Examining emotion regulation as an outcome, mechanism, or target of psychological treatments

Abstract

This paper reviews the extant literature on emotion regulation (ER) in psychological interventions. First, we review current conceptualizations of ER, highlighting a model with established clinical utility (particularly with regard to the development of new interventions and modification of existing interventions). Next, we review the literature on the effects of psychological interventions on ER, from traditional cognitive-behavioral and acceptance-based behavioral interventions that do not target ER directly to treatments that directly target ER as one component of a larger or more comprehensive treatment, as well as the preliminary research examining ER as a mechanism of change in these treatments. Finally, extant data on three treatments developed specifically to address ER are reviewed, with an emphasis on the ER-specific treatment with the most empirical support to date (emotion regulation group therapy).

Relationships Between Treatment Attitudes, Psychological Symptoms, Emotional Competence, and Help‐Seeking Intentions

“…To that end, our findings suggest that increasing emotional competence may also increase help‐seeking. Given previous research indicating that emotion regulation (i.e., the broad capabilities involved in tolerating, managing, and experiencing emotions) is transdiagnostic and, when improved, has broad positive impact (Gratz et al, ), more research is needed to understand the extent to which aspects of emotion regulation are differentially related to a perceived need for treatment and willingness and interest in obtaining it. Additionally, understanding the specific contribution of each of these factors, the mechanisms through which they affect help‐seeking intentions and behaviors, and their longitudinal effects will enhance college counselors' ability to improve advertising, outreach, and rates of engagement on campus.…”

“…A more focused look at an individual's emotional competence may explain individual differences beyond the aforementioned factors. Specifically, researchers have hypothesized the potential role of emotional competence (i.e., emotional awareness, coping skills) in the utilization (Rickwood, Deane, Wilson, & Ciarrochi, ) and effectiveness (Gratz, Weiss, & Tull, ) of mental health services. Emotional competence refers to an individual's ability to identify, describe, understand, and manage emotions (Ciarrochi & Deane, ) and has been linked to enhanced decision‐making (e.g., Avsec, ), lower impulsivity (e.g., Checa & Fernández‐Berrocal, ), and better social and interpersonal functioning (e.g., Nelis et al, ; Zaff et al, ).…”

Are difficulties in emotion regulation and intolerance of uncertainty related to negative affect in borderline personality disorder?

“…In addition, patients with BPD are usually not confident about their ability to modulate emotions effectively, a characteristic related to the low levels of self-efficacy typically observed in BPD (Sighinolfi, Pala, Chiri, Marchetti, & Sica, 2010;Zeigler-Hill & Abraham, 2006). To note, ER skills training is the key element of DBT, the evidence-based first-line treatment for BPD (Gratz, Weiss, & Tull, 2015;Salsman & Linehan, 2012).…”

Anxiety sensitivity and hazardous drinking among persons living with HIV/AIDS: An examination of the role of emotion dysregulation

“…For example, changes in the use of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies over the course of treatment have been shown to predict changes in anxiety- and alcohol-related psychopathology in a sample with comorbid anxiety and alcohol use disorders (Conklin et al, 2015). Given that newer treatments directly targeting emotion regulation are mounting growing evidence in treating a range of emotional outcomes (Gratz, Weiss, & Tull, 2015), such treatments may serve as additional options for the treatment of hazardous drinking among PLWHA.…”