Emotion dysregulation and adolescent psychopathology: A prospective study

Abstract

Background Emotion regulation deficits have been consistently linked to psychopathology in cross-sectional studies. However, the direction of the relationship between emotion regulation and psychopathology is unclear. This study examined the longitudinal and reciprocal relationships between emotion regulation deficits and psychopathology in adolescents. Methods Emotion dysregulation and symptomatology (depression, anxiety, aggressive behavior, and eating pathology) were assessed in a large, diverse sample of adolescents (N = 1,065) at two time points separated by seven months. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the longitudinal and reciprocal relationships between emotion dysregulation and symptoms of psychopathology. Results The three distinct emotion processes examined here (emotional understanding, dysregulated expression of sadness and anger, and ruminative responses to distress) formed a unitary latent emotion dysregulation factor. Emotion dysregulation predicted increases in anxiety symptoms, aggressive behavior, and eating pathology after controlling for baseline symptoms but did not predict depressive symptoms. In contrast, none of the four types of psychopathology predicted increases in emotion dysregulation after controlling for baseline emotion dysregulation. Conclusions Emotion dysregulation appears to be an important transdiagnostic factor that increases risk for a wide range of psychopathology outcomes in adolescence. These results suggest targets for preventive interventions during this developmental period of risk.

Interpersonal early‐life trauma alters amygdala connectivity and sustained attention performance

“…It is important to underscore the personal nature of these traumatic events, since they have been documented to lead to more severe symptoms than impersonal traumas like accidents or natural disasters (Perry et al., 1995). Studies of interpersonal early life trauma (I‐ELT) have further revealed increases in reactivity to fear‐conditioning and startle paradigms (Jovanovic et al., 2009, 2011; Ornitz & Pynoos, 1989), decreases in stress regulation (Gunnar, Frenn, Wewerka, & Van Ryzin, 2009), and impaired emotion regulation abilities (McLaughlin, Hatzenbuehler, Mennin, & Nolen‐Hoeksema, 2011). Such behavioral alterations have been associated with increased risk of developing psychopathology in adulthood (Heim & Nemeroff, 2001), especially posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Lanius, Frewen, Vermetten, & Yehuda, 2010; McKeever & Huff, 2003; Pratchett & Yehuda, 2011).…”

Regulação emocional em adolescentes e seus pais: Da psicopatologia ao funcionamento ótimo

“…Evidência empírica significativa tem demonstrado a importância da desregulação emocional no desenvolvimento e manutenção de diversos problemas de internalização e externalização na adolescência (Gilbert, 2012;McLaughlin, Hatzenbuehler, Mennin, & Nolen-Hoeksema, 2011;Silk et al, 2003;Zeman, Klimes-Dougan, Cassano, & Adrian, 2007).…”

“…Adolescentes com depressão apresentam um repertório mais restrito de estratégias de regulação emocional, usam estratégias menos eficazes (e.g., supressão emocional), ou deixam de usar estratégias adaptativas (e.g., reavaliação cognitiva) e acreditam menos na sua eficácia (Gilbert, 2012;McLaughlin et al, 2011;Yap et al, 2007). Uma meta análise recente acerca da relação entre as estratégias de regulação emocional e psicopatologia (ansiedade, depressão, perturbações do comportamento alimentar e de abuso de substâncias) verificou que, em geral, a utilização de estratégias não adaptativas (e.g., supressão emocional) está mais associada com o desenvolvimento de psicopatologia do que a utilização de estratégias adaptativas (e.g., reavaliação cognitiva).…”

“…Apenas tem sido verificado que uma maior intensidade de afeto negativo, níveis mais elevados de raiva e impulsividade estão associados a problemas de comportamento e que estes jovens apresentam estratégias de regulação emocional menos adaptativas (Gilbert, 2012;McLaughlin et al, 2011;Silk et al, 2003;Suveg et al, 2007).…”

Factors related to Eating Attitudes of Female High School Students

“…났으며 [7], 적응적인 정서조절전략의 부재가 행동화를 초래하 므로 [8], 인생의 가치관이 형성되어야 하는 중요한 시기에 체 중감량에 집착한 나머지 부정적 신체상을 확립하게 한다 [9].…”