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Busonera A, Lampis J, Cataudella S. Starting University at the Time of COVID-19: Psychoemotional Adjustment of a Group of Italian Students. JOURNAL OF ADULT DEVELOPMENT 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37361378 PMCID: PMC9975844 DOI: 10.1007/s10804-023-09444-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
The transition from school to university typically occurs during emerging adulthood; this coming together of multiple challenging development tasks at the same time may be stressful for some students. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and above all the health measures implemented to deal with it, may have been an additional factor contributing to the difficult adaptation of first-year students to academic life. This study evaluated the role played by emotional processing and differentiation of self for psychological well-being in a sample of 218 Italian students (78.4% women) who began their 1st year of college during the pandemic. The results showed that higher levels of differentiation of self, combined with fewer signs of unprocessed emotions, predicted lower psychological distress. The data support the importance of these variables as protective factors in promoting psychological well-being along with the transition to adulthood and adaptation to new life challenges. These findings draw attention to the relevance of support services aimed at university students and of emerging adults in general in considering and promoting the role of self-differentiation and the style of emotional processing for addressing well-being and mental health during the transition to adult life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Busonera
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Jessica Lampis
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Stefania Cataudella
- Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Intolerance of Uncertainty and Emotional Processing in Adolescence: Separating Between-Person Stability and Within-Person Change. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2023; 51:871-884. [PMID: 36703018 PMCID: PMC9879745 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-022-01020-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Previous research on the relation between Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) and Emotional Processing (EP) during adolescence is limited. The present study aimed to clarify how IU and EP evolve over time, to what extent they are related, and whether changes in one precede or follow changes in the other. A total of 457 Italian adolescents (53.1% girls) aged 11 to 18 years (M = 14.1 ± 2.27) completed the IU and EP scales on three separate occasions three months apart (T1, T2, and T3). Data were modeled using a Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model (RI-CLPM) that separates individual differences between individuals from intraindividual changes. Descriptive analyses showed that IU was relatively stable between T1 and T2 and decreased slightly between T2 and T3. Consistent with the view that emotion regulation improves as adolescents develop, EP difficulties were found to decrease between T1 and T2 and between T2 and T3. The RI-CLPM revealed a strong between-person effect, showing that individual differences in IU and EP remained consistent throughout the study. In addition, significant within-person change was found, with adolescents who increased their IU at T1 and T2 also increasing their EP difficulties at T2 and T3, respectively. The opposite effect had a smaller effect size. In sum, our study showed that IU and EP are intertwined in adolescents and that changes in IU precede corresponding changes in EP. These results suggest a priority of change between IU and EP and confirm the relationship between IU and emotion regulation problems in adolescence.
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Maroti D, Axelsson E, Ljótsson B, Andersson G, Lumley MA, Johansson R. Psychometric properties of the emotional processing scale in individuals with psychiatric symptoms and the development of a brief 15-item version. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10456. [PMID: 35729355 PMCID: PMC9213431 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14712-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The 25-item Emotional Processing Scale (EPS) can be used with clinical populations, but there is little research on its psychometric properties (factor structure, test-retest reliability, and validity) in individuals with psychiatric symptoms. We administered the EPS-25 to a large sample of people (N = 512) with elevated psychiatric symptoms. We used confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate three a priori models from previous research and then evaluated discriminant and convergent validity against measures of alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionaire-9), and anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7). None of the a priori models achieved acceptable fit, and subsequent exploratory factor analysis did not yield a clear factor solution for the 25 items. A 5-factor model did, however, achieve acceptable fit when we retained only 15 items, and this solution was replicated in a validation sample. Convergent and discriminant validity for this revised version, the EPS-15, was r = - 0.19 to 0.46 vs. TAS-20, r = 0.07- 0.25 vs. PHQ-9, and r = 0.29- 0.57 vs. GAD-7. Test-retest reliability was acceptable (ICC = 0.73). This study strengthens the case for the reliability and validity of the 5-factor structure of the EPS but suggest that only 15 items should be retained. Future studies should further examine the reliability and validity of the EPS-15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Maroti
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Erland Axelsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Liljeholmen Primary Health Care Centre, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Academic Primary Health Care Centre, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Brjánn Ljótsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gerhard Andersson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Mark A Lumley
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Robert Johansson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Lauriola M, Donati MA, Trentini C, Tomai M, Pontone S, Baker R. The Structure of the Emotional Processing Scale (EPS-25). EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. The Emotional Processing Scale (EPS) assesses emotional processing in terms of suppression, signs of unprocessed emotion, controllability of emotions, avoidance of emotional triggers, and impoverished emotional experience. Previous confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) yielded insufficient fit and questioned the EPS factors’ discriminant validity. The present study aimed to test unidimensional, five-factor, and bifactor models using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and CFA. We administered the scale to 350 Italian participants in good health and 346 gastrointestinal patients referred for endoscopy because of mild-to-severe gastrointestinal symptoms. ESEM models outperformed corresponding CFA models. The bifactor ESEM model was a good fit in single group analyses and achieved metric and scalar invariance in multigroup analyses. The inspection of latent mean differences revealed a consistent trend for patients to avoid emotional triggers and have less general emotional processing difficulties. The study clarified the EPS factor structure and supported its use to assess the emotional processing of medical patients and community participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Lauriola
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Trentini
- Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Tomai
- Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Pontone
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Roger Baker
- Clinical Research Unit, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, UK
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Maroti D, Ljótsson B, Lumley MA, Schubiner H, Hallberg H, Olsson PÅ, Johansson R. Emotional Processing and Its Association to Somatic Symptom Change in Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for Somatic Symptom Disorder: A Preliminary Mediation Investigation. Front Psychol 2021; 12:712518. [PMID: 34690868 PMCID: PMC8528965 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.712518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate emotional processing as a potential mediator in therapist-guided, internet-based Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (I-EAET) for somatic symptom disorder, using data from a previously published pilot study. Methods: Participants (N = 52) engaged in a 9-week I-EAET treatment. Before treatment and each week during treatment (i.e., 10 weekly measurements), emotional processing was assessed with the Emotional Processing Scale-25 (EPS-25), which contains five subscales, and somatic symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15). Results: Mediation analyses using linear mixed models showed that two EPS-25 subscales—Signs of Unprocessed Emotions and Impoverished Emotional Experience—were uniquely associated with somatic symptom reduction. The proportion of the mediated effect was 0.49, indicating that about half of the total association of the PHQ-15 with symptoms was accounted for by the two EPS-25 subscales. Conclusion: This preliminary mediation analysis suggests that improved emotional processing is associated with change in somatic symptoms in I-EAET. However, randomized controlled and comparison trials are needed to establish that I-EAET creates the change in emotional processing and that such changes are specific to I-EAET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Maroti
- Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Brjánn Ljótsson
- Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mark A Lumley
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Howard Schubiner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ascension Providence-Providence Hospital, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Southfield, MI, United States
| | - Henrik Hallberg
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per-Åke Olsson
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Robert Johansson
- Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Banovic I, Montreuil L, Derrey-Bunel M, Scrima F, Savoye G, Beaugerie L, Gay MC. Toward Further Understanding of Crohn's Disease-Related Fatigue: The Role of Depression and Emotional Processing. Front Psychol 2020; 11:703. [PMID: 32425848 PMCID: PMC7204397 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Because the relationship between Crohn’s Disease (CD) activity and CD-related fatigue remains poorly understood, this study investigated the role of underlying psychological processes (depression, anxiety, and emotional processing). It was expected that the relationship between CD activity and CD-related fatigue would be mediated by depression and anxiety and also by a deficit in emotional processing. This prediction was tested in 110 CD patients who completed self-reported questionnaires assessing fatigue (FSS), clinical activity of Crohn’s Disease (HBAI), psychological suffering (HADS), and emotional processing (EPS-25). A path analysis showed both direct and indirect effects in the relationship between CD activity and CD-related fatigue, accounting for 33% of the variance. One indirect effect on the experience of fatigue was depression, but there was no effect of anxiety. These preliminary results confirmed that disease activity induces an increase in depressive symptoms, which in turn leads to an increase in the level of fatigue. The most novel result of the present study is that emotional processing had an indirect effect on the relationship between CD and CD-related fatigue: when the disease was more active, patients exhibited greater disruption of emotional processing, which in turn led to greater fatigue. These results did not reveal any association between depression and emotional processing. In conclusion, this work highlights the role of emotional processing in CD-related fatigue and the importance of taking this factor into account in order to manage this condition better.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Banovic
- CRFDP (EA7475), Rouen Normandy University, UFR SHS, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Louise Montreuil
- CRFDP (EA7475), Rouen Normandy University, UFR SHS, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Marie Derrey-Bunel
- CRFDP (EA7475), Rouen Normandy University, Hôpital Jacques Monod, Montivilliers, France
| | - Fabrizio Scrima
- CRFDP (EA7475), Rouen Normandy University, UFR SHS, Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
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