No abstract

Purpose: The aim of this paper is a synthetic presentation of the latest research results on the components of emotion dysregulation in borderline personality disorder (BPD). Views: Emotion dysregulation constitutes one of the most serious problems in BPD and manifests itself in numerous aspects of emotional functioning. Studies on BPD emotion dysregulation concern its various components, distinguished in different theoretical models. Based on a review of the empirical literature, we differentiate three main components of emotion dysregulation in BPD:(1) emotional sensitivity, (2) abnormal course of emotions in terms of: (a) emotional reactivity, (b) slow return to emotional baseline, (c) intensity of negative emotions, (d) lability of negative emotions, and (3) maladaptive aspects of applying emotion regulation strategies (described on the examples of the selected strategies: cognitive, interpersonal, and self-injury). Conclusions: Although a large number of issues pertaining to emotion dysregulation in BPD require further explanation, researchers agree that this phenomenon is characterized by a complex clinical presentation. A review of the recent studies on emotional sensitivity in BPD indicates mixed results when it comes to sensitivity to a certain kind of stimuli (i.e., facial expressions), but suggests consistently greater sensitivity in response to another (i.e., emotional scenes). The findings on reactivity and the speed of return to emotional baseline point to the significance of emotion-inducing stimuli in shaping these processes. Research results on the use of cognitive and interpersonal strategies of emotion regulation and on the predictors of self-injury are, however, not consistent. Future studies should therefore focus on identifying factors that might be affecting the differences in the outcomes of research on various components of emotion dysregulation. In order to be able to better adjust psychotherapy to the actual needs of patients with BPD, we suggest a need for combining two approaches in future research on emotion dysregulation in this disorder: within-group individual differences (considering differences within the group of patients with BPD) and a specific-transdiagnostic approach (directed at identifying differences between BPD and other mental disorders as well as their shared characteristics).

No abstract

Objective The possible role of abnormal disgust processing in the development and course of anorexia nervosa (AN) has been emphasized in theoretical models and research. However, disgust toward external stimuli and self‐disgust have not yet been investigated together in a clinical sample of AN patients. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to measure these constructs and examine their role in shaping eating pathology in AN patients and healthy controls (HCs), considering comorbid depressive and anxiety psychopathology. The study also aimed at testing the possible mediational roles of both disgust types in the associations between comorbid psychopathology and eating disorders (EDs) characteristics. Method Altogether, 63 inpatients with AN and 57 HCs partook in the study. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Inventory‐3, State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory‐II, Disgust Scale–Revised and Self‐Disgust Scale. Results AN patients manifested higher self‐disgust and disgust sensitivity than HCs. In addition, self‐disgust predicted the severity of EDs characteristics and mediated the links of depressive symptoms and trait anxiety with EDs characteristics in both groups. Discussion Our findings imply the putative role of self‐disgust in the development of EDs psychopathology in HCs and in its maintenance in AN patients.

Altered emotion dynamics and emotion regulation (ER) have been indicated in theoretical descriptions of abnormal emotional functioning, which contributes to the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa (AN). Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) has recently become popular in research on eating disorders. It is a source of new insights into the psychopathology of AN as it enables intensive long-term tracking of everyday experiences and behaviours of individuals through repeated self-reports. The following systematic review aims to synthesize research on the use of EMA when evaluating emotion dynamics and ER in AN. Specific studies were identified with the use of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases. A supplemental search was performed in reference lists of the relevant publications. As a result, 27 publications were identified and included in the systematic review. The findings from the reviewed studies point to various disturbed components of emotion dynamics as well as to unique associations of maladaptive ER strategies with specific abnormalities in emotion dynamics in AN. Limitations of the studies were discussed as well. An outlook for further research in the field was provided in the last section of the paper.