Search

Despite high rates of co-occurring tobacco use and anxiety among persons living with HIV, evidence-based interventions for these individuals are limited. An existing cognitive-behavioral treatment protocol for smoking cessation and anxiety (Norton, P. J., & Barrera, T. L. (2012). Transdiagnostic versus diagnosis-specific CBT for anxiety disorders: A preliminary randomized controlled noninferiority trial. Depression and Anxiety, 29(10), 874-882. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.21974) was modified to address transdiagnostic constructs, such as anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance, and depressive symptomatology (Labbe, A. K., Wilner, J. G., Kosiba, J. D., Gonzalez, A., Smits, J. A., Zvolensky, M. J., … O'Cleirigh, C. (2017). Demonstration of an Integrated Treatment for Smoking Cessation and Anxiety Symptoms in People with HIV: A Clinical Case Study. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 24(2), 200-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2016.03.009). This study examines the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention as determined from qualitative data from structured exit interviews from 10 participants who completed treatment. Results demonstrated that participants were very motivated to quit smoking and enrolled in the program for health-related reasons and to be able to quit. Participants found nearly all the treatment components to be useful for reaching their smoking cessation goal and in managing emotional dysregulation. Last, all participants stated that they would strongly recommend the treatment program. This qualitative study provides initial evidence for the feasibility and acceptability of a modified smoking cessation treatment protocol for HIV+ individuals with anxiety and emotional dysregulation. Future research will focus on evaluating the efficacy of the protocol in a full-scale randomized controlled trial, as well as working to collect qualitative data from participants who discontinue treatment to better understand reasons for treatment attrition.

Seclusion and restraint are commonly used by residential staff to control unsafe behaviors of youths with disabilities and complex trauma histories. This pilot study examined the effect of a nonrestraining cushion as a calming device and wellness tool in a setting that prohibits supportive physical contact, to see to what extent the cushion might help these youths to better regulate their emotional distress and unwanted behaviors. Volunteers used the cushion for 15 minutes over 24 sessions. Nine students completed the study and reported reduction in anxiety and agitation, and a soothing feeling with residual effects to their daily routines. This pilot study suggests that the use of a nonrestraining, deep-pressure cushion may simulate a secure holding effect for young people with emotional dysregulation. The cushion is a safe and healing wellness tool that empowers youths and provides programs with an alternative to seclusion and restraint., (© 2017 National Association of Social Workers.)

Sexual orientation-related discrimination experiences have been implicated in elevated rates of anxiety symptoms within sexual minority groups. Theory suggests that chronic discrimination experiences may dampen the ability to tolerate distress, increasing vulnerability for anxiety. This study examined the role of distress tolerance, or the capacity to withstand negative emotions, as a construct underlying associations between discriminatory experiences and anxiety among sexual minority adults. Participants (N=119;M age =36.4±14.8; 50% cisgender male, 31% cisgender female, 19% transgender; 37% non-Latino white) were recruited from Houston, Texas. Measures administered included the Heterosexist Harassment, Rejection, and Discrimination Scale (discrimination experiences), Distress Tolerance Scale (distress tolerance), and the State-Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety (anxiety). The association of discrimination experiences and anxiety through distress tolerance was assessed using covariate-adjusted mediation modeling. Results indicated that sexual orientation-related discrimination experiences were significantly and positively associated with anxiety and that this association was mediated through lower distress tolerance. Significant indirect effects were specific to cognitive (versus somatic) anxiety symptoms. Results suggest that distress tolerance may be an explanatory mechanism in the association between discriminatory experiences and cognitive symptoms of anxiety and a potentially relevant target within clinical interventions to address anxiety-related health disparities among sexual minority adults. However, more sophisticated designs are needed to delineate causal associations., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Converging evidence identifies trait optimism and the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) as personality and brain factors influencing anxiety, but the nature of their relationships remains unclear. Here, the mechanisms underlying the protective role of trait optimism and of increased OFC volume against symptoms of anxiety were investigated in 61 healthy subjects, who completed measures of trait optimism and anxiety, and underwent structural scanning using magnetic resonance imaging. First, the OFC gray matter volume (GMV) was associated with increased optimism, which in turn was associated with reduced anxiety. Second, trait optimism mediated the relation between the left OFC volume and anxiety, thus demonstrating that increased GMV in this brain region protects against symptoms of anxiety through increased optimism. These results provide novel evidence about the brain-personality mechanisms protecting against anxiety symptoms in healthy functioning, and identify potential targets for preventive and therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing susceptibility and increasing resilience against emotional disturbances., (© The Author (2015). Published by Oxford University Press. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Mood symptoms and disordered eating behaviors are common in adolescents with overweight and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between mood symptoms, difficulties in emotion regulation, and emotional eating behaviors in adolescents with overweight and obesity. In this cross-sectional study, adolescents with normal weight (N = 45), overweight (N = 45), or obesity (N = 55) were assessed using semi-structured clinical interviews and self-report scales. Path analysis was used to examine factors contributing to emotional eating behaviors, considering psychiatric comorbidities, mood symptoms, emotional/binge/restrictive eating behaviors, difficulties in emotion regulation, and self-esteem. Adolescents with overweight and obesity exhibited more depressive, anxiety, and anger symptoms; restrictive, emotional, and external eating behaviors; and psychopathologies such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared with normal-weight adolescents. ADHD diagnosis, difficulties in emotion regulation, hypomanic/manic symptoms, and anger symptoms directly predicted emotional eating behavior, while self-esteem was an indirect predictor. Adolescents with overweight and obesity tend to exhibit similar psychological characteristics, including increased mood symptoms and maladaptive eating behaviors associated with higher rates of anxiety and mood disorders, compared with their normal-weight peers. The most significant predictors of emotional eating behaviors were ADHD and difficulties in emotion regulation. Given the frequency of psychological comorbidities in obesity, their detection and management should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to develop interventions that can prevent obesity and food addiction in the early period by investigating the relationship between food addiction and impulsivity, anxiety, depression, difficulties in emotion regulation, sociodemographic characteristics, exercise and diet behaviors. We included 88 consecutive patients with BMI ≥30 and above, aged between 18-65 years, who applied to the Obesity outpatient clinic and psychiatry outpatient clinic of "---" in 2022 in our study sample. Sociodemographic and Clinical Information Form, Yale Food Addiction Scale(YFAS), Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Brief Form (DERS-16), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and Beck's Depression Inventory(BDI) were applied to the patients. It was determined that 45 of 88 patients included in our study had food addiction according to the YFAS score, and 43 did not have a food addiction. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of age and education level. Mean scale scores for BAI, DERS-16, and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale were found to be significantly higher in the food addiction group than in the other group. The subscales of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale were evaluated separately, it was observed that the sub-scale scores of "motor impulsivity" and "attention impulsivity" were significantly higher in the food addiction group compared to the other group. Food addiction is seen at a higher rate in people with a lower average age and higher education level. Anxiety, impulsivity, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation correlate with food addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use is highly prevalent in those with trauma histories, especially in women, which may be in part explained by high rates of interpersonal trauma in this population. Research examining the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between co-occurring interpersonal trauma histories and substance use disorders (SUDs) is in its infancy. The current study examined whether the relationship between interpersonal trauma and SUD severity could be understood via the sequential ordering of two transdiagnostic emotional vulnerability factors: 1) emotional intolerance (anxiety sensitivity, distress intolerance), and 2) emotional dysregulation (negative urgency, lack of clarity, nonacceptance, limited strategies, difficulties with goal-directed behavior). A sample of 130 adult community-based women self-identifying as experiencing substance use problems completed the online survey. Mediation analyses suggest that as women's lifetime interpersonal trauma increases, so does their SUD severity by way of emotional intolerance and subsequent difficulties regulating their emotions. The findings suggests that transdiagnostic interventions targeting tolerance of aversive emotions may facilitate the ability to learn and employ healthy emotion regulation strategies among women with interpersonal trauma histories and SUDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive functions represent foundational factors for mental health and quality of life (QoL). In Tourette syndrome (TS), psychiatric comorbidities are common and have been inconsistently reported to affect the cognition and QoL of patients, while the role of tic disorder duration has not been yet explored. Methods: To examine how comorbidities and TS duration may influence cognition and QoL, N = 80 children with TS (6–16 years) were evaluated using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV). Standardized questionnaires were used to assess the presence and severity of TS main comorbidities and QoL. Data were interpreted using linear correlations, regression, and mediation analysis. Results: Depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms accounted for poorer cognitive performance. Anxiety oppositely predicted better cognitive performance, while no significant role for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) was observed. Disease duration was associated with lower total IQ, verbal reasoning, and working memory abilities. Depression, anxiety, and TS duration also deeply influenced QoL measures. Conclusions: TS common comorbidities have a differential impact on the cognitive abilities of children and adolescents, which translates into a complex influence on their perceived QoL. A longer clinical history of tics was related to worse cognitive outcomes, which prompts further consideration of disease duration in both clinical and research settings involving children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aim of the study was to explore the relationship between emotional dimensions of hypertensive patients and the self‐care skills; we tried to draw the psychological aspects could impact the health management in hypertension analyzing the effect of emotional regulation on self‐care skills: our scope was to highlight the psychological dynamics into behavioral medicine approach. Methods: In an observational study design, patients were collected. Patients with diagnosis of hypertension were recruited in primary care setting. Inclusion criteria included patients older than 18 years, with known and medically treated primary hypertension undergoing antihypertensive medication. Results: Statistical analysis was carried out based on the data of 28 primary hypertensive patients (seven females, 21 males, mean age ± SD: 49.8 ± 7.8 years mean; clinic blood pressure: mean systolic blood pressure: 137.2 ± 13.1 mmHg, mean diastolic blood pressure: 82.1 ± 9.9 mmHg). Mean duration of hypertension in the sample was 13.1 years (±8.2 years). Correlations among the main variables of interest showed a positive and significant relationship between emotional dysregulation indexes, psychological distress, and self‐care domains: awareness resulted negatively and significantly correlated to self‐efficacy; nonacceptance, goals and impulse indexes seemed positively and significantly correlated to anxiety and depression; finally, stress was correlated positively and significantly to awareness and impulse. Conclusions: Evidencing the role of emotion dysregulation on self‐care skills and psychological outcomes, and specifically highlighting the impact of emotion dysregulation on self‐care, our findings could inform the development and implementation of psychological interventions aimed at promoting psychological well‐being and healthy behavior by focusing on the promotion of emotion regulation strategies, to reduce the risk for co‐morbidity and/or severe cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to trace an association between the lock-down caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in Itlay (March-May 2020) and possible short- and long-term behavioral and mood changes in 1,000 children aged three to six years. With the data collected through the administration of two questionnaires, an account of the psychoattitudinal performance of the subjects examined during the aforementioned period was obtained. The results showed that during the lock-down nearly 60% of the sample exhibited negative feelings; 11.2% of the sample also exhibited symptoms attributable to situational depression. With the return to normalcy, the percentage of negative feelings recorded in the sample decreased to 11%; a significant association was also found between the mood state and temperament of the subjects. Behavioral changes such as increased onychophagy and eating changes during lock-down were recorded, which can be associated with stress. It was possible to reveal problems in the long term, such as difficulty in modulating anxiety, controlling aggression, and social adjustment.

Background: Childhood maltreatment can result in lifelong psychological and physical sequelae, including coronary artery disease (CAD). Mechanisms leading to increased risk of illness may involve emotional dysregulation and shortened leukocyte telomere length (LTL). Methods: To evaluate whether (1) childhood maltreatment is associated with shorter LTL among older adults with CAD or other chronic illnesses; (2) sex and/or CAD status influence these results; and (3) symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress moderate or mediate the association between childhood maltreatment and LTL, men and women (N = 1247; aged 65 ± 7.2 years) with and without CAD completed validated questionnaires on childhood maltreatment, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. LTL was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Analyses included bivariate correlations, hierarchical regressions, and moderation/mediation analyses, controlling for sociodemographic and lifestyle variables. Results: Childhood maltreatment was associated with significantly shorter LTL (r = −0.059, p = 0.038, b = −0.016, p = 0.005). This relation was not moderated by depression, anxiety, nor perceived stress, though there was mitigated evidence for absence of a maltreatment-LTL relation in men with CAD. Stress perception (but not anxiety or depression) partially mediated the relation between childhood maltreatment and LTL [Indirect effect, b = −0.0041, s.e. = 0.002, 95% CI (−0.0085 to −0.0002)]. Conclusions: Childhood maltreatment was associated with accelerated biological aging independently of patient characteristics. Emotional dysregulation resulting in chronic stress may contribute to this process. Whether stress management or other interventions may help prevent or slow premature aging in those who have suffered maltreatment requires study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research shows significant rates of depressive symptoms in people with autistic spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. Finding factors related to the development of depression in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability is necessary. Emotion regulation is associated with depression in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. The role of the intellectual disability in this relationship is not clear, so it is necessary to clarify it. One hundred twenty-one adults (M = 35.46 years, SD = 9.46) with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities were evaluated to verify moderating role of intellectual disability and mediating role of emotion regulation. A moderated mediation analysis supported the moderated role of mild intellectual disability in the relationship mediated by emotional dysregulation between autism spectrum disorder and depression symptoms. These findings suggest that interventions designed to prevent or reduce depressive symptoms in people with autism spectrum disorder and mild intellectual disability should include among their goals emotional regulation. Many people with autism and intellectual disability have significant levels of depressive symptoms. However, this relationship is not clear. For this reason, knowing the factors that are associated with having depression in autism and intellectual disability is important. Emotion regulation is associated with depression in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. After evaluating a group of people with autism and intellectual disability, we found that people with mild intellectual disability have problems regulating their emotions which lead them to develop depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that interventions designed to prevent or reduce depressive symptoms in people with autism spectrum disorder and mild intellectual disability should include among their goals emotional regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of emotion regulation and time perspective therapies on anxiety and emotional dysregulation in adolescents during the COVID-19 outbreak. The research method was quasi-experimental design (pre-test, post-test and follow-up with control group). The statistical population of this study consisted of all male seventh to twelfth grade students in the Gilan-E-Gharb city(N=1050). The statistical sample included 51 adolescents with anxiety symptoms who were replaced in three groups of emotion regulation therapy, time perspective therapy, and control group. Each two experiments groups were under treatment, 8 sessions of 90 minutes per week. The Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Emotional Dysregulation scale were used to collect data. Analysis of variance with repeated measure and Tukey and Bonferroni post hoc tests were used to analyze the data. The results showed that emotion regulation and time perspective therapies were effective in reducing the symptoms of anxiety and emotional dysregulation. In addition, emotion regulation therapy was more effective in anxiety and emotional dysregulation than time perspective therapy. Based on the results, emotion regulation and time perspective therapies (especially emotion regulation), it is recommended to reduce psychological problems such as anxiety and emotional dysregulation in adolescents.

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been associated with difficulties in regulating aversion states, high functional impairment, and a high risk of psychopathology across the lifespan. ADHD is clinically heterogeneous, with a wide spectrum of severity and associated symptoms. Clinical characteristics need to be carefully defined in different periods of life as ADHD course, symptoms, and comorbidities may fluctuate and change over time. Adolescence usually represents the transition from primary to secondary education, with a qualitative and quantitative change in environmental and functional demands, thus driving symptoms' change. Methods: In order to characterize age-related clinical features of children (<11 years) and adolescents (≥11 years) with ADHD, we conducted a naturalistic study on 750 children and adolescents assessed for ADHD at our Neuropsychiatry Unit over the course of 3 years (2018-2020). Results: We found that ADHD symptoms were significantly higher in children than adolescents. More importantly, we found worse global functioning, lower adaptive skills, higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, somatic complaints, emotional dysregulation, social problems, and aggression in adolescents, despite a lower severity of ADHD-specific symptoms. Conclusion: These results should be confirmed in longitudinal observational studies of adequate sample size in order to reliably describe a potential course characterized by worsening of functioning, reduction in ADHD-specific symptoms and increase in general psychopathology during the transition from childhood to adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research shows high rates of anxious symptoms in people autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Finding factors related to the development of anxiety in ASD is necessary. Emotion regulation (ER) is associated with anxiety in ASD. Moreover, some studies find higher rates of anxiety in women with ASD. A total of 121 adults (M = 35.46 years, SD = 9.46) with ASD and intellectual disabilities were evaluated to verify moderating role of gender and mediating role of ER. A moderated mediation analysis supported the moderated role of gender in the relationship mediated by emotional dysregulation between ASD and anxiety. These findings suggest that interventions designed to prevent or reduce anxiety symptoms in women with ASD should include among their goals emotional regulation. Lay Summary: If we want to reduce or prevent anxiety symptoms in women with ASD we must work on emotional regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been associated with difficulties in regulating aversion states, high functional impairment, and a high risk of psychopathology across the lifespan. ADHD is clinically heterogeneous, with a wide spectrum of severity and associated symptoms. Clinical characteristics need to be carefully defined in different periods of life as ADHD course, symptoms, and comorbidities may fluctuate and change over time. Adolescence usually represents the transition from primary to secondary education, with a qualitative and quantitative change in environmental and functional demands, thus driving symptoms’ change.MethodsIn order to characterize age-related clinical features of children (

The present explorative study aims to analyze the profiles of students seeking help in the two areas (emotion/relation or learning areas) of a psychological counseling service for students at the University of Genoa to better understand their request for support in pre- and post-pandemic periods. A total of 229 university students seeking for help from November 2018 to December 2021 completed a psychological battery investigating emotion regulation difficulties and pathological domains of personality (students taken in charge by the emotion/relation area) or motivation issues and anxiety and resilience levels (students taken in charge by the learning area). Regarding the emotion/relation area, results show that problems in emotion dysregulation, and especially in regulating positive emotions, are associated to several pathological domains of personality, such as Psychoticism, Antagonism, Disinhibition, Detachment, and Negative Affectivity. Among the learning area, motivational aspects concerning confidence in one’s intelligence, academic self-efficacy, and learning goals are differently associated with anxiety and resilience above and beyond other aspects, such as attributions. Some limited but significant differences emerge from the comparison between pre- and post-COVID periods: a reduction in detachment in students attending the emotion/relation area, an increase of students with high levels of anxiety in the learning area. These results support the importance of continually operating on emotional and motivational aspects to enhance the students’ well-being and thus sustaining their academic careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comorbidity between cardiometabolic risk factors and major mental health disorders is a public health concern. The close interconnection between the mental and physical aspects of health precludes considering each condition separately. Accordingly, this study sought to explore the interrelationships between psychological factors, overweight, and blood pressure in young adults. One hundred and forty-five young adults participated in the study and were classified according to two independent characteristics: weight condition (normal weight, overweight) and blood pressure (low blood pressure, high blood pressure). Anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation were assessed. The results confirmed certain associations, highlighting how cardiometabolic risk factors, such as blood pressure and body mass index, were associated in different ways with mental health, although an interaction between the variables was not reported. In particular, a relationship between body mass index and depression and between anxiety and blood pressure was detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various non-pharmacological interventions on comorbid emotional symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation (ED) in children and adults with ADHD. Method: Forty-four randomized controlled trials (23 studies with ADHD children and 21 studies with ADHD adults) were included. Risk of bias, heterogeneity assessment, and subgroup analyses were conducted. Results: We found that therapies targeting the relationship between children and others (i.e., parent-training [on ED and depression] and social skills training [on ED]) were efficacious in the treatment of emotional symptoms in children with ADHD at post-intervention. As for adults with ADHD, cognitive behavioral therapy was found to be effective for the improvement of emotional symptoms at both post-intervention and follow-up. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions varies substantially across children and adults with ADHD. These results provide important implications for the selection of non-pharmacological interventions for children with ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotional disorders affect numerous children and adolescents worldwide; thus, developing accessible prevention tools to reduce associated burden in youths is of crucial importance. We conducted a randomized controlled study to examine the effects of the newly developed REThink therapeutic game on reducing the subjective emotional reactivity to a stressor in children and adolescents and in modulating their frontal EEG asymmetry. A number of 165 children and adolescents were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: REThink game, a Rational Emotive Behavior Education (REBE) intervention, or a Waitlist. Participants were asked to complete an impromptu speech twice, before and after the interventions, while their anxiety and brain activity were recorded. Results suggest that relative to the Waitlist and REBE interventions, the REThink game was effective in reducing biological reactivity manifested by children and adolescents in response to speech, but not for modulating subjective anxiety. Present results provide further evidence for the potential benefits of therapeutic games in promoting mental health in children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous ecological momentary assessment (EMA) research in children has suggested that emotional dysregulation problems are commonly associated with ADHD symptoms and may help explain their relatively strong co-occurrence with anxiety and depression (collectively referred to as 'internalising problems'); however, this has yet to be replicated for adults. In this study, we used data from a n=260 longitudinal cohort and EMA study, to evaluate the hypothesis that emotional dysregulation mediates the association between ADHD symptoms and internalising problems in emerging adulthood. Emotional dysregulation was based on affect data collected in near real time and in ecological context over a 14-day period, providing a measure of emotional lability in the context of participants' daily lives. Cross-sectional mediation was tested using structural equation modelling. Emotional lability significantly mediated the association between ADHD symptoms and internalising problems. Results suggest that interventions that address the emotional dysregulation aspects of ADHD are likely to be beneficial for preventing and managing secondary internalising symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of the amygdala as a salience detector and in emotional learning is now well accepted. The mechanisms that regulate and inhibit the amygdala, however, are less well understood. This review provides evidence from imaging and lesion studies to support the role of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) as a moderator and inhibitor of the amygdala. The dual inhibition model centres on the broadly defined ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the distinct role of two of its subcomponents, the rostral anterior cingulate cortex and orbitofrontal cortex. The dual inhibition model posits that these two regions, along with their associated inhibitory pathways, must interact for adequate inhibitory control of the amygdala and emotional regulation. Following a description of the model's experimental support, it is then proposed as a neuropsychological mechanism for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Flashbacks, as a defining feature of PTSD, are described in terms of a subcortical orienting network. Finally, there is a discussion of how a neuropsychological understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might inform a clinician's approach to treatment and how the dual inhibition model might have a more general application to understanding emotional dysregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research has found that emotional dysregulation is a transdiagnostic feature across a range of common mental health difficulties and within the general population. However, existing treatment for emotional dysregulation is typically long-term, intensive or focused on personality constructs. The aims of this paper are to (1) present a transdiagnostic cognitive model of emotional dysregulation (2) present a short-term cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for mild-to-moderate presentations of emotional dysregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Difficulty identifying and describing emotions (alexithymia) has been related to impulsiveness and negative affect, emotional eating and obesity. However, previous research findings concerning the relationship between alexithymia and obesity have been mixed and inconsistent, raising the possibility that the relationship is indirect and mediated by multiple unknown factors. The aim of the study was to comprehensively explore the potential pathways between alexithymia and obesity via a novel theoretical model, and for the first time, incorporate negative affect, impulsiveness (negative urgency) and emotional eating as potential mediating factors. Two questionnaire-based studies were conducted; the first as an exploratory analysis within a student sample (N = 125), and the second as a self-replication within a more representative general population sample (N = 342). Study One revealed that difficulty identifying feelings predicted Body Mass Index (BMI) both directly (B = 0.1694, CI = 0.0194-0.3194) and indirectly via negative urgency and emotional eating (B = 0.0074, CI = 0.0001-0.0315). In contrast, Study Two revealed that alexithymia predicted BMI indirectly via negative affect (when depression was included in the model; B = 0.0335, CI = 0.0019-0.0660) or negative urgency (when anxiety was included in the model; B = 0.0021, CI = 0.0001-0.0066). Our findings provide partial support for the hypothesised model and offer original insight into the relationship between alexithymia and obesity. Additionally, our findings highlight important methodological considerations for future research and suggest that ways to address an individual's ability to identify, describe and regulate emotions should be considered when designing interventions to assist weight loss and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and Background : Emotion regulation is a process in which the individual can consciously or unconsciously moderate his/her emotions. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of emotion regulation training on reduction of depression in female university students living in dormitories in Tehran, Iran. Methods and Materials : This quasi-experimental study was conducted with experimental and control groups, pretest, posttest, and 6 months follow-up. The sample was comprised of 30 students who were in the first semester of 2010-2011 and were receiving medication for major depressive disorder. The subjects were selected via convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to two groups of experimental and control (15 patients in each). The experimental group received emotion regulation training and the control group were placed on the waiting list. The follow-up was performed 6 months after the end of the training. The data collection tools consisted of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Garnefski et al., 2001), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), and the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck & Steer, 1996). The questionnaires were completed by the participants in pretest, posttest, and follow-up. Data were analyzed via repeated measures ANOVA. Findings: Results showed a reduction in depression score in the posttest and follow-up in the experimental group and it was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.01). Moreover, a significant decrease in the subscale of self-blaming and a significant increase in acceptance and positive reappraisal were observed in the posttest and follow-up in the experimental group. However, no significant difference was observed in the anxiety score in posttest and follow-up in the experimental group. Conclusions: Data showed that emotion regulation training was efficient in the reduction of depression and improvement of emotion regulation in female students living in the dormitory and receiving medication for major depressive disorder.

A dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) group has been conducted for a number of years at a public outpatient clinic for adolescents suffering with emotional regulation difficulties and their families. A detailed account of the rationale, design, and content of both the adolescent and parent groups are provided. Data from these groups adds to the limited evidence regarding the efficacy of such groups. A retrospective analysis of changes in the adolescent participants’ emotional dysregulation, depression, anxiety and stress, following their participation in the group (N = 12) was conducted. Several substantial improvements were noted across the measures of psychopathology, following the completion of the group. These findings support the teaching of DBT skills to adolescents and their families, with some modifications being appropriate for their application to this population. Future avenues for research stemming from the group program are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In comparison to the DSM formulation of ADHD, we have proposed that ADHD in adults should be divided into Inattentive and Emotional Dysregulation Presentations. Under both systems, there is potential overlap with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). We compared data from four distinct populations: ADHD clinical trials, GAD clinical trials, an ADHD clinic, and a forensic clinic. Approximately 25% of patients in each population had comorbid ADHD and anxiety. Comorbid subjects reported more childhood ADHD symptoms and higher scores on ADHD scales and were more likely to fit criteria for ADHD Emotional Dysregulation Presentation or DSM-IV combined type. Comorbid subjects did not drop out at a higher rate and showed significant drug-placebo differences on ADHD symptoms, including Emotional Dysregulation. Conversely, although symptoms of anxiety decreased, there was no drug-placebo difference in improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research on anxiety in autism has largely focused on direct relationships. The overlap between symptoms of autism and anxiety and the influence that transdiagnostic variables exert on them make necessary explanatory models that consider all the factors involved in the triggering and maintenance of anxiety and its expression through typical features of autism. The main objective of this study was to examine the relationship between two transdiagnostic mechanisms (emotional dysregulation (ED) and intolerance of uncertainty (IU)) and repetitive and restricted patterns (RRP) and the role that anxiety has in this relationship. IU and anxiety were configured as serial mediators between ED and two subtypes of restricted patterns: sameness behaviors and sensory over-responsiveness. The sample included 87 children and adolescents on the autism spectrum aged from 6 to 18 years. Variables were assessed using a number of well-known outcome measures. The results of our simple mediation model show that the indirect effect of anxiety is higher between transdiagnostic variables and sensory over-responsiveness than between transdiagnostic variables and sameness behaviors. Our model suggests that ED predicts sameness behaviors and sensory over-responsiveness through the serial indirect effect of IU and anxiety. Our findings contribute to clarify the role that anxiety and transdiagnostic mechanisms may play on RRP and may have important implications for the assessment and treatment of anxiety in people with ASD. • Indirect effect of anxiety between transdiagnostic variables and repetitive and restrictive patterns is high. • Emotional dysregulation predicts repetitive patterns through serial indirect effect of intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety. • An increase in behaviors of insistence on sameness, or a heightened sensory over-responsiveness, could be anxiety-driven. • People with ASD could benefit from anxiety treatments targeting emotional dysregulation and intolerance of uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotional distress after traumatic brain injury (TBI) often presents as a range of neurobehavioural and emotional reactions rather than distinct disorders. This study adopted a transdiagnostic approach with the aim of identifying psychological processes common to depression, anxiety and global distress after TBI. Fifty participants with TBI (aged 19–66 years, 12–65 months post-injury) completed measures of threat appraisals and avoidance behaviour (Appraisal of Threat and Avoidance Questionnaire), self-discrepancy (Head Injury Semantic Differential Scale III), emotion dysregulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale), worry (Penn State Worry Questionnaire), negative self-focused attention (Self-Focus Sentence Completion) and emotional distress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales and Brief Symptom Inventory). Significant correlations were found among the proposed transdiagnostic variables (rs = .29–.82,p < .05). A principal components analysis revealed two underlying factors: (1) Threats to Self, and (2) Emotion Dysregulation. Only the Emotion Dysregulation factor accounted for significant unique variance in levels of depression, anxiety and global distress (sr2 = .12–.17). Such findings indicate the need for interventions to target difficulties in identifying and regulating emotions after TBI to facilitate emotional adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]