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Perchtold-Stefan CM, Schertler M, Paechter M, Fink A, Weiss EM, Papousek I. Learning to be inventive in the face of statistics: A positive reappraisal intervention for statistics anxiety. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2024; 82:101913. [PMID: 37757655 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2023.101913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The burden of statistics anxiety on students calls for effective interventions. This study investigated whether a cognitive reappraisal training designed to stimulate the generation of positive re-interpretations may yield behavioral changes in anxiety measures and changes in cerebral activation patterns reflecting the activation of approach/avoidance motivational tendencies (frontal EEG alpha asymmetry response). METHODS Three groups of female psychology students (n = 45) with statistics anxiety were tested. Two groups received a guided, two-week reappraisal training with either statistics-anxiety or general anxiety situations; the control group received no intervention. RESULTS Both training groups significantly increased their amount of positive re-interpretations from pre-to post-test compared to the control group. Increased habitual use of reappraisal in statistics situations and significant EEG changes reflecting more approach-oriented coping with anxiety occurred in the statistics-anxiety training group only. No changes in statistics anxiety and statistics attitudes were observed, suggesting that the training effects, though corroborated through neurophysiological changes, did not sufficiently translate to improving students' deep-rooted anxiety. LIMITATIONS Effects, though robust and following the same pattern, were observed in a small sample. CONCLUSIONS Our findings delineate a promising expandable approach for helping students' cope with statistics anxiety in a healthier way.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magdalena Schertler
- Center for Disability and Integration, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Paechter
- Educational Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Fink
- Biological Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Austria
| | - Elisabeth M Weiss
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ilona Papousek
- Biological Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Austria
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Potsch L, Rief W. Transdiagnostic considerations of the relationship between reward sensitivity and psychopathological symptoms - a cross-lagged panel analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:650. [PMID: 37667190 PMCID: PMC10478275 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05139-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reward sensitivity constitutes a potential key mechanism regarding the etiology and maintenance of mental disorders, especially depression. However, due to a lack of longitudinal studies, the temporal dynamics are not clear yet. Although some evidence indicates that reward processing could be a transdiagnostic mechanism of disorders, these observations could be also a product of comorbidity with depression. This study aimed at investigating the temporal dynamics of reward sensitivity and the course of psychopathological symptoms in a longitudinal investigation, while taking a possible mediating role of depression into account. METHODS We conducted a three-wave longitudinal online survey with a 4-week interval. A total of N = 453 participants filled out all three questionnaires. Reward sensitivity was assessed with the Positive Valence System Scale-21 (PVSS-21), depression with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), eating disorder symptoms with the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire-8 (EDE-Q-8), social anxiety with the Mini-social phobia inventory (Mini-SPIN) and alcohol consumption with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C). Cross-lagged panels and mediation analyses were calculated using path analyses. RESULTS Depressive and eating disorder symptoms predicted reward insensitivity at later points in time. Effects were larger from T2 to T3. A bidirectional relationship concerning social anxiety was found. Higher alcohol consumption predicted higher reward sensitivity. Depression at T2 fully mediated the association between psychopathological symptoms at T1 and reward sensitivity at T3 for social anxiety and eating disorder symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Our findings imply that reduced reward sensitivity seems to be a consequence rather than an antecedent of psychopathological symptoms. Comorbid depression plays a crucial role in other mental disorders regarding observed hyposensitivity towards rewards. Therefore, our results do not support a transdiagnostic notion of reward sensitivity, but they indicate a potential role of reward sensitivity for symptom persistence. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study was preregistered at the Open Science Framework (OSF) ( https://archive.org/details/osf-registrations-6n3s8-v1 ; registration DOI https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/6N3S8 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- L Potsch
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032, Marburg, Germany.
| | - W Rief
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032, Marburg, Germany
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Katz BA, Yovel I. Reinforcement sensitivity predicts affective psychopathology via emotion regulation: Cross-sectional, longitudinal and quasi-experimental evidence. J Affect Disord 2022; 301:117-129. [PMID: 35031330 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The current article presents a model wherein reinforcement sensitivity predicts depression and anxiety via trait preferences for concomitant emotion regulation strategies. In Study 1 (N = 593), BAS sensitivity positively predicted reappraisal and BIS sensitivity negatively predicted it. Reappraisal then negatively predicted depression. BIS sensitivity also predicted rumination, which predicted both depression and anxiety. Study 2a confirmed the model developed in Study 1 with an independent sample (N = 513) and examined the relationships longitudinally. While the cross-sectional relationships were generally maintained, reinforcement sensitivity did not predict reappraisal. In Study 2b, participants (N = 218) were assessed a third time one year later, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this stressful time, BAS sensitivity did longitudinally predict reappraisal. These studies highlight the role of emotion regulation in mediating the relationship between reinforcement sensitivity and affective pathology, particularly during times of high stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A Katz
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus Campus Jerusalem, 91905, Israel.
| | - Iftah Yovel
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus Campus Jerusalem, 91905, Israel
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Gomez R, Watson S, Stavropoulos V, Typuszak N. Associations of reinforcement sensitivity theory personality constructs, cognitive biases for negative and threatening social information, and social anxiety. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02627-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Perchtold-Stefan CM, Fink A, Bauer JF, Rominger C, Papousek I. High avoidance and low approach motivation affect cognitive reappraisal generation in the face of anger. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 42:5793-5803. [PMID: 36987512 PMCID: PMC10039092 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01917-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThis study investigates the link between the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) and individuals’ capacity to spontaneously invent alternate appraisals for aversive events. Eighty-two women completed the Reappraisal Inventiveness Test for anger-eliciting situations, and quantity and quality of reappraisal ideas were correlated with BIS, BAS, and FFFS sensitivity (RST-Personality Questionnaire). Results revealed that high BIS and high FFFS reduced the total number of reappraisal ideas, indicating that combined heightened sensitivity of the two avoidance systems may deplete individuals’ repertoire of potential reappraisals. RST effects on the quality of generated reappraisals were also found. High BIS and low BAS lowered individuals’ propensity to produce positive re-interpretations, which are considered a more adaptive reappraisal tactic. High FFFS sensitivity was linked to a lower preference for problem-oriented reappraisals. This study underlines that certain interactions of motivational subsystems may be particularly detrimental for successful reappraisal of anger-eliciting events. Our findings reveal potential links between revised RST effects and adaptive emotion regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas Fink
- Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Jonathan F. Bauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Christian Rominger
- Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Ilona Papousek
- Department of Psychology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria
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Reinforcement sensitivity, depression and anxiety: A meta-analysis and meta-analytic structural equation model. Clin Psychol Rev 2020; 77:101842. [PMID: 32179341 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) posits that individual differences in reward and punishment processing predict differences in cognition, behavior, and psychopathology. We performed a quantitative review of the relationships between reinforcement sensitivity, depression and anxiety, in two separate sets of analyses. First, we reviewed 204 studies that reported either correlations between reinforcement sensitivity and self-reported symptom severity or differences in reinforcement sensitivity between diagnosed and healthy participants, yielding 483 effect sizes. Both depression (Hedges' g = .99) and anxiety (g = 1.21) were found to be high on punishment sensitivity. Reward sensitivity negatively predicted only depressive disorders (g = -.21). More severe clinical states (e.g., acute vs remission) predicted larger effect sizes for depression but not anxiety. Next, we reviewed an additional 39 studies that reported correlations between reinforcement sensitivity and both depression and anxiety, yielding 156 effect sizes. We then performed meta-analytic structural equation modeling to simultaneously estimate all covariances and control for comorbidity. Again we found punishment sensitivity to predict depression (β = .37) and anxiety (β = .35), with reward sensitivity only predicting depression (β = -.07). The transdiagnostic role of punishment sensitivity and the discriminatory role of reward sensitivity support a hierarchical approach to RST and psychopathology.
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Naragon-Gainey K, McMahon TP, Park J. The contributions of affective traits and emotion regulation to internalizing disorders: Current state of the literature and measurement challenges. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 73:1175-1186. [PMID: 30525799 DOI: 10.1037/amp0000371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Dysfunctional affective processes are central to the experience of internalizing disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, and related disorders). Specifically, extreme positive affect and elevated negative affect each have unique and robust patterns of associations with internalizing symptoms. This article examines affect as both an individual difference and a within-person dynamic process that unfolds over time. Recent research is reviewed that clarifies the hierarchical structure of affect and facet-level associations with symptoms, affect-laden traits that confer risk for internalizing psychopathology, models of emotion regulation, and how emotion regulation abilities and strategies contribute to or detract from psychological well-being. Several measurement challenges in this literature are identified and discussed, including possible conceptual and content overlap, mood-state distortion, naturalistic assessment in daily life, and the benefits and limitations of self-reported affective experience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tierney P McMahon
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
| | - Juhyun Park
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
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Dryman MT, Heimberg RG. Emotion regulation in social anxiety and depression: a systematic review of expressive suppression and cognitive reappraisal. Clin Psychol Rev 2018; 65:17-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2018.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Markarian SA, Gildner DJ, Pickett SM, Warnke AS. Morningness-eveningness and social anxiety symptoms: the influence of depression symptoms on the indirect effect through punishment sensitivity and experiential avoidance. Chronobiol Int 2018; 36:214-224. [PMID: 30311810 DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2018.1529679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Social anxiety has recently been linked to morningness-eveningness; however, the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship are not well known. As such, the purpose of the current study is to propose a model by which morningness-eveningness is related to social anxiety symptoms through punishment sensitivity and experiential avoidance within an adult American, community sample recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk). It was hypothesized that experiential avoidance and punishment sensitivity would be associated with increased social anxiety symptoms and that morningness-eveningness would be negatively related to social anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, eveningness was hypothesized to be associated with increased punishment sensitivity and in turn, greater experiential avoidance. Lastly, the relationship between morningness-eveningness and social anxiety was hypothesized to be mediated by punishment sensitivity among the group with high depression levels, but not among the group with lesser depression symptoms. The results indicated that eveningness was related to social anxiety symptoms through experiential avoidance, and that depression symptoms influenced the relationship between morningness-eveningness and punishment sensitivity such that, in those high in depression symptoms, there was a significant association between eveningness and punishment sensitivity, but not among those with lower depression levels. The study findings build upon existing chronobiological research and addresses inconsistencies in previous literature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel J Gildner
- a Department of Psychology , Oakland University , Rochester , USA
| | - Scott M Pickett
- a Department of Psychology , Oakland University , Rochester , USA.,b Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine , Florida State University, College of Medicine
| | - Andrew S Warnke
- a Department of Psychology , Oakland University , Rochester , USA
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Kramer SL, Rodriguez BF. A Comparison of Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Measures: Unique Associations With Social Interaction Anxiety and Social Observation Anxiety. Assessment 2016; 25:627-639. [PMID: 27343246 DOI: 10.1177/1073191116654003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that the behavior inhibition system (BIS) and fight-flight-freeze system play a role in the individual differences seen in social anxiety disorder; however, findings concerning the role of the behavior approach system (BAS) have been mixed. To date, the role of revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) subsystems underlying social anxiety has been measured with scales designed for the original RST. This study examined how the BIS, BAS, and fight, flight, freeze components of the fight-flight-freeze system uniquely relate to social interaction anxiety and social observation anxiety using both a measure specifically designed for the revised RST and a commonly used original RST measure. Comparison of regression analyses with the Jackson-5 and the commonly used BIS/BAS Scales revealed important differences in the relationships between RST subsystems and social anxiety depending on how RST was assessed. Limitations and future directions for revised RST measurement are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam L Kramer
- 1 Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA
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Kramer S, Rodriguez BF, Kertz SJ. Predicting socially anxious group membership using reinforcement sensitivity theory. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2015.06.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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