Difficulties In Emotion Regulation Scale Research Articles

The Effectiveness of Imago Therapy on Resilience and Difficulty in Emotion Regulation in Women Victims of Domestic Violence

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Imago Therapy on resilience and difficulties in emotion regulation, including its sub-components, among women who are victims of domestic violence. Methods and Materials: The study employed a semi-experimental pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. Thirty women victims of domestic violence were selected using purposive sampling from counseling centers in Isfahan, Iran. They were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The experimental group received 10 weekly 90-minute sessions of Imago Therapy, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) were administered at three time points (pre-test, post-test, and follow-up). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests. Findings: The inferential analysis using repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant effects of the intervention on both resilience and difficulties in emotion regulation, as well as all its sub-components. Bonferroni post-hoc tests confirmed that these improvements from pre-test to post-test were maintained at follow-up. Conclusion: Imago Therapy was found to be effective in enhancing resilience and improving emotional regulation among women victims of domestic violence. The therapy offers a promising intervention for addressing the emotional and psychological needs of this vulnerable population, fostering long-term emotional stability and well-being.

The Structural Relationships Between Temperament Dimensions of Personality and Psychological Symptoms of Somatic Symptom Disorder with the Mediation of Emotional Dysregulation

Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the structural relationships between temperament dimensions of personality and psychological symptoms of somatic symptom disorder with the mediation of emotional dysregulation. Methods and Materials: For this purpose, 380 students from the University of Tabriz were selected using multi-stage cluster random sampling during the academic year 2021-2022. The variables were measured using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, the Somatic Complaint Questionnaire, the short form of the Symptom Checklist, and Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Findings: Data analysis using structural equation modeling showed that novelty seeking, reward dependence, and persistence negatively and significantly explain the variations in psychological symptoms. Harm avoidance and emotional dysregulation positively and significantly explain the variations in psychological symptoms. Reward dependence and persistence negatively and significantly explain the variations in emotional dysregulation. Novelty seeking and reward dependence negatively, and harm avoidance positively, can explain the variations in psychological symptoms through emotional dysregulation. Conclusion: The three temperament variables—novelty seeking, harm avoidance, and reward dependence—could explain the changes in somatic symptoms through the mediation of emotional dysregulation. These findings indicate that somatic symptom disorder is influenced by personality factors and that inefficiency in emotion regulation exacerbates this disorder. Additionally, these findings suggest that emotional dysregulation is a significant variable in the relationship between temperament dimensions and somatic symptoms.

The Emotional Toll of HIV: Exploring Facial and Auditory Emotion Recognition and Emotion Regulation in People Living With HIV

Abstract People living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV) have been reported to show poor facial emotion recognition. However, these studies presented participants with facial emotion photographs whereas in real life facial emotion recognition hardly involves inferring emotions from static faces. Moreover, emotion recognition from other sensory modalities, such as auditory, has hardly been explored. There’s also a dearth of studies examining emotion regulation difficulties in this group. The present study, thus, explored facial (using facial emotion videos) and auditory emotion recognition as well as difficulties in emotion regulation (using the Hindi version of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale) in 60 PLHIV and 60 people without HIV (PWoHIV). Additionally, the association of HIV duration (duration since diagnosis of HIV), viral load, and Clusters of differentiation 4 (CD4) count with emotion recognition and regulation difficulties in PLHIV was explored. Findings from one-way ANCOVA (with education and socioeconomic status as covariates) revealed significantly impaired auditory emotion recognition (particularly for fear) among PLHIV than PWoHIV. The former also showed significantly poorer facial emotion recognition for surprise. PLHIV also self-reported significantly more emotion regulation difficulties than PWoHIV, specifically Nonacceptance of their response to negative emotions and limited access to emotion regulation Strategies. CD4 count was negatively correlated with emotion regulation difficulties, particularly for accomplishing goal-directed behaviour when experiencing negative emotions (Goals) and Strategies. Besides the novel addition to the literature regarding impaired auditory emotion recognition in PLHIV, these findings can help develop targeted interventions to improve emotion recognition and emotion regulation for PLHIV.

Comparison of Early Maladaptive Schemas and Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Among Adolescent Boys and Girls With and Without Marijuana Use

Objective: Adolescence is a developmental period characterized by significant biological, psychological, and social changes. Consequently, it is associated with increased challenges and negative life events, which heighten adolescents' distress. This study aimed to compare early maladaptive schemas and difficulty in emotion regulation among adolescent boys and girls with and without marijuana use. Methods and Materials: This applied research employed a causal-comparative design. The study population consisted of all adolescent boys and girls attending counseling centers in District 2 of Tehran in 2022. A total of 100 participants were selected for the study (50 with marijuana use and 50 without marijuana use). The sample of marijuana users was selected using the snowball sampling method. Data were collected using the standardized Young Schema Questionnaire (2005) and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale by Gratz and Roemer (2004). Data analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and SPSS.22 software. Findings: The results indicated a significant difference in early maladaptive schemas and difficulty in emotion regulation among adolescent boys and girls with and without marijuana use (P<0.01). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the mean components of early maladaptive schemas and difficulty in emotion regulation between boys and girls (P<0.01). Conclusion: Given the impact of early maladaptive schemas and difficulty in emotion regulation on the tendency towards addiction among adolescents and young adults, it is possible to increase public awareness about the risk of addiction and develop appropriate skills to cope with these problems.

Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment-Based Couples Therapy on Attitudes Towards Marital Infidelity and Emotional Regulation in Married Women

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of acceptance and commitment-based couples therapy on attitudes toward marital infidelity and emotional regulation in married women. Methods: This research was a quasi-experimental study conducted using pre-test, post-test, and follow-up methods. The study population consisted of 30 married women visiting psychological services and counseling centers in Tehran in the fall of 2022, who were selected using a convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control groups. The experimental group received acceptance and commitment-based couples therapy, while the control group received no training. The standard questionnaire on the tendency toward marital infidelity by Bashirpour et al. (2018) and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale by Gratz and Roemer (2004) were distributed among all the study participants. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS software version 22. Findings: The results showed that couples therapy based on acceptance and commitment had a significant effect on attitudes toward infidelity (F = 57.26, p < .001) and emotional regulation (F = 26.64, p < .001) in married women. Conclusion: It can be concluded that acceptance and commitment-based couples therapy is effective in influencing attitudes towards marital infidelity and emotional regulation in married women and can be used to improve the quality of married life.

Emotion regulation goals and strategies among individuals with varying levels of sensory processing sensitivity: a latent profile analysis.

Emotion regulation (ER) has emerged as a significant factor influencing the well-being of individuals with high sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). However, the interaction between SPS and the underlying mechanisms of ER remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to (a) identify profiles of SPS and ER competency using a latent profile analysis (LPA), and (b) investigate the ER goals and strategy use among each profile to better understand ER patterns in highly sensitive individuals with lower ER proficiency. A total of 813 Chinese college students (mean age = 21.53 ± 2.48; 74.41% female) completed the Highly Sensitive Person Scale, 16-item Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Emotion Regulation Goals Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and the rumination subscale from the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. The LPA identified three profiles: "Low SPS - High ER Competency" (41%), "Moderate SPS - ER Competency" (41%), and "High SPS - Low ER Competency" (18%). ER goals varied significantly among these groups. The "High SPS - Low ER Competency" group predominantly pursued contra-hedonic goals and impression management goals, while the "Low SPS - High ER Competency" group focused on pro-hedonic goals. In terms of strategies, the "Low SPS - High ER Competency" group mainly used cognitive reappraisal, the "Moderate SPS - ER Competency" group leaned towards suppression, and the "High SPS - Low ER Competency" group preferred rumination and suppression. These findings indicate that higher SPS combined with lower ER proficiency is linked to an increased pursuit of contra-hedonic goals and impression management goals, and a reliance on response-focused strategies. This pattern offers new insights for developing psychological support strategies for highly sensitive individuals experiencing mental distress.

Psychometric properties of the 16-item Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS-16) in Ecuadorian teenagers

Psychometric properties of the 16-item Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS-16) in Ecuadorian teenagers

The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma, Exercise Addiction, Emotion Regulation Difficulties, and Basic Psychological Needs in Türkiye

Exercise addiction manifests as a behavioral compulsion where physical activity becomes excessively pursued, leading to potential harm to both physical and mental well-being, as well as interpersonal connections. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of basic psychological needs and emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship between childhood trauma and exercise addiction. The study sample consisted of 386 regular exercisers who completed several questionnaires, including the Childhood Trauma Scale, Exercise Dependence Scale, Basic Need Satisfaction Scale, and Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale. The results of the analyses revealed that basic psychological needs and emotion regulation difficulties were significant predictors of exercise addiction symptoms, and they mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and exercise addiction. The findings contribute to the understanding of the factors that may lead to exercise addiction and have implications for prevention and treatment. In this context, the results and limitations are discussed in light of the relevant literature.

The Trauma PORTAL-A Blended e-Health Intervention for Survivors of Childhood Interpersonal Trauma: An Open-Label Pilot Study.

Adults with mental health symptoms stemming from childhood interpersonal trauma require specialized trauma-focused psychological interventions. Limitations in accessing treatment interventions for this population necessitate innovative solutions. This study explored the feasibility of a protocol for a blended e-health psychoeducational treatment intervention for this population called the Trauma PORTAL (Providing Online tRauma Therapy using an Asynchronous Learning platform), combining asynchronous online modules and weekly live virtual group sessions. From October 2021 to February 2022, this prospective, single-arm study recruited participants who were waitlisted for trauma therapy at an academic hospital. The primary outcome was protocol feasibility, including recruitment, adoption, and intervention acceptability. Secondary outcomes were pre- and post-intervention post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 [PCL-5]), depression/anxiety/stress (Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale [DASS-21]), and emotion regulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale [DERS-18]), which were compared using paired t-tests and presented as mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 66 participants (median age = 37, female = 61) were enrolled, and they completed on average 53.5% of the online modules. There were 51 (77%) participants who completed post-intervention questionnaires. Acceptability was very high, with 49 respondents (98%) reporting that the intervention increased their access to health care. There were reductions from pre- to post-intervention on the PCL-5 (49.1 vs. 36.7, MD -12.4, 95% CI 8.3-16.5), DERS-18 (51.8 vs. 48.8, MD -3.3, 95% CI 0.2-6.4), and DASS-21 (60.1 vs. 50.7, MD -9.4, 95% CI 2.3-16.6). The Trauma PORTAL intervention was feasible to implement, well-adopted, and highly acceptable in an ambulatory trauma therapy program. The findings show promising evidence for symptom reduction. Further evaluation of the Trauma PORTAL's efficacy in a randomized trial is warranted.

Connecting the dots between insomnia and suicidal ideation: The mediating roles of depression, emotion dysregulation and thwarted belonging

Abstract Insomnia’s impact on psychological functioning is known to increase suicide risk. The underlying mechanisms of this association are unclear. This study explored psychological factors including depression, emotion dysregulation, perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness as possible mechanisms in the association between insomnia and suicidal ideation in a nationally representative sample for age, sex and race in the United States. Participants (N = 428) completed a Qualtrics survey of demographics, Insomnia Severity Index, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, Frequency of Suicidal Ideation Inventory and PROMIS-Depression and PROMIS-Anxiety short forms. Regression analyses and structural equation modeling were used. Insomnia severity was associated with greater suicidality (p < 0.001, CI = 0.19–0.31). When accounting for depression severity, emotion dysregulation and perceived burdensomeness fully mediated insomnia–suicidal ideation frequency association (β = 0.04, p = 0.045; β = 0.24, p < 0.001). Insomnia has major implications on psychological functioning, which may serve as mechanisms through which insomnia confers risk for suicidality. Our model posits that insomnia prevents regional sleep restoration in brain regions involved in psychological functioning, thereby conferring risk for suicidality. Insomnia may be an ideal upstream target for reducing suicidality and its risk factors, including depression, emotion dysregulation and perceived burdensomeness.

The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Self-Efficacy and Emotion Regulation in HIV-Positive Patients

Objective: AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is a chronic and widespread disease that, with its high mortality rate, is distinctly different from other diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on self-efficacy and emotion regulation in HIV-positive patients. Methods and Materials: In a quasi-experimental method with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group, 30 HIV-positive patients receiving treatment at the Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran were non-randomly and conveniently selected and then randomly assigned to two groups (experimental and control groups, 15 patients each). Prior to the commencement of therapeutic interventions, participants from both groups completed the Sherer Self-Efficacy Scale (1982) and the Gratz and Roemer Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (2004). The experimental group underwent 12 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy, whereas the control group did not receive any intervention during this period. Both groups were post-tested, and after a three-month period, they completed the research questionnaires again (three-month follow-up). The research data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and SPSS.22 software. Findings: The results indicated that cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly improved self-efficacy (F=59.45, P<0.001) and emotion regulation (F=144.42, P<0.001) in HIV-positive patients. Conclusion: It can be concluded that cognitive-behavioral therapy can lead to improvements in self-efficacy and emotion regulation in HIV-positive patients.

Examining the Fit of the Psychological Well-Being Model of Adolescents Based on Early Maladaptive Schemas with the Mediation of Emotion Regulation

Objective: Adolescence brings about new changes in the psychological system, including thinking and planning for the future, evaluating alternatives, introspection, reasoning, abstract thinking, new levels of autonomy and assertiveness, and generally new cognitive abilities. Methods and Materials: This study aimed to examine the fit of the psychological well-being model of adolescents based on early maladaptive schemas with the mediation of emotion regulation. The research design was applied in nature, using a descriptive-correlational method with a structural modeling approach. The statistical population of this study included all adolescents studying in the second period of secondary schools in Tehran during the academic year 2020-2021. The sample consisted of 400 individuals selected from the research population using cluster sampling. The tools used in this study included the Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire (Ryff, 1989), the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (Young, 1994), and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (Gratz & Roemer, 2004). For data analysis in descriptive statistics, SPSS-24 software was used, and for inferential statistical analysis to test hypotheses and confirm or reject them, the structural equation modeling (SEM) method with AMOS-22 software was employed. Findings: The findings indicated that, according to the chi-square and RMSEA criteria, the model provided a good fit for the data regarding the psychological well-being of adolescents based on early maladaptive schemas with the mediation of emotion regulation. Conclusion: Emotion regulation serves as a mediator between psychological well-being and early maladaptive schemas, meaning that early maladaptive schemas can indirectly enhance psychological well-being by reducing emotional dysregulation.

The Well-Being of Social Health Professionals: Relationship between Coping Strategies, Emotional Regulation, Metacognition and Quality of Professional Life.

Social health professionals should have the knowledge and skills and use personal resources that promote the helping relationship, access to effective intervention strategies, and well-being at work. This study aims to investigate the relationship between some personal resources (coping strategies, emotional regulation and metacognition) and professional satisfaction in a group of social-health professionals working with minors suffering from psychosocial distress. In this professional group, the risk of burnout is common and the quality of professional life is strongly related to the intensity and frequency of exposure to critical and traumatic events. The sample was assessed using self-report instruments: Professional Quality of Life Scale, Coping Orientation to the Problem Experienced, Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale and Metacognition Self-Assessment Scale. The quality of professional life showed significant correlations with the psychological characteristics studied. We then tested different regression models: coping orientation scores were found to be a significant predictor of quality of work life for all three components, while emotional dysregulation scores appeared to predict only the burnout component. The quality of professional life of social health professionals was influenced by individual resources at different levels, regardless of knowledge and skills. They showed greater fatigue and aspects of secondary traumatization when emotional disengagement occurred and it seemed to be difficult for them to accept their emotional reactions.

Identifying and regulating emotions after acquired brain injury: the role of interoceptive sensibility.

Interoceptive deficits are associated with difficulties in identifying and regulating emotions. However, research on interoception after acquired brain injury (ABI) is scarce, and its relationship with emotional difficulties in this population is unknown. This study aimed to (1) examine differences in self-reported alexithymia, performance-based emotional awareness, emotion regulation, depression, and interoceptive sensibility between ABI and control individuals; and (2) analyze the role of adaptive interoceptive dimensions in these emotional processes after ABI. Forty-three individuals with ABI and 42 matched control individuals completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness-2, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Compared to the control group, individuals with ABI showed reduced tendency to ignore unpleasant sensations increased severity of depressive symptoms, as well as tendencies to have greater difficulties in emotion regulation and lower emotional awareness. Additionally, interoceptive dimensions such as trusting, as well as not-distracting from and not-worrying about bodily sensations, played a relevant role in explaining lower alexithymia and difficulties in emotion regulation. Moreover, lower alexithymia and emotion dysregulation were related to less depressive symptoms. These relationships were invariant across ABI and control individuals. Although individuals with ABI may have different levels of emotional abilities compared to non-ABI individuals, the relationship patterns between interoceptive and emotional processes appear to be similar between the two groups. This study suggests the potential benefit of addressing both interoceptive and emotional difficulties in treatments targeting such prevalent sequelae of ABI as depressive symptoms.

Evaluation of a Modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention for Adults with Cerebral Palsy and Anxiety and/or Emotion Regulation Difficulties-A Randomised Control Trial.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has not yet been evaluated for people with cerebral palsy (CP). The aims of this randomised control trial were to investigate whether a modified telehealth MBSR program could improve mindfulness and reduce depression, anxiety, and emotion regulation difficulties among adults with CP with elevated anxiety and/or emotional regulation difficulties. Participants (n = 31) with elevated anxiety and/or emotion regulation difficulties and no/mild intellectual impairment were randomised to a modified telehealth MBSR program (90 min weekly, 9 weeks) group or a wait-list group. Measurements were collected prior to (T1), after (T2), and 8 weeks post-intervention (T3). The primary outcome was the mean between-group difference in the change in Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-R (CAMS-R) scores in T1-T2. The secondary outcomes included mean within-group differences over time for the CAMS-R total scores, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 subscales, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) total t-score. We found no statistically significant between-group difference in mean change in mindfulness scores for T1-T2 (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes: The MBSR intervention group had improved CAMS-R scores with respect to T1-T2 and T1-T3; improved mean scores for Depression and Stress subscales for T1-T2; and improved DERS t-scores for T1-T2 and T1-T3. In conclusion, this study found no significant between-group difference for the primary outcome of mindfulness. The MBSR program was successfully modified for adults with CP and was effective in improving depression, stress, and emotion regulation. ACTRN12621000960853.

Let the Body Talk: Preliminary Data of an Open Trial of Dance Movement Therapy for Eating Disorders.

There is growing support for considering Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) as an effective approach to improving physical and psychological symptoms in eating disorders (ED), but additional evidence is needed. The current study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a DMT intervention for inpatients with ED during an in-hospital rehabilitation program for ED in reducing emotion dysregulation and alexithymia and improving interoceptive awareness. Forty-nine consecutive inpatient young women with ED (aged between 18 and 34 years) recruited from a clinical center for the rehabilitation of obesity and ED received four group sessions of DMT intervention. All participants completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), and the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness Scale (MAIA) before (Time 0) and after the intervention (Time 1). Paired-sample t-tests were run to assess differences between Time 0 to Time 1. From pre-to-post interventions, there was a significant reduction in the means of all of the subscales of DERS, suggesting an improvement in emotion regulation competencies, with the only exception for difficulties in awareness that increased (p = 0.016). We also found a significant reduction in alexithymia, as proved by significant differences in all of the subscales and the total score of TAS (p < 0.001), and significant improvements in interoceptive awareness as suggested by increased scores of the noticing (p = 0.043), emotional awareness (p < 0.001), body listening (p < 0.001), and trusting (p < 0.001) subscales of MAIA. Overall, our results point towards the efficacy of dance/movement in reducing symptoms of eating disorders. Our findings also suggest that dancing can be considered a useful intervention to increase emotional regulation, reduce alexithymia, and enhance interoceptive awareness.

Exploring the Utility of the Rorschach Test in Predicting Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery

Abstract: Bariatric surgery (BS) is an effective approach to treat severe obesity, which should include multidisciplinary care. Prior to surgery, candidates for BS usually undergo a psychological assessment based mostly on self-report of clinical symptoms. However, the results of this assessment are not always sufficient to predict outcomes. Therefore, this study examined the potential of a multimethod approach to assessing patients seeking BS using both self-report and performance-based measures of cognitive and affective functioning. A sample of 50 women who had applied for surgery at a public facility in Brazil were assessed with the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS), and the Trail Making Test (TMT). Patients who dropped out before treatment ( n = 27) had higher initial body mass index and poorer performance on cognitive flexibility at baseline. In the remaining 23 patients who underwent surgery, indicators of emotional and cognitive functioning from all measures were associated with weight loss (WL) at 6 and 12 months after surgery. However, only R-PAS variables regarding psychological resources were associated with WL 18 months after surgery. We discuss the usefulness of the Rorschach as a source of information for patients seeking BS and the implications for current assessment practices in the field.

Emotional Dysregulation and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms: Which Interaction in Adolescents and Young Adults? A Systematic Review.

Emotional dysregulation (ED) has recently been conceptualized as a transnosographic entity in major mental disorders, and increasing evidence has suggested association between ED and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), though the nature of this association is unclear. The aim of the present review was to examine the possible interplay between ED and trauma exposure in the literature, as well as a possible role for the comorbidity of PTSD or PTSS in adolescents and young adults. In particular, we explored whether ED may represent a risk factor for PTSD or, conversely, a consequence of traumatic exposure. This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Embase). The 34 studies included showed a wide heterogeneity in terms of the populations selected and outcomes examined. Most studies used the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and examined the relationship between ED, trauma, and psychopathological manifestations after the occurrence of trauma, with a focus on child abuse. Although current data in the literature are heterogeneous and inconclusive, this research highlights the role of ED as a mechanism that may mediate vulnerability to PTSD, but also as a predictor of severity and maintenance of typical, atypical, or associated PTSD symptoms, suggesting prevention programs for PTSD and other mental disorders should support the development of emotion regulation strategies.

The Role of Emotion Dysregulation in Problematic Exercise in those with Eating Disorders

Problematic exercise is common in eating disorders (EDs) and is associated with poor treatment prognosis; thus, understanding factors associated with problematic exercise may help improve treatment outcomes. In non-clinical samples, emotion dysregulation has been associated with problematic exercise; however, longitudinal associations between emotion dysregulation and problematic exercise have not been examined in clinical ED samples. This study examined if (1) emotion dysregulating was associated with problematic exercise symptom severity and frequency of problematic exercise, and (2) early changes in emotion dysregulation during treatment predicted problematic exercise symptom severity and frequency of problematic exercise in a clinical ED sample. ED patients (N = 207) completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire, and the Excessive Exercise subscale of Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory at admission, 1-month post-admission, and discharge. DERS total score was correlated with symptom severity and frequency of problematic exercise at admission. Furthermore, early changes in DERS total score from admission to 1-month predicted problematic exercise symptom severity but not frequency of problematic exercise at discharge. Thus, emotion dysregulation may maintain symptoms of problematic exercise but not frequency in EDs, providing initial evidence that targeting emotion dysregulation may help reduce symptom severity of problematic exercise.

The relationships of neuropsychological factors and loneliness preference in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and cognitive disengagement syndrome

This study aimed to examine emotion dysregulation and internalizing disorders mediating the relationship between selective and sustained attention and loneliness preference in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS). This study included 176 children and adolescents between ages 8 and 12. The solitude scale for children, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Child Behavior Checklist, Barkley Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Scale, and CNS Vital Signs test were used. The results suggest that difficulties in emotion regulation and having an internalizing disorder had a mediating effect between difficulties in selective attention and preference for the loneliness of children with ADHD + CDS. Also, it was likely that the association between sustained attention and preference for loneliness is mediated by internalizing disorders. The results suggest that the social problems commonly exhibited by children with ADHD + CDS may be related to deficits in sustained and selective attention.