Unraveling the Relationship between Trait Negative Affectivity and Habitual Symptom Reporting

Abstract

ObjectiveIn two studies, we aimed at further elucidating the relationship between trait negative affectivity (NA) and habitual symptom reporting (HSR) by relating these variables to measures of executive function, trait questionnaires, and effects of emotion induction.MethodsHealthy female participants (N = 75) were selected on their scores for trait NA and for the Checklist for Symptoms in Daily Life. Three groups were compared: (1) low NA-low HSR; (2) high NA-low HSR; and (3) high NA-high HSR (low NA-high HSR did not occur). In study 1, participants underwent a Parametric Go/No-go Task and a Stroop Color-Word test, and trait questionnaires measured alexithymia and absorption. Forty-five participants (N = 15 in each group) were further engaged in study 2 to induce state NA using an affective picture paradigm.ResultsImpaired inhibition on the Stroop and Go/No go Task characterized high trait NA, but not high HSR, whereas alexithymia and absorption were elevated in HSR, regardless of trait NA. Negative picture viewing induced elevated state NA in all groups, but only high HSR also reported more bodily symptoms. This effect was moderated, but not mediated by state NA.ConclusionHigh trait NA is a vulnerability factor but not a sufficient condition to develop HSR. Deficient inhibition is related to the broad trait of NA, whereas the moderating effect of state NA on symptom reporting is specific for high HSR. Understanding processes related to alexithymia and absorption may specifically help to explain elevated HSR.

Interoception and symptom reporting: disentangling accuracy and bias

“…Negative affect was increased in individuals high in habitual symptom report. Negative affect has been suggested to be related to a general lack of inhibition and not specifically to interoception ( Bogaerts et al, 2015 ), but again, our results suggest that this effect is not a general effect across all types of stimuli within a category, but higher for more ambiguous stimuli. The relationship between negative affect and perceptual bias has been confirmed in a large number of studies (e.g., Bar-Haim et al, 2007 ; Cisler and Koster, 2010 ), but testing decision strategies under uncertainty may help to shed light on the processes underlying this relationship.…”

Procrastination as a self-regulation failure: The role of inhibition, negative affect, and gender

“…The use of an SST that includes emotional stimuli should therefore be considered. This is all the more important since emotions have been shown to interfere with the effectiveness of inhibitory control (e.g., Bogaerts et al, 2015;Rebetez, Rochat, Billieux, et al, 2015). A number of limitations on the current study should be considered.…”

“…Indeed, there is some evidence of links between procrastination and gender (men would procrastinate more than women; e.g., Steel & Ferrari, 2013), as well as negative affect (procrastinators would exhibit higher levels of negative affect such as depression and anxiety; e.g., Senecal, Koestner, & Vallerand, 1995). Other evidence suggests an association between high trait negative affectivity and impaired inhibitory control (Bogaerts et al, 2015). In addition, gender differences in inhibitory control and emotionality have been highlighted.…”

Symptoms and the body: Taking the inferential leap

“…Importantly, high NA appears to be a vulnerability factor for MUS when it interacts with increased self-focused attention (Gendolla et al, 2005), with previous experiences of somatic events and/or with somatic concerns (Bogaerts et al, 2014;Van den Bergh et al, 1997). As trait anxiety is associated with elevated sensitivity to threat (Hariri, 2009;Yiend, 2010) and compromised inhibitory systems for counter-regulating unpleasantness, it is likely that these mechanisms are involved in the association between high trait NA persons and MUS (Bishop, 2009;Montoya et al, 2005;Tillisch et al, 2011;Van Oudenhove and Aziz, 2013).…”