate the response profiles to frustrating conditions between children diagnosed with DMDD and controls. Participants were assessed at schools in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Thirty participants were divided into two matched groups (n DMDD = 15; n Control = 15) and assessed. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and heart period were measured during an Affective Posner Task, inducing frustration. Attachment style was assessed using the Attachment Style Classification Questionnaire for children. Parents of children with DMDD completed a social interaction problems questionnaire. The DMDD group showed a higher prevalence of avoidant attachment style (p = 0.013) compared to controls. Both groups displayed adaptive vagal withdrawal and recovery during the task (p = 0.005; p = 0.021). Controls had significantly higher heart period throughout the assessment (game 1: p = 0.006; game 2: p = 0.013; game 3: p = 0.007). In the DMDD group, lower vagal tone during frustration correlated with more social interaction problems (p = 0.049). The study demonstrates a potential link between attachment style and altered physiological state in children with DMDD. The findings provide insight into possible atypical vagal regulation of the heart and avoidant attachment styles in DMDD, highlighting potential therapeutic and intervention targets.

Psycho-Socio-Demographic Risk Factors of Self-injurious Behaviors in Iranian Females Inmates: A Case-Control Study

Background: Self-injurious behavior or self-harm among inmates is a common phenomenon. However, no study has yet been conducted in Iran regarding self-harm in female inmates. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the psycho-socio-demographic risk factors associated with non-suicidal self-harm in Iranian female inmates. Patients and Methods: Participants in this case-control study were 306 female inmates in Tehran, who were randomly selected and divided into two groups: (1) 88 individuals who scored 5 or higher on the Sansone Self-harm Inventory (SHI), and (2) 88 individuals randomly selected from the 218 inmates who did not self-harm as the comparison group. The participants completed a researcher-designed questionnaire, SHI, and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. The data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis in SPSS version 16. Results: Logistic regression analysis revealed that marital status (B = 1.438, P = 0.002), arrest history (B = 1.295, P = 0.005), substance abuse (B = 1.198, P = 0.011), psychiatric diagnoses (B = 1.126, P = 0.018), parental divorce (B = 1.280, P = 0.005), and difficulties in emotion regulation (B = 0.027, P = 0.022) were significant predictors of self-harm in inmates. Although there was a difference in the addiction rates of parents between those with self-harm and those without, this variable did not predict self-harm in female inmates (B = 0.488, P = 0.307). Conclusions: The results of this study underscore the importance of family-based preventive interventions to prevent self-harm behaviors among female inmates.

Examining the roles of reward sensitivity and difficulties in emotion regulation in relation to low-restraint binge eating.

Leading treatments for binge eating target dietary restraint, but up to 35% of the people with binge eating report low restraint. This study examined the roles of reward sensitivity and emotion dysregulation in relation to low-restraint binge eating. Women with binge eating (low-restraint: n = 22; high-restraint: n = 69) and controls (n = 49) completed self-report measures of generalized reward sensitivity and emotion dysregulation and a picture-viewing task assessing craving and pleasure for high-calorie food. As expected, food-related craving and emotion dysregulation were greater in the clinical than in the control group, but no differences emerged between high- and low-restraint binge eating groups. However, correlational analyses found that, within the clinical group, the number of restraint days related to greater anticipatory sensitivity for generalized rewards and lower pleasure ratings of food. Results suggest that emotion dysregulation characterizes both high- and low-restraint binge eating. As self-reported food liking was linked with lower restraint, greater enjoyment of palatable foods may uniquely contribute to low-restraint binge eating. Increasing emphasis on emotion regulation and food-related reward sensitivity may enhance treatment outcomes for individuals with low-restraint binge eating.

Inside the gamer's mind: How violent video games and emotional dysregulation affect EEG interbrain synchronization

BackgroundExposure to violent video games influences players’ cortical activations. In addition, intra-individual variables like emotional regulation play an important role in the consequences of such exposures. However, most research has studied these relationships at the intra-individual level. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of violent video games on the interbrain synchronization (IBS) of dyads in which one member played video games, and evaluated IBS differences between high and low-emotionally dysregulated groups. MethodsEighteen participants (M = 24.1 ± 2.1) were enrolled in this study. Participants gazed into another person's eyes before playing (“First Direct Gaze”), after playing a violent video game (“Post-VV”), and after playing a nonviolent video game (“Post-NVV”) during an electroencephalographic hyperscanning acquisition. Afterward, each participant completed a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. ResultsA cluster-based analysis revealed an increased theta IBS Post-VV compared to Post-NVV. A median split was used to define the high emotionally dysregulated (“HED”) and low emotionally dysregulated (“LED”) groups. Results showed a decreased alpha IBS in the First Direct Gaze, Post-VV, and Post-NVV in the HED group compared to the LED group. ConclusionsExposure to violent video games was associated with higher theta IBS, suggesting a greater social attunement, potentially due to a higher perceived dominance and control or due to an effort of managing the emotional activations elicited. In addition, difficulties in emotional regulation could elicit specific alpha activities regardless of exposure to a video game, leading to a lower tendency to attune with another person on this band.Results from this study should not be generalized to infer that playing any type of video game causes harm to people's brains.

The relationship between emotion regulation difficulties and eating disorder outcomes: a longitudinal examination in a residential eating disorder treatment facility

ABSTRACT Eating disorders (EDs) are associated with numerous comorbidities and deleterious outcomes (e.g. medical complications, high rates of death by suicide). The complexities of EDs are further compounded by treatment dropout, poor treatment outcomes, and relapse. One way to better understand these complexities is to investigate broad, transdiagnostic risk factors that contribute to the etiology and maintenance of EDs, such as emotion regulation (ER) difficulties. We longitudinally tested the relationship between ER difficulties and ED outcomes in a sample of 101 female ED patients in a southeastern U.S. residential ED treatment facility. Consistent with hypothesis, there were significant improvements in both ER difficulties and eating pathology from admission to discharge. Further, improvement in ER difficulties was associated with improvements in eating pathology. These findings further substantiate the role of ER difficulties in eating disorders and provide further evidence for the relationship between ER difficulties and eating pathology among residential eating disorder patients.