Functional Emotion Regulation Strategies Research Articles

If not belief in God, then what? Identifying factors that contribute to well-being among Polish nonbelievers

Recent estimates by the Pew Research Center show that Poland is one of the fastest secularizing countries in the world. Despite the growing role of such attitudes in Poland and other countries around the world, still little is known about the psychosocial functioning and mental health of nonbelievers. The present study aimed to fill in this knowledge gap by examining various factors that may contribute to nonbelievers’ well-being, including perceived social support, emotion regulation strategies, secular beliefs (humanism and belief in science), and clarity of self-beliefs. Five hundred Polish nonbelievers took part in this study, of whom 38% reported no nominal affiliation with any religious or secular group, 33% affiliated with Roman Catholics, and 22% identified as Atheists. Comparing these groups, we found that while Catholics and Atheists did not differ significantly in terms of their overall well-being, religious “nones” scored lower than Catholics on overall well-being (but not meaning in life or social support). In addition, it was found that—at the level of the whole sample—having greater clarity of self-beliefs, using functional emotion regulation strategies, as well as having greater perceived social support were all positively associated with the presence of meaning in life and well-being.

Effect of Personality Traits and Emotion Regulation Strategies on Risky Behaviors in Adolescents.

The current study investigated the effects of personality traits and emotion regulation strategies on high-risk behaviors among adolescents (N = 1,572). This study used a cross-sectional and correlational research design. Multiple linear regression was used for analysis. A 1-unit increase in extraversion and neuroticism led to a 0.391- and 0.365-unit increase in high-risk behaviors, respectively. However, a 1-unit increase in agreeableness and conscientiousness led to a 0.307- and 0.365-unit decrease in high-risk behaviors, respectively (p < 0.05). A 1-unit increase in external and internal dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies led to a 1.34- and 0.548-unit increase in high-risk behaviors, respectively. However, a 1-unit increase in internal functional emotion regulation strategies led to a 0.641-unit decrease in high-risk behaviors (p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that age, school type, sex, grade level, father's educational level, father's child-rearing style, and school performance were associated with more high-risk behaviors (p < 0.05). There were correlations between some personality traits, emotion regulation strategies, sociodemographic characteristics, and high-risk behaviors. Early intervention programs targeting dysfunctional personality traits and emotion regulation skills in adolescence may prevent the development of risky behaviors in adulthood. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(2), 23-36.].

The mediating role of emotion regulation strategies on the association between rejection sensitivity, aggression, withdrawal, and prosociality.

Although previous studies have shown that rejection sensitivity (RS) is related to aggressive, prosocial, and withdrawal behaviors, little is known on the underlying mechanisms. This contribution aims to fill this gap by showing the usefulness of differentiating between the cognitive (expectation) and emotional (anxiety, anger) components of RS and testing the potential mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation (ER) strategies for predicting aggressive, prosocial, and withdrawal tendencies. Results from data collected in a sample of young adults (N = 445) showed that rejection expectation was only negatively linked to prosociality and that 2 functional ER strategies (i.e., positive reappraisal and putting into perspective) negatively mediate this relation. Conversely, dysfunctional ER strategies positively mediated the positive links between anger about rejection and aggression (i.e., catastrophizing and other blaming) as well as withdrawal (i.e., catastrophizing) and between anxiety about rejection and withdrawal (i.e., self-blame and rumination). We discussed the implications of the results for the comprehension of the role of ER strategies in behaviors linked to RS. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Resting-state BOLD temporal variability in sensorimotor and salience networks underlies trait emotional intelligence and explains differences in emotion regulation strategies

A converging body of behavioural findings supports the hypothesis that the dispositional use of emotion regulation (ER) strategies depends on trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) levels. Unfortunately, neuroscientific investigations of such relationship are missing. To fill this gap, we analysed trait measures and resting state data from 79 healthy participants to investigate whether trait EI and ER processes are associated to similar neural circuits. An unsupervised machine learning approach (independent component analysis) was used to decompose resting-sate functional networks and to assess whether they predict trait EI and specific ER strategies. Individual differences results showed that high trait EI significantly predicts and negatively correlates with the frequency of use of typical dysfunctional ER strategies. Crucially, we observed that an increased BOLD temporal variability within sensorimotor and salience networks was associated with both high trait EI and the frequency of use of cognitive reappraisal. By contrast, a decreased variability in salience network was associated with the use of suppression. These findings support the tight connection between trait EI and individual tendency to use functional ER strategies, and provide the first evidence that modulations of BOLD temporal variability in specific brain networks may be pivotal in explaining this relationship.

Who is seeking help for psychological distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic? Characterization of risk factors in 1269 participants accessing low-threshold psychological help.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying restrictions are associated with substantial psychological distress. However, it is unclear how this increased strain translates into help-seeking behavior. Here, we aim to characterize those individuals who seek help for COVID-19 related psychological distress, and examine which factors are associated with their levels of distress in order to better characterize vulnerable groups.MethodsWe report data from 1269 help-seeking participants subscribing to a stepped-care program targeted at mental health problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sample characteristics were compared to population data, and linear regression analyses were used to examine which risk factors and stressors were associated with current symptom levels.ResultsSeeking for help for COVID-19 related psychological distress was characterized by female gender, younger age, and better education compared to the general population. The majority reported mental health problems already before the pandemic. 74.5% of this help-seeking sample also exceeded clinical thresholds for depression, anxiety, or somatization. Higher individual symptom levels were associated with higher overall levels of pandemic stress, younger age, and pre-existing mental health problems, but were buffered by functional emotion regulation strategies.ConclusionsResults suggest a considerable increase in demand for mental-healthcare in the pandemic aftermath. Comparisons with the general population indicate diverging patterns in help-seeking behavior: while some individuals seek help themselves, others should be addressed directly. Individuals that are young, have pre-existing mental health problems and experience a high level of pandemic stress are particularly at-risk for considerable symptom load. Mental-healthcare providers should use these results to prepare for the significant increase in demand during the broader aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as allocate limited resources more effectively.

COVID-19 pandemic and health worker stress: The mediating effect of emotional regulation.

Background/IntroductionPsychological and physical well-being of health personnel has been significantly affected by COVID-19. Work overload and continuous exposure to positive COVID-19 cases have caused them fatigue, stress, anxiety, insomnia and other detriments. This research aims: 1) to analyze whether the use of cognitive reevaluation and emotional suppression strategies decreases and increases, respectively, stress levels of health personnel; 2) to quantify the impact of contact with patients with COVID-19 on stress levels of medical staff.MethodEmotion regulation strategies (cognitive reevaluation and emotional expression) and stress levels were evaluated in 155 Dominican physicians who were treating people infected with COVID-19 at the moment of the study (67.9% women and 32.1% men; mean age = 34.89; SD = 9.26). In addition, a questionnaire created by the researchers quantified the impact that contact with those infected had on their stress levels.ResultsContact with patients with COVID-19 predicts increased use of emotion suppression strategies, although is not associated with the use of cognitive reevaluation. These findings lead to an even greater increase in stress on health care providers.ConclusionsContextual contingencies demand immediate responses and may not allow health personnel to use cognitive re-evaluation strategies, leaning more towards emotion suppression. However, findings regarding high levels of stress require the implementation of intervention programs focused on the promotion of more functional emotion regulation strategies. Such programs may reduce current stress and prevent post-traumatic symptoms.

Emotion regulation and emotional eating in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

ABSTRACT Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) show emotion regulation deficits. While individuals with BN use binge eating to regulate negative affect, individuals with restricting-type AN may use self-starvation for this purpose. The current study examined the emotion regulatory function of over- and undereating in response to different emotional states in women with restrictive AN (n = 54), BN (n = 47), and women without eating disorders (n = 68). Participants completed self-report measures assessing the use of emotion regulation strategies and emotional eating. Both patient groups reported using more dysfunctional and less functional emotion regulation strategies than controls. The BN group reported eating more than usual in response to negative emotions but less than usual in response to positive emotions. In contrast, the AN group reported eating more than usual in response to positive emotions and less than usual in response to negative emotions. More dysfunctional emotion regulation related to eating less in response to negative emotions in the AN group. Less functional emotion regulation related to eating less when being happy in the BN group. The current study highlights the need to differentiate between different eating outcomes and different emotional states when examining emotion effects on food intake.

Next-day effects of dysfunctional and functional emotion regulation and the moderating role of experiential avoidance

This work examined the influence of trait experiential avoidance (EA) on the relationship between functional versus dysfunctional emotion regulation (ER) strategies and next-day negative emotion. Participants (N = 154) reported levels of EA, and then provided daily measurements of negative emotional intensity and frequency of the use of dysfunctional and functional ER strategies that are focused inwards towards the self (internal) or outwards towards others (external) for six consecutive days. Hierarchical linear modeling indicated that higher internal-dysfunctional ER strategy use predicted higher next-day emotional intensity. Also, trait EA moderated the relationship between external-dysfunctional ER use and next-day negative emotion: lower EA individuals experienced higher, but higher EA individuals experienced lower, negative emotion the day following increased external-dysfunctional strategy use. Findings suggest internal-dysfunctional ER is associated with increased next-day negative emotion. As well, external-dysfunctional strategies are associated with next-day emotion among individuals who are more aware of emotion (i.e., lower EA), and may lead to a blunted response among those higher in EA. A range of explanations for the moderating effect of trait EA on the relationship between external-dysfunctional ER and next day emotion are discussed.

Brief CBT group therapy for Mexican homeless girls

AbstractHomeless girls suffer labour and sexual exploitation, abuse, discrimination and social exclusion at a higher rate than the rest of the population. However, worldwide information on homeless girls and intervention programmes for this group are scarce. This study examined the preliminary efficacy of a brief cognitive behavioural group therapy tailored to Mexican homeless girls. The intervention targeted subjective well-being and these determinants: symptoms of anxiety, symptoms of depression, assertive behaviours and functional emotion regulation skills. Results revealed statistically significant differences in symptoms of anxiety and depression, assertiveness, emotion regulation strategies and subjective well-being with treatment effects that ranged from moderate to large. Symptoms of anxiety and depression, and dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies decreased. Assertive skills, functional emotion regulation strategies, and subjective well-being increased. Outcomes were clinically relevant. At 2-month follow-up, participants showed improvement from pre-treatment on all measures. The current study provides unique findings in terms of a promising preliminary intervention that helps restore homeless girls to a healthier social/emotional developmental path especially in the context of Latin American cities. As a result, the clinical implications of this research highlight the urgent need to design effective interventions based on the observed characteristics and identified needs among homeless girls.

How to improve the well-being of homeless girls: an exploratory study

ABSTRACTWorldwide, homeless girls are a highly vulnerable group. They suffer sexual exploitation and forced labor, discrimination, and social exclusion at a higher rate than the rest of the general population. They often present anxiety and depression, unassertiveness and emotion dysregulation, among other psychosocial characteristics. All of these factors negatively impact subjective well-being, further worsening their mental health. Subjective well-being has both immediate (mental health, health behaviors) and long-term, cumulative effects on health (physical health, mortality), representing opportunities for investment in population health. Despite the relevance of subjective well-being and its associated factors, there is scarce research on the plight of homeless girls in Mexico and Latin America, which leads to ineffective interventions, policy actions and to a diminished quality of life. This study was carried out to develop and test a path model of well-being in 240 Mexican homeless girls ages 6–23 years old. Symptoms of anxiety and depression, assertiveness and emotion regulation strategies were used as factors influencing subjective well-being. Results showed that symptoms of depression and functional emotion regulation strategies have a significant direct influence on subjective well-being. Symptoms of anxiety and dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies have an indirect influence on subjective well-being with symptoms of depression as the mediating variable. Assertiveness did not significantly influence well-being directly and indirectly. Functional and dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies have a positive significant correlation. Fit indexes obtained indicate an excellent adjustment to data. R square indicates that 38% of the variance in subjective well-being can be explained by this model. Hence, the current study provides unique findings in terms of a model of well-being through which it is possible to design and implement interventions that increase such well-being in order to promote healthier social and emotional developmental trajectories in homeless girls, especially in the context of Latin American cities.

Effects of Emotional Regulation Strategies on the Relations of Spousal Abuse, Depression and Physical Symptoms

The emotional and physical problems can arise from spousal abuse. The purposes of this study were to investigate the influence of spousal abuse on depression and physical symptoms and to examine direct and indirect effects of functional and dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies to depression and physical symptoms. The participants were 232 adults. The Korea version of the Index of Spouse Abuse (K-ISA), Regulation of Emotions Questionnaire (REQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Physical Symptoms Scale were administered to participants. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS was used for the purpose of analysis. The results showed that physical and psychological abuse and controlling behavior were associated with severity of depression and physical symptoms and the functional emotion regulation strategies had the direct and indirect effects on depression and physical symptoms of those who experience spousal abuse. These results might contribute to development of psychological intervention program for those who have experienced spousal abuse. Finally, the limitations and implications of the current study were discussed.

Development and Validation of the Heidelberg Form for Emotion Regulation Strategies (HFERST): Factor Structure, Reliability, and Validity.

The Heidelberg Form for Emotion Regulation Strategies (HFERST) was developed to complement previous emotion regulation (ER) questionnaires and addresses some of their limitations by measuring eight ER strategies. An initial item pool was developed in German following expert discussions and adaptation of the items from existing ER scales. Following a stepwise selection based on the experts' judgments, 32 items with the best content validity were chosen. Results of an exploratory factor analysis in Study 1 (N = 399) and two confirmatory factor analyses in Studies 2 (N = 715) and 3 (N = 408) supported the eight-factor structure of the HFERST and provided evidence for its internal consistency, construct and criterion validity, and clinical utility. Study 4 supported a 2-week stability of the HFERST and Study 5 showed that, following an ER intervention, the HFERST captured a reduction in dysfunctional and an improvement in functional ER strategies, which again supports the clinical utility of the HFERST.

The Predictive Role of Emotion Regulation Strategies on Depressive and Psychosomatic Symptoms in Adolescents

The main purpose of the current study was to investigate the predictive role of emotion regulation strategies on depression and psychosomatic symptoms in adolescents. The secondary purpose was to examine the predictive role of some demographic variables on depression and psychosomatic symptoms. The participants for this study comprised 319 high school students [G = 155 (48.6%), B = 164 (51.4%)], attending three high schools from 9th to 11th grade, and representing different socioeconomic levels in Diyarbakir city center. A Personal Data Form was used to gather data regarding demographic variables. The Turkish version the Children’s Depression Inventory, Regulation of Emotions Questionnaire, and Psychosomatic Subscale of Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale were the instruments of the study. Standard regression analysis revealed that academic achievement and grade level were significant predictors of depressive symptoms, while academic achievement and gender variables had predictive power for psychosomatic symptoms. Moreover, hierarchical regression analysis indicated that all emotion regulation strategies played a predictive role in depression, while internal dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies and external dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies were significant predictors of psychosomatic symptoms. Taking into consideration that the research findings revealed that emotion regulation strategies played a predictive role on both depression and psychosomatic symptoms, assisting adolescents to develop functional emotion regulation strategies may improve the mental health quality of adolescents.

Effects of a Transactional Analysis Program on Adolescents’ Emotion Regulation

&lt;p&gt;Most adolescents are susceptible to exhibit emotional disorders due to rapid changes that occur during adolescence (Rudolph, 2002). To cope with such an issue, it is required to apply intervention programs in order to develop their competencies (Viner et al., 2012). In this study, the effect of transactional analysis on emotion regulation of 10th-grade female high school students has been examined by utilizing a quasi-experimental research (pre-test, post-test, and a control group design). Two classes have been chosen by cluster sampling and randomly assigned as the experimental and control groups. The Regulation of Emotion Questionnaire (Phillips &amp;amp; power, 2007) was administrated. The transactional analysis program has been hold in eight sessions for the experimental group. Both groups were reexamined for follow-up a month later. The collected data were analyzed by Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) indicates a significant increase in the functional emotion regulation strategies as well as a marked decrease in the dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies. The follow-up test also revealed an adequate stability. The implications of transactional analysis program will be discussed.&lt;/p&gt;

Functional and dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies for depressive symptoms in adolescents

Dysfunctional and functional emotion regulation strategies in adolescence have so far been examined separately, but not in interaction. Our aim is to analyze a possible compensation of dysfunctional regulation strategies through functional strategies in depressive symptoms. Method: The Regulation of Emotions Questionnaire (REQ) was used to examine the ability of emotion regulation in 247 adolescents between 12 to 17 years (M = 14.41, SD = 1.39). To measure depressive symptoms, Allgemeine Depressionsskala (ADS) was established. Results speak for a compensation of internal-dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies with internal-functional emotion regulation strategies in girls. In boys, functional emotion regulation strategies strengthen the relationship between internal-dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies and depressive symptoms. Other strategies do not interact with each another. Results indicate a compensative effect in girls, while in boys functional emotion regulation seems to have an amplifying effect on depressive symptoms. Results suggest that boys use functional strategies in a dysfunctional way, while girls are able to use them appropriately. An exploration of the understanding of functional emotion regulation may enable approaches to treatment.

Examining the relationship between emotion regulation deficits and borderline personality disorder features: A daily diary study

This study used a six-day daily diary methodology to precisely specify the nature of emotion regulation deficits associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD) features. Three possibilities were explored: that BPD features are associated with (1) the overall underuse of emotion regulation strategies; (2) the overuse of dysfunctional and the underuse of functional strategies; and (3) the lower perceived effectiveness of emotion regulation strategies. One hundred and fifty-four undergraduate participants completed self-report measures of BPD feature severity, and then reported their daily negative emotional intensity, whether or not they used various emotion regulation strategies, and whether or not the strategies that they used were effective across a six-day period. Higher BPD features were associated with (a) higher total frequency use of emotion regulation strategies; (b) higher frequency use of dysfunctional and functional emotion regulation strategies; and (c) less self-reported effectiveness of functional strategies. BPD features may be characterized by increased attempts to regulate emotions, without corresponding increases in perceived effectiveness.

The relationship between compulsive exercise and emotion regulation in adolescents

Compulsive exercise is suggested to be a strategy to regulate emotions. This suggestion has never been studied in adolescents. Therefore, this study examined the cross-sectional association between emotion regulation and compulsive exercise attitudes in adolescents. A cross-sectional design was employed for this study. A sample of 1,630 adolescent boys and girls completed self-report measures of compulsive exercise, emotion regulation, and disordered eating attitudes, as part of ongoing research into exercise and eating attitudes in adolescents. Compulsive exercise was significantly associated with emotion regulation, after controlling for disordered eating attitudes. Among boys, compulsive exercise was associated with internal functional, internal dysfunctional, and external functional emotion regulation strategies. In girls, internal functional and internal dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies predicted compulsive exercise. Adolescents' compulsivity towards exercise is positively associated with different emotion regulation strategies. More work is needed to identify whether emotion regulation strategies longitudinally predict compulsive exercise.

Specificity of emotion regulation deficits in social anxiety: An internet study

There is evidence for an association between social anxiety and emotion regulation difficulties. This study investigates that emotion regulation difficulties are specific to two domains of social anxiety. An explorative study was conducted to examine the associations between emotion regulation facets and social anxiety in the normal population. N= 149 healthy volunteers participated in an internet-based survey. Emotion regulation deficits were measured by the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale which consists of six subscales. Social anxiety was measured by the Social Phobia Scale and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that anxiety of interactive social situations is associated with non-acceptance of negative emotions, impulse control difficulties, and lack of functional emotion regulation strategies over and above the impact of age and general psychopathology. In contrast, anxiety of being observed by others was not specifically associated with emotion regulation strategies. The results support the hypothesis that specific emotion regulation deficits are relevant to specific aspects of social anxiety. Implications for further research and therapy are discussed.

Promoting Adaptive Emotion Regulation and Coping in Adolescence

Particularly in adolescence, fostering adaptive emotion regulation is an important aim in health promotion. Expressive writing in combination with psycho-education on emotion regulation seems especially appropriate to serve this aim. In this study, school classes were randomly assigned either to a prevention ( N = 208) or to a non-treatment control group ( N = 151). The prevention group showed significant improvements regarding negative affect, grades, and days absent compared to the control-group. A combination of expressive writing with elements of psycho-education of emotion regulation might be an effective preventive tool, as it seems to improve psychosocial adjustment by establishing functional emotion regulation strategies.

PW01-13 - Neurocognitive mechanisms of emotion regulation in depression

ObjectivesNeurocognitive impairments in depression have traditionally been regarded as epiphenomena of the illness. Increasing evidence for the stability of neurocognitive deficits outside of depressive episodes implicates their potential role as mechanisms for emotion dysregulation associated with depressive states. This study thus examined associations between neurocognition and emotion regulation in currently depressed patients.MethodsParticipants were thirty patients presenting with current DSM-IV major depression. Participants completed neurocognitive tasks assessing executive function, attention, working memory, and response control to emotional stimuli. The capacity to implement functional emotion regulation strategies was assessed using additive sub-scales from the ‘Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire’ (CERQ), while emotion regulation difficulties were assessed using the ‘Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale’ (DERS).ResultsNeurocognitive performance was compared between sub-groups of patients identified via median split on combined CERQ and DERS items. Patients reporting greater difficulties in emotion regulation demonstrated impaired sustained attention and response control, and increased reaction time to negative stimuli, in comparison to those reporting fewer difficulties. In addition, patients with better access to functional strategies demonstrated better attentional performance and fewer errors of omission to positive stimuli on the response control task.ConclusionsNeuropsychological impairments in attention and response inhibition may contribute to emotion dysregulation in depressive episodes. By implication, remediation of particular neurocognitive deficits may improve the capacity to implement context-appropriate emotion regulation strategies in affective disorders. Examination of associations between neurocognitive impairment and emotion dysregulation outside of acute illness episodes is necessary to determine the relevance of these associations for illness development.