Improve Emotion Regulation Research Articles

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Reducing Stress and Improving Emotion Regulation in Patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Objective: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a significant challenge in the field of mental health, requiring effective and sustainable interventions. Methods and Materials: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy in reducing stress and improving emotion regulation in clients with PTSD. The statistical population included clients with PTSD who visited counseling and psychological services centers in Rasht in 2024. From this population, 30 individuals were selected through convenience sampling and divided into experimental and control groups (15 people in each group). The instruments used included the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 and statistical methods such as independent t-test, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and Pearson correlation analysis. Findings: The results indicated that mindfulness-based therapy significantly reduced stress and improved emotion regulation in clients with PTSD. Conclusion: These findings were consistent with previous studies and demonstrated that mindfulness-based therapy could be used as an effective and sustainable method for managing PTSD symptoms. However, limitations such as a limited statistical population, relatively small sample size, and the use of self-report questionnaires should be considered in future research. Suggestions for future research include conducting studies with larger samples and longer follow-up periods, combining mindfulness-based therapy with other therapeutic methods, and using more objective assessment tools.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Schema Therapy and Life Therapy on Emotion Regulation and Attitudes Towards Eating in Women with Obesity

Currently, obesity is considered a major health threat in developed countries. Various approaches have historically provided different solutions for individuals with obesity. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy and Life Therapy on emotion regulation and eating attitudes in women with obesity. The present research was a quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test with a control group and follow-up period. The sample consisted of 45 women with obesity who sought treatment at the Omid Clinic of Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital. They were selected through purposive non-random sampling and randomly assigned into two experimental groups (schema therapy and Life Therapy) and one control group. The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) by Garnefski et al. (2002) and the Eating Attitude Test (EAT) by Garner and Garfinkel (1979) were employed. Each experimental group underwent eight 90-minute sessions of either schema therapy or Life Therapy, while the control group received no intervention. Data analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The findings indicated that both schema therapy and Life Therapy significantly affect emotion regulation and eating attitudes (p < 0.05). Moreover, Life Therapy was found to be more effective than schema therapy in improving emotion regulation and eating attitudes (p < 0.05). It can be concluded that both schema therapy and Life Therapy are effective in improving emotion regulation and attitudes towards eating in women with obesity, with Life Therapy being more effective. Thus, these approaches can be utilized alongside medical interventions and care in treatment centers.

Effectiveness of Integrating Quality of Life-Based Therapy and Phototherapy on Emotion Regulation, Depression, and Anxiety in Psychosomatic Patients

The current research was conducted to examine the effectiveness of integrating quality of life-based therapy and phototherapy on improving emotion regulation and reducing depression and anxiety in psychosomatic disorder patients in Isfahan city. This study was quasi-experimental, and its design was experimental and control with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. The statistical population consisted of psychosomatic patients in Isfahan city. The statistical sample included 30 patients with psychosomatic disorders, who were conveniently selected and non-randomly assigned into two groups: experimental (15 participants) and control (15 participants). The research tools included: Gratz's Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (2004), Beck's Depression Inventory (1990), and Beck's Anxiety Inventory (1990). Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (analysis of variance with repeated measures) were used for data analysis. The results indicated that integrating quality of life-based therapy and phototherapy was effective in improving emotion regulation, depression, and anxiety.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating mental health condition characterized by persistent intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). While cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) involving exposure and response prevention (ERP) and pharmacotherapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are first-line treatments, many individuals continue to experience persistent symptoms or achieve only partial remission. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), which aim to cultivate present-moment awareness and acceptance of internal experiences, have emerged as a promising adjunctive or alternative treatment approach for OCD. This review synthesizes the existing literature on the use of MBIs, such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), for OCD. Potential mechanisms by which MBIs may benefit individuals with OCD include improved attentional regulation, enhanced emotion regulation skills, reduced cognitive inflexibility through promoting cognitive defusion, and decreased experiential avoidance of intrusive thoughts and urges. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of MBIs in reducing OCD symptom severity, and providing insights into how MBIs can increase acceptance, improve emotion regulation, and foster a greater sense of control over symptoms.

DAILY FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH EMOTIONAL DYSREGULATION AMONG DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS

Abstract Family dementia caregivers experience increased burden and stress that can negatively impact emotion regulation and overall well-being. Further, a lack of social connection may contribute to emotion dysregulation among dementia caregivers. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between daily caregiving stress, social isolation, emotion regulation, and depression in a sample of community-dwelling dementia caregivers. Participants (N=30) completed a baseline survey and a series of daily diaries over a 14-day period (n=323 data points) that asked about day-to-day caregiving experiences. Data were analyzed using mixed-level modeling. Higher than average stress related to behavioral symptoms of dementia was associated with an increase in the odds of experiencing feelings of losing control over one’s emotions (OR=1.08, 95% CI [1.01, 1.15], p<0.05). Similarly, higher perceived social isolation on a given day was associated with an increase in the daily odds of feeling a loss of control over one’s emotions (OR=1.28, 95% CI [1.00, 1.27], p<0.05). Further, feeling a loss of control over one’s emotions was associated with an increase in the daily odds of depression-related symptoms (OR=3.39, 95% CI [1.43, 8.08], p<0.01). These findings highlight the importance of addressing the emotional well-being of family dementia caregivers, particularly in the context of stress related to behavioral symptoms of dementia and social isolation. Caregiver support programs and interventions that focus on improving emotion regulation and reducing social isolation may help promote the mental health and well-being of dementia caregivers.

EMOTION REGULATION IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: EFFECTS ON ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION- A SCOPING REVIEW

Comorbid conditions, such as anxiety and depression, pose diagnostic challenges due to their complex interaction with core autism spectrum disorder features. Emotion regulation is a key concept in the transdiagnostic framework which suggests shared cognitive and behavioral processes among mental disorders. The review aims to examine the emotion regulation effects on anxiety and depression in autism spectrum disorder. A systematic search was conducted from December 2022. to May 2023., using SCOPUS and Google Scholar, with predefined eligibility criteria. Analysis of the twelve included publications unveiled emotion regulation challenges in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Importantly, these maladaptive strategies were found to be significantly linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression. These findings emphasize the need for interventions that specifically target and improve emotion regulation in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. By enhancing their emotional regulation skills, it may be possible to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression in this population.

Adult age-related differences in susceptibility to social conformity pressures in self-control over daily desires.

Developmental literature suggests that susceptibility to social conformity pressure peaks in adolescence and disappears with maturity into early adulthood. Predictions about these behaviors are less clear for middle-aged and older adults. On the one hand, while age-related increases in prioritization of socioemotional goals might predict greater susceptibility to social conformity pressures, aging is also associated with enhanced emotion regulation that could support resistance to conformity pressures. In this exploratory research study, we used mobile experience sampling surveys to naturalistically track how 157 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 80 practice self-control over spontaneous desires in daily life. Many of these desires were experienced in the presence of others enacting that desire. Results showed that middle-aged and older adults were better at controlling their desires than younger adults when desires were experienced in the presence of others enacting that desire. Consistent with the literature on improved emotion regulation with age, these results provide evidence that the ability to resist social conformity pressure is enhanced across the adult life span. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A smartphone-based intervention for young people who self-harm (‘PRIMARY’): study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial

BackgroundSelf-harm in young people is a public health concern connected with severe mental health problems, such as personality pathology. Currently, there are no specific evidence-based interventions available for young people who self-harm. Therefore, we developed PRe-Intervention Monitoring of Affect and Relationships in Youth (PRIMARY), a smartphone-based intervention, co-designed by clinicians and young people with lived experience of mental ill-health. PRIMARY combines the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) with weekly report sessions. The study aims to examine the effectiveness of PRIMARY with regard to reducing self-harm, and improving emotion regulation and quality of relationships.MethodsThis study is a multicenter, parallel groups, randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the PRIMARY intervention to a waiting list control group. PRIMARY comprises 28 consecutive days of questionnaires five times each day (i.e., ESM) and four weekly report sessions. Participants will comprise 180 young people referred for treatment to the participating Dutch mental healthcare institutions and (1) are aged 12 to 25 years, and (2) engaged in ≥ 1 act of self-harm in the past year. Participants are randomly allocated to a study group after screening in a 1:1 ratio by an independent researcher using computer-generated randomization sequences with stratified block randomization by age (12 to 15 years / 16 to 25 years). Staff will conduct assessments with all participants at baseline (Wave 1), after 28 days (Wave 2), and in a subsample after 10 weeks of subsequent specialized treatment (Wave 3). The primary outcomes are self-harm, emotion regulation, and quality of relationships. Secondary outcomes include patient and clinician satisfaction. Exploratory analyses of ESM data will examine the relationship between emotions, social relationships, and self-harm.DiscussionThe results of this trial will clarify whether an innovative smartphone-based intervention is effective for reducing self harm and improving emotion regulation and the quality of social relationships. It has the potential to fill a treatment gap of interventions specifically targeting self-harm. If proven effective, it would provide an accessible, easy-to-implement, low-cost intervention for young people. Furthermore, the ESM-data will allow detailed analyses into the processes underlying self-harm, which will contribute to theoretical knowledge regarding the behavior.Trial registrationISRCTN42088538 (https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN42088538), retrospectively registered on the 26th of October 2022.

The Effects of Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy on Emotion Regulation and Cognitive Flexibility of Emotionally Divorced Couples

Background: The upward trends in divorce and the conflicts and distress in couples’ relationships made researchers seek cost-effective interventions to reduce marital problems. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT) on emotion regulation and cognitive flexibility among emotionally divorced couples (EDCs). Methods: The study was conducted on 20-50-year-old EDCs visiting Ramshir counseling centers in Iran in 2022. The purposive sampling method was used to select 12 couples (24 individuals). This experimental research adopted a pretest-posttest design with follow-up. The experimental group received ten 90-minute IBCT sessions. The research instruments included the Gottman Emotional Divorce Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Cognitive Flexibility Inventory—the repeated measures ANOVA was then used for data analysis in SPSS software version 27. Results: The mean (± SD) of emotion regulation was 80.25 ± 7.92 on the pretest, whereas it was 124.88 ± 11.63 and 120.88 ± 8.70 on the posttest and follow-up. Moreover, the mean (± SD) of cognitive flexibility was 60.50 ± 5.70 on the pretest, while it was 100.46 ± 6.33 and 97.13 ± 4.47 on the posttest and follow-up. The results indicated that IBCT improved emotion regulation and cognitive flexibility in EDCs (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Based on the results, IBCT can enhance emotion regulation and cognitive flexibility in couples experiencing marital conflicts and emotional divorce. Couples therapists should hold IBCT training workshops to improve emotion regulation and cognitive flexibility in EDCs.

Effectiveness of DIR/Floor Time Play Therapy in Social Skills and Emotion Regulation of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families need to use rehabilitation services to improve their functions in social interactions and communication skills. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of DIR/floor time play therapy in the social skills and emotion regulation of children with ASD. Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental with a pretest/posttest design. The statistical population included all the autistic children visiting Golhay-e Behesht Autism Center in Qom, Qom Province, Iran. The convenience sampling method was employed to select 30 participants, who were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group received the DIR/floor time play therapy intervention for 23 twenty-minute sessions. The research instrument included Bellini’s Social Skills Profile Questionnaire and Emotion Regulation Checklist. Descriptive statistics and the repeated measures ANOVA were adopted for data analysis in SPSS 22. Results: According to the results, the DIR/floor time play therapy method improved emotion regulation components (i.e., instability/negativity and emotion regulation) and the indices of social skills (i.e., social interaction, social participation, and detrimental behavior). The results lasted until the follow-up step (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The DIR/floor time play therapy method caused positive changes to emotion regulation and social skills in autistic children. Therefore, it can be an effective intervention in children with ASD.

Equine-assisted therapy effectiveness in improving emotion regulation, self-efficacy, and perceived self-esteem of patients suffering from substance use disorders

Substance Use Disorders (SUD) is a universal overwhelming public health problem and is associated with other psychological and mental health ailments such as emotion regulation, perceived self-esteem, and self-efficacy problems. Complementary and alternative medicine may be beneficial. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy in improving emotion regulation, self-efficacy, and perceived self-esteem among patients suffering from substance use disorders. It was carried out using a randomized controlled trial design at Behman hospital, Cairo, Egypt. It included 100 patients suffering from SUD attending the setting, equally randomized into an intervention group to receive the equine assisted therapy and a control group to receive the regular care. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire with standardized tools for assessment of emotion regulation, General Self-Efficacy (GSE), and perceived self-esteem. The intervention group received weekly equine-assisted therapy sessions over 6 weeks in addition to their standard regular therapy. Patients in both groups had similar demographic and SUD characteristics, as well as baseline scores of reappraisals, suppression, GSE and perceived self-esteem. At post-intervention, the intervention group had significant improvements in all these scores in comparison with the control group, as well as their baseline. The multivariate analysis identified the study intervention as a significant positive predictor of the reappraisal and GSE scores, and a negative predictor of the suppression and perceived self-esteem negative score. In conclusion, equine assisted-therapy as a complementary treatment in patients suffering from SUD is effective in improving their emotion regulation, self-efficacy, and perceived self-esteem. A wider use of this approach is recommended in SUD patients along with provision of needed facilities and resources, and training nurses in its administration. Further research is proposed to assess its long-term effectiveness. The clinical trial was registered in the “Clinical Trials.gov Protocol Registration and Results System (PRS);” registration number is (05632185/2022) and the full date of first registration is 10/11/2022.

The association between emotion regulation and pain during the immediate postpartum period.

The present study aims to investigate the association between emotion regulation difficulties and pain perception during the immediate postpartum period. A cross-sectional study was performed in women during the immediate postpartum period. Women completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) questionnaire to measure difficulties in emotion regulation. A second analysis was conducted for the six subdomains of the DERS questionnaire. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure pain intensity. The association between DERS scores and VAS score was assessed. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to control for potential confounders. A total of 150 women were included in the final analysis, of whom 112 (74.6%) delivered vaginally and 38 (25.4%) had a cesarean delivery. Higher DERS scores, indicating more difficulties in emotion regulation, were significantly associated with higher VAS scores regardless of mode of delivery. Likewise, higher emotion regulation scores in 5 of 6 subdomains were associated with higher VAS scores (p < 0.001). Using multivariate logistic regression models higher DERS scores were independently associated with higher VAS scores. Difficulties in emotion regulation are associated with higher pain perception during the immediate postpartum period. Interventions designed to improve emotion regulation may improve maternal well-being in the immediate postpartum period and possibly reduce use of pain medication.

Playing with Emotions: A Systematic Review Examining Emotions and Emotion Regulation in Esports Performance

The massive growth of esports has vitalized the need to study human performance in competitive video gaming. The pressure of competitive play elicits a range of emotional experiences, which can affect players during and beyond a gaming session. In this work, we review the state of the literature concerning the role emotions play in esports performance as well as highlight coping strategies players use to regulate emotions during competitive play. We review the findings of N=32 peer-reviewed articles pertaining to emotions and esports, finding that the emotional experiences elicited by competitive play affect esports performance. In response, players attempt to regulate their emotions to maintain performance; however, efforts to do so vary, as they currently lack effective coping strategies. Lastly, we review the potential of technical interventions in esports training for improving emotion regulation among players. Our findings support knowledge development in esports, and present avenues towards promoting the emotional wellbeing of competitive gamers.

53 Adolescent Dialectical Behaviour Therapy: Levels of Care

Abstract Introduction/Background A growing body of research supports the efficacy of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) for adolescents with various mental health diagnoses, but a traditional DBT program uses intensive resources (weekly individual and group therapy). To see whether a less intensive program could benefit certain participants, a complementary program called “DBT Lite” was designed and implemented at a large acute care Children’s Hospital. The group format (youth and parents together), therapeutic principals and coping skills taught were the same (based on “DBT Skills Manual for Adolescents”, Miller &amp; Rathus, 2014), but DBT Lite involved only group therapy, and was offered over a shorter time frame (12 weeks vs. 19 weeks). Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of “DBT Full” and “DBT Lite” on improving emotion regulation and family functioning/parental stress and decreasing emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations among adolescents age 13-17 with mental health diagnoses. Participants were not randomized; the treatment was selected according to severity of illness. We hypothesized that both treatment programs would show benefits but that “Full DBT” would result in greater improvements than “DBT Lite” due to its more comprehensive treatment model. Design/Methods Data was collected prospectively pre- and post-treatment from youth and parents participating in both programs over a 3-year period. The primary outcome measures were the DERS (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale), the FACES-IV (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale, 4th Ed), and the PSS (Parental Stress Scale). Results were analyzed using paired-sample t-tests. We also examined ED and hospital admission data 6 months prior to starting the group and 6 months following completion of the group. Results In “Full DBT”, emotion regulation improved in both youth (n=9) and parents (n=12) post-treatment (DERS total score: youth p=0.02; parents p=0.01). Parents reported significant improvements on measures of parental stress (PSS p=0.002), and family functioning (FACES-IV family communication p=0.000, satisfaction p=0.008, and overall family functioning p=0.002). However, these improvements were not significant in youth measures. In “DBT Lite”, youth (n=16) and parents (n=17) did not report significant improvements in emotion regulation or family functioning, but did report decreases in parental stress (PSS p=0.005). Both groups resulted in measurable differences in acute care use: the percentage of patients with ED presentations 6 months pre- vs. 6 months post-group decreased from 70% to 27% for “Lite”, and 81% to 50% for “Full”. The percentage of patients requiring hospital admission decreased from 13% to 10% for “Lite”, and 56% to 28% for “Full”. Conclusion These results suggest that although “DBT Lite” may not have the same family functioning and emotion regulation benefits as its full-service counterpart, it can still reduce parental stress and decrease use of acute care resources. This study confirms the patient and family benefits of a full DBT program, but also has important implications for centres with limited mental health resources, given that “Full DBT” requires 38 clinician hours per patient to deliver, versus 12 hours for “DBT Lite”.

How controllable versus uncontrollable cognitions affect emotion processing during classroom disruptions: A video study with preservice teachers

We studied how preservice teachers explain and regulate their emotions when faced with classroom disruptions. Participants watched a video of a disrupted classroom and were either shown a subsequent video of the disruptive student explaining their behavior or not. Those preservice teachers who attributed the disruptions to controllable factors used functional emotion regulation to a greater extent (such as cognitive change, attentional deployment, and deep acting), while those who saw the disruptions as uncontrollable used venting more often. The study suggests that understanding the student's perspective and attributing disruptions to controllable factors can improve emotion regulation in teachers.

"Online, the counselor can't see me cry": a systematic literature review on emotion and computer-mediated care.

Computer-mediated care is becoming increasingly popular, but little research has been done on it and its effects on emotion-related outcomes. This systematic literature review aims to create an overview that addresses the research question: "Is there a relationship between computer-mediated care and emotional expression, perception, and emotional and (long-term) emotion outcomes?" This systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and used five eligibility criteria, namely, (1) participants: adults seeking support; (2) intervention: eHealth; (3) diagnostic criteria: transdiagnostic concept of difficulty identifying, expressing, and/or regulating emotions (e.g., alexithymia); (4) comparator: either face-to-face care or no comparator; and (5) study design: quantitative studies or qualitative studies. Quality was assessed using the QualSyst tool. The analysis includes 25 research papers. Self-paced interventions appear to have a positive effect on emotion regulation. Videoconferencing interventions improved emotion regulation from before to after treatment but worsened emotion regulation compared with face-to-face treatment. The lack of variation in the modalities studied and the emotion measurements used make it difficult to draw responsible conclusions. Future research should examine how different modalities affect the real-time communication of emotions and how non-verbal cues influence this.

Where is an emotion? Using an emotional spatial cueing task to test for emotional localization following targeted visceroception.

The relationship between emotion and attention is vital for adaptation. Trained attention to bodily sensations can heighten emotional awareness, including during "visceroception" (sensing the viscera, principally the heart, lungs and gut), which has been linked to emotion intensity and regulation. However, it is not always clear when bodily attention is adaptive, and useful to maintain, or maladaptive and best inhibited. The current study, part of a wider exploratory project, investigates "localized emotion" in this context. Localized emotion is a novel construct, articulated within the project, and suggested to be manifested within a visceroceptive system: targeted visceroception could result in disinhibited attention to localized emotion. In particular, whilst evidence points to the importance of the gastrointestinal tract for emotion (e.g., gut biome, enteric nervous system), gut sensations are often barely detectable, consistent with an inhibition process. An emotional spatial cueing task was used to test for localized effects within several groups: one trained for 8 weeks to focus on their lower abdomen (gastroception), with another focused on their chest cavity (cardioception), plus a control group. The spatial cueing task involved rapid responding to the detection of bodily feelings following the presentation of an emotional picture. Participants then indicated on a body map where they had detected the feeling, followed by corresponding valence and arousal levels (i.e., core affect) on a self-assessment manikin. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. There was some support for localization in the gastroception group relative to the chest-focused group and controls. Gastroception-related findings included: greater improvement in interoception (interoceptive sensibility), slowed reaction times, a cluster of lower abdominal detections on a body map, changes in core affect, and indications of improved emotion regulation. Attending to the gut may play a key role in improving one's ability to access emotional feeling, with associated implications for emotion regulation.

Antecedents of perceived stress in trail runners: do emotion regulation and negative self-talk matter?

ABSTRACT In recent years, trail running has gained popularity which has translated to an increase in the research conducted in this field. However, as little is known regarding how psychological factors facilitate or hinder trail running, in the present study we delved into perceived stress, which is a key variable on how individuals experienced the sport. Thus, this study aims to (1) to examine the antecedents of perceived stress by testing a model where trail runners’ emotion regulation and negative self-talk were expected to predict their perceived stress, (2) provide evidence regarding the mediating effect of negative self-talk in the relationship between emotion regulation and perceived stress. A total of 142 trail runners (Mage = 36.11, SD = 7.33; 119 men, 23 women) with different experience completed an online questionnaire. Bootstrap methods were used to test a model where negative self-talk was expected to mediate in the relationship between emotion regulation and perceived stress. Results confirmed the hypothesised model and showed that the negative self-talk used by trail runners mediated in the negative relationship between emotion regulation and perceived stress. These findings are considered within the framework of athletes’ psychological functioning, highlighting that improving emotion regulation may be particularly important to trail runners – individuals that face stressful events during their involvement in the sport. The novel role of negative self-talk shows a potential approach to manage trail runners’ perceived stress. Limitations of the results and implications of these findings for future research are discussed.

The Effectiveness of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) for “X” Junior High School Futsal Extracurricular Members to Improve Emotion Regulation Abilities so as to Reduce Anxiety Levels

The Effectiveness of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) for “X” Junior High School Futsal Extracurricular Members to Improve Emotion Regulation Abilities so as to Reduce Anxiety Levels

“It’s ok that I feel like this”: a qualitative study of adolescents’ and parents’ experiences of facilitators, mechanisms of change and outcomes in a joint emotion regulation group skills training

BackgroundEmotion regulation difficulties underlie several psychiatric conditions, and treatments that focus on improving emotion regulation can have an effect on a broad range of symptoms. However, participants’ in-depth experiences of participating in emotion regulation treatments have not been much studied. In this qualitative study, we investigated participants’ experiences of a joint emotion regulation group skills training in a child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient setting.MethodsTwenty-one participants (10 adolescents and 11 parents) were interviewed about their experiences after they had participated in a seven-session transdiagnostic emotion regulation skills training for adolescents and parents. The aim of the skills training was to decrease emotion regulation difficulties, increase emotional awareness, reduce psychiatric symptoms, and enhance quality of life. The skills training consisted of psychoeducation about emotions and skills for regulating emotions. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsThe analysis resulted in three overarching themes: Parent – Child processes, Individual processes, and Group processes. The result showed that participants considered an improved parent-child relationship to be the main outcome. Increased knowledge, emotion regulation skills and behavioural change were conceptualised as both mechanisms of change and outcomes. The group format, and the fact that parents and adolescents participated together, were seen as facilitators. Furthermore, the participants experienced targeting emotions in skills training as meaningful and helpful.ConclusionThe results highlight the potential benefits of providing emotion regulation skills training for adolescents and parents together in a group format to improve the parent-child relationship and enable the opportunity to learn skills.