Targeting Emotion Dysregulation Research Articles

Sub-groups of emotion dysregulation in youth with nonsuicidal self-injury: latent profile analysis of a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Psychological treatments targeting emotion dysregulation in adolescents reduce nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) but predicting treatment outcome remains difficult. Identifying sub-groups based on repeated measurements of emotion dysregulation pre-treatment may guide personalized treatment recommendations. We used data from a recent trial evaluating internet-delivered emotion regulation therapy for adolescents with NSSI (n = 138). Latent profile analysis was used to identify sub-groups based on pre-treatment responses on the 16-item version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. The primary outcome was self-rated NSSI frequency during treatment, and secondary outcome was the proportion of participants with no NSSI 1-month post-treatment. Three sub-groups of emotion dysregulation were identified: low variability and low mean (Group 1), low variability and high mean (Group 2), and high variability and low mean (Group 3). Sub-groups did not differ in NSSI frequency during treatment (Group 2 IRR = 1.06 [95% CI 0.49–2.29], p = .88; Group 3 IRR = 1.22 [95% CI 0.31–4.76], p = .77). However, more participants in Group 1 compared to Group 2 abstained from NSSI at 1-month post-treatment (OR = 3.63 [95% CI 1.16–11.33], p = 0.01). Latent profile analysis identified sub-groups predictive of NSSI absence post-treatment, demonstrating clinical utility.

Targeting emotion dysregulation in depression: an intervention mapping protocol augmented by participatory action research

BackgroundDepression is a highly prevalent and often recurrent condition; however, treatment is not always accessible or effective in addressing abnormalities in emotional processing. Given the high prevalence of depression worldwide, identifying and mapping out effective and sustainable interventions is crucial. Emotion dysregulation in depression is not readily amenable to improvement due to the complex, time-dynamic nature of emotion; however, systematic planning frameworks for programs addressing behavioral changes can provide guidelines for the development of a rational intervention that tackles these difficulties. This study proposes an empirical and theoretical art-based emotion regulation (ER) intervention using an integrated approach that combines intervention mapping (IM) with participatory action research (PAR).MethodsWe used the IM protocol to identify strategies and develop an intervention for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). As applied in this study, IM comprises six steps: (a) determining the need for new treatments and determinants of risk; (b) identifying changeable determinants and assigning specific intervention targets; (c) selecting strategies to improve ER across relevant theories and research disciplines; (d) creating a treatment program and refining it based on consultations with an advisory group; (e) developing the implementation plan and conducting a PAR study to pilot-test it; and (f) planning evaluation strategies and conducting a PAR study for feedback on the initial testing.ResultsFollowing the steps of IM, we developed two frameworks for an art-based ER intervention: an individual and an integrative framework. The programs include four theory- and evidence-based ER strategies aimed mainly at decreasing depressive symptoms and improving ER in patients with MDD. We also developed a plan for evaluating the proposed intervention. Based on our preliminary PAR studies, the intervention was feasible and acceptable for adoption and implementation in primary care settings.ConclusionThe application of IM incorporated with PAR has resulted in an intervention for improving ER in depression. While changing behavior is perceived as a challenging and elaborate task, this method can be useful in offering a clear structure for developing rational interventions. Further refinement is necessary through rigorous research.

Treatment-relevant factors among adults receiving court-mandated substance use treatment: The role of emotion dysregulation.

Despite often being mandated to substance use treatment after release, many people on probation do not complete treatment. Several historical factors have been identified as relevant to substance use treatment in this population (i.e., past substance use, treatment history, and criminal history); however, less is known about the psychological characteristics, such as emotion dysregulation, that influence treatment-relevant factors among people in the criminal justice system. The present study used cross-sectional data to examine whether emotion dysregulation was associated with past-year substance use severity, engagement in prior drug and alcohol use treatments (yes/no, number of prior treatments), and previous criminal charges (total number of charges, number of charge types) in a sample of adults on probation who were receiving court-mandated substance use treatment (N = 163). We also examined whether these relationships varied across sex. Results showed that overall emotion dysregulation was more strongly linked to substance use severity and criminal charges for females than males. Emotion dysregulation dimensions of difficulties engaging in goal-directed behaviors and controlling impulsive behaviors when distressed were associated with more severe past-year substance use, more prior drug treatments, and a greater number of lifetime criminal charges and charge types. Emotion dysregulation plays a role in substance use treatment-relevant factors among people on probation. Sex-specific clinical implications of targeting emotion dysregulation in the context of mandated treatment in order to prevent treatment failures are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A Blended Intervention Targeting Emotion Dysregulation in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Development and Feasibility Study.

Many adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience difficulties related to emotion regulation. Such difficulties are known to substantially impact quality of life and overall functioning. Yet, there is a lack of treatment interventions specifically designed to address these challenges. This study aimed to describe the development and assess the feasibility, along with the initial clinical outcomes, of a novel blended intervention for adults with ADHD. The blended intervention combines both face-to-face and digital components and is specifically designed to address emotion dysregulation in ADHD. This intervention was an 8-week blended intervention combining weekly face-to-face group sessions with a supplementary digital companion app. The intervention is based on elements from dialectic behavioral therapy skills training and positive psychology. To evaluate its feasibility, we performed a 10-week feasibility study with an uncontrolled pre-post study design, including 16 adults with ADHD and co-occurring emotion dysregulation. The feasibility measures encompassed adherence, satisfaction, and perceived credibility of the intervention. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by self-reported symptoms of emotion dysregulation, inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, executive function, depression, anxiety, and a measure of quality of life. Paired sample 2-tailed t tests were used to analyze clinical outcomes with a Bonferroni-corrected significance level. Both treatment credibility and treatment satisfaction were rated favorably by the majority of the participants. In particular, the participants emphasized meeting others with ADHD as beneficial. In terms of adherence, 3 participants withdrew before initiating the intervention, while another 4 participants did not complete the intervention. On average, the participants who enrolled in the intervention attended 6.2 of the 8 group sessions and completed 6.7 of the 8 skills training modules in the companion app. In terms of clinical outcomes, there was a reduction in symptoms of emotion dysregulation from before to after the intervention (d=2.0). Significant improvements were also observed in measures of inattention (d=1.1) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (d=0.9). However, no significant improvements were found in the domains of depression, anxiety, quality of life, and executive functioning. The results are encouraging, both in terms of feasibility and the preliminary clinical results on emotion dysregulation. The blended format, combining digital and face-to-face elements, may also seem to offer some advantages: the group-based format was valued as it facilitated peer interaction, while a rather high completion of modules in the companion app highlights its potential to enhance skills training between the group sessions. Future randomized controlled trials are called for to further evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the intervention. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05644028; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05644028.

Targeting emotion dysregulation in adults with ADHD: A pilot study of a blended digital and face-to-face intervention

Targeting emotion dysregulation in adults with ADHD: A pilot study of a blended digital and face-to-face intervention

Cumulative adversity and emotion dysregulation effects on suicidal ideation and attempts in a community sample

Adversity, trauma, and emotion dysregulation are commonly cited risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Thus, the role of these factors in conferring risk for suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) amongst community adults was assessed. A cross-sectional cohort-based study with community adults (n=757; female=55.0%) assessed emotion dysregulation, cumulative adversity including highly stressful and traumatic events, as well as other known risk factors for suicidality (e.g., self-reported depression and anxiety history) to predict a lifetime history of SI or SA, SI but no SA, or SI and SA. Higher cumulative stress and trauma scores conferred risk for SI, specifically on the subscales major life events, recent life events, and chronic stressors. Higher emotion dysregulation was associated with an increased risk for a SA relative to no SI or SA, particularly nonacceptance of emotional responses. Lifetime trauma was the only predictor of SA relative to SI. Nonacceptance of emotions significantly mediated the association between life traumas and suicidality. Cumulative adversity and emotion dysregulation confer risk for suicidal ideation and attempts, and higher lifetime trauma predicted attempts over ideation. These findings suggest that targeting emotion dysregulation, and specifically nonacceptance of difficult emotions, may be a useful strategy in reducing suicidal behaviors in individuals with trauma history and concurrent suicidal ideation.

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.

Systematic review: emotion dysregulation and challenging behavior interventions for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum with graded key evidence-based strategy recommendations.

Challenging behavior, such as aggression, is highly prevalent in children and adolescents on the autism spectrum and can have a devastating impact. Previous reviews of challenging behavior interventions did not include interventions targeting emotion dysregulation, a common cause of challenging behavior. We reviewed emotion dysregulation and challenging behavior interventions for preschoolers to adolescents to determine which evidence-based strategies have the most empirical support for reducing/preventing emotion dysregulation/challenging behavior. We reviewed 95 studies, including 29 group and 66 single case designs. We excluded non-behavioral/psychosocial interventions and those targeting internalizing symptoms only. We applied a coding system to identify discrete strategies based on autism practice guidelines with the addition of strategies common in childhood mental health disorders, and an evidence grading system. Strategies with the highest quality evidence (multiple randomized controlled trials with low bias risk) were Parent-Implemented Intervention, Emotion Regulation Training, Reinforcement, Visual Supports, Cognitive Behavioral/Instructional Strategies and Antecedent-Based Interventions. Regarding outcomes, most studies included challenging behavior measures, while few included emotion dysregulation measures. This review highlights the importance of teaching emotion regulation skills explicitly, positively reinforcing replacement/alternative behaviors, using visuals and metacognition, addressing stressors proactively, and involving parents. It also calls for more rigorously designed studies and for including emotion dysregulation as an outcome/mediator in future trials.

A pilot study examining the effectiveness of a short-term, DBT informed, skills group for emotion dysregulation during the perinatal period.

The perinatal period (pregnancy and the first-year postpartum) is a time of increased vulnerability to mental health difficulties including emotion dysregulation. Research conducted on treatments targeting emotion dysregulation during this time is limited. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills groups are considered the gold standard for targeting emotion dysregulation. We developed and evaluated the effectiveness of a seven-session DBT informed skills group (perinatal emotion regulation skills [Peri-ERS]) tailored to meet the unique emotion dysregulation experienced by women within the perinatal period. N = 41 perinatal women participated in the Peri-ERS group within the Women's Health Concern's Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. Participants completed a semistructured assessment to determine eligibility. They completed self-report symptom measures at baseline, Sessions 1-6, and posttreatment assessments. Paired-samples t tests, Cohen's d, and Friedman's rank tests were run to examine change over time. Reliable and clinical change index (RCI) analysis was conducted on emotion dysregulation. Participants demonstrated significant improvements in all symptom domain measures. Forty-eight percent of participants exhibited reliable clinical change on emotion dysregulation. These findings suggest the Peri-ERS group is effective in reducing emotion dysregulation symptoms for perinatal women. These results are promising as this novel treatment addresses a gap in the literature and may potentially be implemented in women's health clinics as a way of improving overall perinatal care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The Role of Emotion Dysregulation in the Association Between Substance Use Stigma and Depressive Symptoms Among Trauma-Exposed, Substance-Using Individuals.

Despite the well-documented association between experiences of substance use stigma and adverse mental health outcomes, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this association. Utilizing a community sample of substance-using adults who have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, the current study examined the role of dysregulation stemming from both negative and positive emotions in the relation between substance use stigma and depressive symptoms. Community participants (N = 320, 46.9% women) completed self-report measures of substance-use-related stigma experiences, negative and positive emotion dysregulation, and depressive symptoms. Results showed that, adjusting for gender and substance use severity, substance use stigma was positively associated with emotion dysregulation, which in turn related to depressive symptoms. Substance use stigma was also found to be indirectly associated with depressive symptoms through emotion dysregulation, suggesting that emotion dysregulation accounted for the significant association between substance use stigma and depressive symptoms. These findings provide initial support for the role of emotion dysregulation as a mechanism through which stigma operates to undermine the mental health of substance-using, trauma-exposed individuals. Results underscore the potential utility of targeting emotion dysregulation in intervention efforts that are designed to facilitate stigma coping among individuals who use alcohol and/or drugs.

Emotion dysregulation as a mechanism linking posttraumatic stress disorder to subsequent suicidal thoughts and behaviors following inpatient psychiatric discharge

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a well-known risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). However, there is a scarcity of longitudinal studies exploring underlying pathways. This study sought to examine the mechanistic role of emotion dysregulation in the relations between PTSD and STBs following discharge from psychiatric inpatient treatment, a particularly high-risk period for suicide. Participants were 362 trauma-exposed psychiatric inpatients (45% female, 77% white, Mage = 40.37). PTSD was assessed via a clinical interview (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale) during hospitalization, emotion dysregulation was assessed via self-report 3-weeks post-discharge, and STBs were assessed via a clinical interview 6-months post-discharge. St'1ructural equation modeling showed that emotion dysregulation significantly mediated the relation between PTSD and suicidal thoughts (β = 0.10, SE = 0.04, p = .01, 95%CI [0.04, 0.39]) but not suicide attempts (β = 0.04, SE = 0.04, p = .29, 95%CI [-0.03, 0.12]) post-discharge. Findings highlight a potential clinical utility of targeting emotion dysregulation among individuals with PTSD to prevent suicidal thoughts following discharge from psychiatric inpatient treatment.

The Role of Emotion Dysregulation in the Relationship Between Sleep Disturbances and PTSD Symptom Severity.

Emotion dysregulation is implicated in the development, maintenance, and treatment of sleep disturbances and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) separately. However, few studies have assessed interactions among these variables. To address this gap, this study examined whether the associations of sleep quality and sleep quantity with PTSD severity were stronger at higher levels of negative and positive emotion dysregulation in a community sample of 199 trauma-exposed individuals. This study found that both poorer sleep quality and lower sleep quantity were associated with greater PTSD severity at low to average (but not high) levels of negative emotion dysregulation. Positive emotion dysregulation did not moderate the relationships between sleep quality or quantity and PTSD severity. Exploratory additive multiple moderation analyses showed significant associations between poorer sleep quality and lower sleep quantity with greater PTSD severity at low to average levels of negative emotion dysregulation, coupled with any level of positive emotion dysregulation. Findings inform theoretical perspectives on the sleep-PTSD relationship and clinical applications of targeting emotion dysregulation in the treatment of sleep disturbances and PTSD symptoms for trauma-exposed individuals.

3.28 Diverse Experiences During Regulating Together Emotion Dysregulation Treatment

Healthcare disparities exist for minority youth with ASD, particularly in regard to access to intervention. Treatment research in ASD has been limited regarding the contextual disparities of treating minority and lower socioeconomic status (SES) youth. The current study aimed to understand diverse caregiver perspectives about their experiences participating in a treatment program targeting emotion dysregulation, Regulating Together (RT), for youth with ASD aged 8-18 years and their caregivers. We sought to examine the acceptability and cultural sensitivity in the delivery of RT by engaging diverse communities.

Examining indirect effects of emotion dysregulation between PTSD symptom clusters and reckless/self-destructive behaviors.

Emotion dysregulation theoretically and empirically explains the link between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttrauma reckless and self-destructive behaviors (RSDBs). The current study uniquely examined the role of emotion dysregulation in the association between the four heterogeneous PTSD clusters (intrusions, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood [NACM], and alterations in arousal and reactivity [AAR]) and an overall measure of posttrauma RSDBs. Trauma-exposed participants (n = 411) completed self-report measures assessing PTSD symptoms (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5), emotion dysregulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-16), and engagement in RSDBs (Posttrauma Risky Behaviors Questionnaire). Direct and indirect effects were examined using PROCESS Model 4. The bias-corrected bootstrap revealed a significant indirect effect of emotion dysregulation in posttrauma RSDBs' relation with PTSD's intrusions (B = -.13, SE = .04, 95% CI [-.23, -.06]), avoidance (B =.15, SE =.07, 95% CI [.04, .33]), NACM (B =.17, SE =.05, 95% CI [.09, .27]), and AAR (B =.14, SE =.05, 95% CI [.05, .27]). Emotion dysregulation explained associations between the severity of each PTSD symptom cluster and overall posttrauma RSDBs. PTSD treatments targeting emotion dysregulation may help to reduce posttrauma RSDBs for trauma-exposed individuals. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Does emotion dysregulation mediate the association between ADHD symptoms and internalizing problems? A longitudinal within-person analysis in a large population-representative study.

Previous research has suggested that children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms commonly show emotion dysregulation difficulties. These difficulties may partly explain the strong tendency for internalizing problems such as anxiety and depression to co-occur with ADHD symptoms. However, no study has yet provided a longitudinal analysis of the within-person links between ADHD symptoms, emotion dysregulation, and internalizing problems necessary to examine this hypothesis from a developmental perspective. We used data from the age 3, 5, and 7 waves of the large UK population-representative Millennium Cohort Study (n = 9,619, 4,885 males) and fit gender-stratified autoregressive latent trajectory models with structured residuals (ALT-SR) to disaggregate within- and between-person relations between ADHD symptom, emotion dysregulation, and internalizing problem symptoms. We found that emotion dysregulation significantly mediated the longitudinal within-person association between ADHD symptoms and internalizing problems. Results underline the promise of targeting emotion dysregulation as a means of preventing internalizing problems co-occurring with ADHD symptoms.

Neurophysiological Deficits During Reappraisal of Negative Emotional Stimuli in Opioid Misuse

BackgroundOpioid misuse is hypothesized to compromise the ability to regulate negative emotions, as manifested through visceral and peripheral physiological signals. However, neurophysiological impairment of top-down cognitive emotion regulation in opioid misuse has not previously been shown. MethodsPatients with chronic pain who had been taking opioids for 90 days or longer (N = 149; female, n = 98) underwent a negative emotion regulation task with electroencephalography. Participants were instructed to view or reappraise negative images presented for 3 seconds. Using a validated cutoff score on the Current Opioid Misuse Measure, participants were classified as exhibiting aberrant drug-related behavior consistent with opioid misuse (MISUSE+) or as being low risk for opioid misuse (MISUSE−). Participants reported their craving in response to negative emotions over the past week. ResultsWe observed a group × condition interaction (p = .003) such that the MISUSE− group decreased the late positive potential of the electroencephalography during reappraisal, whereas the MISUSE+ group showed increased late positive potential during reappraisal. This deficit in negative emotion regulation remained significant after controlling for an array of potential confounding variables, including opioid dose, pain, and depression. Heightened late positive potential during reappraisal was associated with more severe opioid craving. ConclusionsOpioid misuse may occasion top-down deficits in emotional regulation that begin as early as 400 ms after presentation of negative stimuli. It remains unknown whether emotion dysregulation is the cause, correlate, or consequence of opioid misuse. Nonetheless, targeting emotion dysregulation in opioid misuse with reappraisal-focused interventions may represent an important treatment approach.

Stakeholder informed development of the Emotion Awareness and Skills Enhancement team-based program (EASE-Teams).

Emotion dysregulation (ED) impacts mental health symptoms and well-being in autistic individuals. In prior work, we developed the Emotion Awareness and Skills Enhancement (EASE) to improve emotion dysregulation with autistic adolescents (aged 12-17). The study team partnered with autistic individuals, their caregivers, and expert clinicians to adapt EASE for autistic adolescents and adults with co-occurring intellectual disability and autistic elementary-aged children, groups that often benefit from caregiver support in treatment. In three phases, we (1) gathered caregiver and expert feedback to adapt the original EASE program for autistic adults with intellectual disability, (2) revised the treatment after using it with six autistic adults with intellectual disability, and (3) tested the newly developed caregiver-client team-based treatment, called EASE-Teams, in a small group of 10 autistic individuals with and without intellectual disability (aged 7-25). Families found EASE-Teams to be acceptable and helpful. We found improvements in emotion dysregulation and mental health symptoms for autistic participants. Caregivers reported less stress from their child's dysregulation after participating. These results show that EASE-Teams can be appropriate for different developmental and cognitive needs. Future studies will need to test the benefits of the treatment in community clinics.

7.9 OUTBURSTS IN THE AFTERTIME: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Outbursts and chronic irritability are indicators of emotional dysregulation across multiple mental health diagnoses, and they have the potential to disrupt or delay achievement of typical developmental milestones and result in lifelong functional impairment. Evidence-based preventive interventions are limited, and more research is needed to determine whether irritability and outbursts are disorder-specific or share common neurobiological underpinnings. We will summarize the primary, secondary, and tertiary relapse prevention strategies, with an emphasis on strategies that build resilience in youth that mitigate the onset, recurrence, and progression of outbursts in children and adolescents. Preemptive interventions promote resilience through encouraging the regulation of emotion and teaching prosocial behaviors. Parent (targeting parental psychopathology and teaching parenting skills), child (eg, targeting emotion dysregulation, self-esteem, and self-compassion), and community-based approaches (eg, after-school programs for at-risk youth to promote socioemotional learning, gun control, and violence prevention programs) have empirical support. Secondary prevention studies that target family functioning have the potential to change the course of high-risk syndromes and can help clarify treatment targets and mechanisms. Tertiary prevention in youth with mental health disorders aims to reduce symptom severity and enhance psychosocial functioning. A research agenda focused on systematically measuring outbursts and their premorbid risk factors in order to develop more targeted primary, secondary, and tertiary preventions will be essential to promoting resilience and reducing risks of later psychopathology and functional impairment.

Targeting working memory to modify emotional reactivity in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Understanding the neural mechanisms of emotional reactivity in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may help develop more effective treatments that target emotion dysregulation. In adult ADHD, emotion regulation problems cover a range of dimensions, including emotional reactivity (ER). One important process that could underlie an impaired ER in ADHD might be impaired working memory (WM) processing. We recently demonstrated that taxing WM prior to the exposure of emotionally salient stimuli reduced physiological and subjective reactivity to such cues in heavy drinkers, suggesting lasting effects of WM activation on ER. Here, we investigated neural mechanisms that could underlie the interaction between WM and ER in adult ADHD participants. We included 30 male ADHD participants and 30 matched controls. Participants performed a novel functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm in which active WM-blocks were alternated with passive blocks of negative and neutral images. We demonstrated group-independent significant main effects of negative emotional images on amygdala activation, and WM-load on paracingulate gyrus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation. Contrary to earlier reports in adolescent ADHD, no impairments were found in neural correlates of WM or ER. Moreover, taxing WM did not alter the neural correlates of ER in either ADHD or control participants. While we did find effects on the amygdala, paCG, and dlPFC activation, we did not find interactions between WM and ER, possibly due to the relatively unimpaired ADHD population and a well-matched control group. Whether targeting WM might be effective in participants with ADHD with severe ER impairments remains to be investigated.

Trait emotional intelligence and eating problems in adults: associations with alexithymia and substance use

Background: Eating Disorders (EDs) often co-occur with substance use contributing to increasing concern about the individual’s health; both the conditions share several core features such as the tendency to use maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. The present study investigated associations between trait emotional intelligence (Trait EI), alexithymia and EDs, namely dieting, bulimia and oral control, in a nonclinical sample of adults. Moreover, the relationships with substance use frequencies were also examined with the aim of exploring the links between personality emotional competence traits (trait EI and alexithymia) and different addictive risk behaviours (EDs and substance use) in adulthood. Methods: Data were collected from a convenience sample composed of 394 (312 women; between ages 18 and 65; mean age = 32.34; SD = 11.97) participants, through online administration of questionnaires assessing trait emotional intelligence (TEIQue-SF), eating problems (EAT-26), alexithymia (TAS-20) and frequency of substance use (in the last year). Results: The group that exceeds the cut-off for EDs (n = 58; 14.7 %) has significantly lower trait EI scores (in all dimensions) and higher alexithymia scores than the other group. Some differences between the two groups were found on frequencies of nicotine and diuretics use. Age and all trait EI factors were negatively associated with eating disorders and alexithymia. Weak inverse correlations have emerged between EI and frequencies of substance use (namely cocaine, amphetamines, alcohol and tobacco). Female gender, well-being and self-control factors of EI emerged as significant predictors of EDs in adulthood. Conclusions: Our results suggest the importance of targeting emotion dysregulation for EDs and substance use behaviours. Interventions aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles could benefit from trait EI enhancement efforts. Practitioners and health educators need to recognize the potential efficacy of including trait EI within gender specific interventions planned to address ED symptoms and addictive behaviours in general.