Effects of the behavioral inhibition system (BIS), behavioral activation system (BAS), and emotion regulation on depression: A one-year follow-up study in Chinese adolescents

The impact of behavioral activation on depressive symptoms in colorectal cancer patients within a medical environment: the mediating role of physical activity

Colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment often affects patients' quality of life, leading to depressive symptoms. Behavioral activation (BA) therapy, which increases engagement by enhancing positive reinforcement and reducing avoidance, has shown potential in managing these symptoms. Physical activity (PA) is also known to alleviate depression, though its role as a mediator in BA's effectiveness remains unclear. This clinical trial was retrospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov on April 5, 2024 (Effects of Behavioral Activation on Negative Emotions, Cancer-related Symptoms and Clinical Indicators in Cancer Patients, NCT06348940). This study explores PA's mediating effect within BA interventions. A total of 109 CRC patients with depressive symptoms were randomly assigned to a BA group (n=52) or a Usual Care (UC) group (n=57). Assessments occurred at baseline (T0), after the fourth session (T1), and post-intervention (T2). The BA group showed significant improvement compared to the UC group. Repeated measures ANOVA confirmed BA's effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms, improving quality of life, alleviating psychological distress, increasing activation, and raising PA levels. PA changes accounted for 36.91% of the intervention's total effect on depression reduction. BA effectively reduces depression and enhances life quality in CRC patients. Changes in PA intensity are significantly associated with depression reduction, suggesting PA's mediating role in BA's impact. Incorporating PA into BA may enhance therapeutic outcomes for CRC patients with depression.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese-version Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System Scales among stroke survivors with depressive symptoms

Objective

This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scales among stroke survivors.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted at four comprehensive hospitals in Taizhou, Jiangsu, China. A sample of 232 first-ever stroke survivors were recruited from June to August 2023. Validity was examined using face validity and construct validity, which used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and known-group analysis. Reliability was evaluated by internal consistency and test-retest reliability.

Results

The BIS/BAS scales demonstrated satisfactory face validity. The findings of CFAs supported the original four-factor structure of BAS-reward, BAS-drive, BAS-fun seeking, and BIS with acceptable model fit indices. Discriminative validity, assessed via known-group analysis, indicated that stroke survivors with probable depression had significantly lower mean BAS-reward, BAS-drive, and BAS-fun seeking scores (P < 0.001) and a higher mean BIS score (P = 0.028) compared to those without probable depression. The internal consistency, measured by Cronbach's α coefficients for the subscales, ranged from 0.669 to 0.964. Test-retest reliability, assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients, ranged from 0.61 to 0.93.

Conclusions

The Chinese version of the BIS/BAS scales could be a reliable and valid instrument for measuring behavioral activation among stroke survivors.

Exploring the impact and mechanisms of behavioral activation on sleep disorders in colorectal cancer: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients frequently experience sleep disturbances, significantly impacting their quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is considered the first-line treatment but is often complex, costly, and requires highly trained therapists. Behavioral activation (BA), derived from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), offers a flexible, simple, and cost-effective alternative. BA highlights the importance of activation, a strategy that encourages active participation in positive, meaningful activities to boost positive experiences and reduce negative emotions, which may have potential benefits for individuals with sleep disorders. This study explores the effects of BA on sleep disturbances, quality of life, and psychological distress in CRC patients and investigates potential underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

The study included 101 CRC patients with sleep disturbances, who were randomly assigned to either the BA group (n = 53) or the usual care (UC) group (n = 48). Assessments of quality of life, sleep disturbances, psychological distress, activation, avoidance, and physical activity levels were conducted at baseline (T0), four weeks later (T1), and post-intervention (T2). Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis was used to evaluate the intervention's impact and potential mediating effects.

RESULTS

The BA group experienced significant improvements in sleep disturbances (Wald's χ2 = 7.979, P = 0.019), enhanced quality of life (Wald's χ2 = 6.435.P = 0.04), and reduced psychological distress (Wald's χ2 = 56.728, P < 0.001) compared to the UC group. Physical activity (P < 0.001) partially mediated the intervention effects of BA on sleep disturbances, while activation (P = 0.073) demonstrated marginal mediating effects.

CONCLUSION

BA is an effective psychological intervention that significantly improves sleep disturbances, enhances quality of life, and alleviates psychological distress in CRC patients. Mediator analysis indicates that physical activity partially mediates the effects of BA on sleep disturbances, with activation showing marginal significance. Future research should further investigate the underlying mechanisms and long-term effects of BA on sleep disturbances.

Approach and withdrawal from cognitively effortful activities: Development, validation, and transdiagnostic clinical utility of a cognitive motivation scale

BACKGROUND

Deficits in cognition and motivation predict functioning in depressive and psychotic disorders. However, experimental tasks of cognitive motivation are inconsistently correlated with functioning, time-intensive, and not intuitive in clinical practice. We aimed to develop and validate a self-report instrument to assess motivation processes pertinent to engagement with cognitive activities in daily life.

METHOD

Following item generation, scale dimensionality, reliability, and validity were evaluated iteratively over Studies 1-3 with online general adult participants (n1 = 205; n2 = 235; n3 = 181). The 20-item Cognitive Motivation scale was also validated in a Study 3 sub-sample reporting high levels of depressive symptoms (n = 74) and Study 4 early psychosis outpatients (n = 25).

RESULTS

Two-factor model of cognitive approach and cognitive withdrawal, each with good internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity was supported. Cognitive withdrawal showed stronger associations with cognitive difficulties, depressive symptoms, and functional impairments than traditional motivation scale. Participants reporting high depression levels showed more severe difficulties with cognitive motivation than participants reporting low depression levels. In early psychosis outpatients, correlations with functioning and cognitive effort expenditure provided support for scale validity.

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional data collection restricted evaluation of repeated administration psychometric properties. Scale validation was mostly established in online community samples and a small patient sample during the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby limiting generalizability of clinical applications.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive Motivation scale is a promising tool for future intervention trials seeking to target motivational processes associated with functioning in the general population and potentially across patient groups with amotivation symptoms.

Understanding the relationships among adolescents' internet dependence, reward, cognitive control processing, and learning burnout: a network perspective in China

Alterations in the reward and cognitive control systems are commonly observed among adolescents with internet dependence (ID), and this impairment is often accompanied by social dysfunctions, such as academic burnout. However, the intercorrelations among ID, reward, cognitive control processing, and learning burnout remain unclear. We recruited 1074 Chinese adolescents to investigate the complex interrelationships among these variables using network analysis. The resulting network revealed patterns that connected ID to the behavioral inhibition/activation system (BIS/BAS), self-control, and learning burnout; these results exhibited reasonable stability and test-retest consistency. Throughout the network, the node of BAS-drive was the critical influencing factor, and the node of self-control was the protection factor. In addition, several symptoms of learning burnout and ID were positively associated with sensitivity to punishment. As revealed by the network comparison test, the network constructed among internet dependent (ID) group differed from the network constructed among internet nondependent (IND) group not only in the edges between BIS and learning burnout but also in terms of the edges associated with learning burnout. In conclusion, this study provides insights into the complex mechanisms underlying ID among adolescents from the perspective of the network relationships between core influencing factors and negative consequences. It validates the dual-system model of risky behavior among adolescents and offers a foundation for early warning and interventions for ID in this context.

Penalized canonical correlation analysis reveals a relationship between temperament traits and brain oscillations during mind wandering

INTRODUCTION

There has been a growing interest in studying brain activity under naturalistic conditions. However, the relationship between individual differences in ongoing brain activity and psychological characteristics is not well understood. We investigated this connection, focusing on the association between oscillatory activity in the brain and individually characteristic dispositional traits. Given the variability of unconstrained resting states among individuals, we devised a paradigm that could harmonize the state of mind across all participants.

METHODS

We constructed task contrasts that included focused attention (FA), self-centered future planning, and rumination on anxious thoughts triggered by visual imagery. Magnetoencephalography was recorded from 28 participants under these 3 conditions for a duration of 16 min. The oscillatory power in the alpha and beta bands was converted into spatial contrast maps, representing the difference in brain oscillation power between the two conditions. We performed permutation cluster tests on these spatial contrast maps. Additionally, we applied penalized canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to study the relationship between brain oscillation patterns and behavioral traits.

RESULTS

The data revealed that the FA condition, as compared to the other conditions, was associated with higher alpha and beta power in the temporal areas of the left hemisphere and lower alpha and beta power in the parietal areas of the right hemisphere. Interestingly, the penalized CCA indicated that behavioral inhibition was positively correlated, whereas anxiety was negatively correlated, with a pattern of high oscillatory power in the bilateral precuneus and low power in the bilateral temporal regions. This unique association was found in the anxious-thoughts condition when contrasted with the focused-attention condition.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest individual temperament traits significantly affect brain engagement in naturalistic conditions. This research underscores the importance of considering individual traits in neuroscience and offers an effective method for analyzing brain activity and psychological differences.

Transdiagnostic phenomena of psychopathology in the context of the RDoC: protocol of a multimodal cross-sectional study

In the past, affective and cognitive processes related to psychopathology have been examined within the boundaries of phenotype-based diagnostic labels, which has led to inconsistent findings regarding their underlying operating principles. Investigating these processes dimensionally in healthy individuals and by means of multiple modalities may provide additional insights into the psychological and neuronal mechanisms at their core. The transdiagnostic phenomena Neuroticism and Rumination are known to be closely linked. However, the exact nature of their relationship remains to be elucidated. The same applies to the associations between Hedonic Capacity, Negativity Bias and different Emotion Regulation strategies.This multimodal cross-sectional study examines the relationship of the transdiagnostic phenomena Neuroticism and Rumination as well as Hedonic Capacity, the Negativity Bias and Emotion Regulation from a RDoC (Research Domain Criteria) perspective. A total of 120 currently healthy subjects (past 12 months) will complete several questionnaires regarding personality, emotion regulation, hedonic capacity, and psychopathologies as well as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during cognitive and emotional processing, to obtain data on the circuit, behavioral and self-report level.This study aims to contribute to the understanding of the relationship between cognitive and affective processes associated with psychopathologies as well as their neuronal correlates. Ultimately, a grounded understanding of these processes could guide improvement of diagnostic labels and treatments. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and the limited variability in psychopathology scores due to the restriction of the sample to currently healthy subjects.

Youth Dating Violence, Behavioral Sensitivity, and Emotional Intelligence: A Mediation Analysis

Intimate partner violence is a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing psychological, physical, and sexual components. Violence in young couples is common in our society. This kind of violence is usually bidirectional, which adds to its complexity. This study aimed to explore how victimization (in three dimensions: non-abuse, technical mistreatment, and mistreatment) and perpetration (in two dimensions: non-perpetrator and perpetrator) are related to the BIS (Behavioral Inhibition System)/BAS (Behavioral Approach System), and it also evaluated if the dimensions of emotional intelligence (EI) (emotional attention, clarity, and regulation) mediate this relationship. Violence was evaluated in 272 young volunteer participants, as well as BIS/BAS behavioral sensitivity and perceived emotional intelligence. The correlations between these variables were analyzed, and a mediation analysis was also conducted. The results show that victimization (of the sexual and coercive type) was associated with less BAS activation, while victimization (of the sexual, humiliation, and detachment types) was associated with less BIS activity. All types of victimization were associated with less EI, specifically with less emotional clarity. Aggression (of the sexual, humiliation, detachment, and coercion types) was related to lower BAS and higher BIS sensitivity. Detachment aggression was associated with low emotional clarity. In conclusion, relationships between victimization and perpetration are evidenced in terms of BIS/BAS sensitivity and EI. Specifically, the dimension of EI emotional clarity acts as a mediator of BIS activation in victims of detachment.

Reduced reward responsiveness in treatment resistant depression of middle-aged adults: Association with carotid artery stiffness and tetrahydrobiopterin

Nearly one third of the population diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) fail to respond to two or more antidepressant drugs of adequate dose and duration. This necessitates identification of confounding psychological and physiological factors that could contribute to treatment resistant depression (TRD). The present longitudinal study investigated the influence of behavioural inhibition system (BIS) and behavioural approach system (BAS) in treatment resistance. Further, the association of depression severity with physiological factors contributing to arterial stiffness was also investigated. Baseline data was acquired from 101 middle-aged (36-56 years) patients on immediate diagnosis with MDD using DSM-V criteria. Follow ups were conducted at 06 months and 12 months during treatment. Psychological assessment battery at baseline and follow ups comprised of Hamilton depression rating (HAM-D) for depression severity, WHODAS-2 and BIS-BAS score. Atherosclerosis and central arterial stiffness were measured by intima-media thickness of internal carotid artery and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Physiological factors influencing central vascular function viz., body-mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, HbA1c, central systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and tetrahydrobiopterin were also investigated. Our results show lower reward responsiveness (BAS-RR) and higher BIS scores in TRD patients along with differentially higher intima-media thickness of left internal carotid artery. Higher depression severity at all stages of the study was correlated with lower tetrahydrobiopterin and BAS-RR scores. We, therefore, suggest that vascular depression resulting due to increased intima-media thickness of left carotid artery and lower tetrahydrobiopterin could be contributing factors for treatment resistance in middle-aged MDD patients.

Depressive symptoms and affordance perception: The case of perceived reachability boundary

According to the ecological approach to perception, affordances (i.e., action possibilities) are perceived directly in the environment and body-scaled. Previous theoretical work has suggested that the perception of action possibilities is influenced by depression (which has sometimes been conceived as an action-related disorder). However, thus far the relationship between affordance and depression has never been investigated in an experimental study. The goal of this study was to assess the relationships between reachability perception and depressive symptoms. Participants estimated their maximum ability to reach a target with their hand (without moving). Actual motor reachability capacities were then assessed. To determine the critical point, both measures were related to the participant's arm length and converted into an intrinsic body-scaled measurement. Participants were allocated to either the healthy group or the group with depressive symptoms according to their Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Screen (BDI-FS) scores. Results showed that participants with depressive symptoms were more conservative in their estimations than healthy participants. Depressive symptoms were associated with the perception of decreased motor action possibilities in comparison with what was observed when no symptoms were reported. These data are discussed in relation to theoretical models of depression and affordance.

Both direction and degree of handedness as influential factors in rumination

There is contradictory evidence on the influence of handedness on depression and anxiety. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between handedness and rumination, which is robustly associated with both depression and anxiety. This study aimed to examine the influence of direction and consistency of handedness on rumination, considering four different classifications of handedness. The study sample included 406 participants (282 females) who attended an online survey and answered a demographic questionnaire, the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, the Ruminative Response Scale, and the second edition of the Beck Depression Inventory. Considering four different classifications of handedness, a series of one-way ANOVAs was conducted to investigate any differences between the handedness groups. Besides, linear regression models were used to predict depression or rumination scores among the whole study sample, left-handers, and right-handers. Consistency of handedness predicted rumination among right-handers (but not left-handers), with a direct association between consistency and brooding/total rumination scores. Also, consistent left-handers and consistent right-handers showed higher brooding scores than inconsistent right-handers. Overall, the results supported the significant influence of both direction and consistency of handedness on individual differences in rumination and suggested consistent- and left-handedness as perpetuating factors for ruminative response style.

The reinforcement sensitivity theory affects questionnaire (RST-AQ). A validation study of a new scale targeting affects related to anxiety, approach motivation and fear

This paper presents the RST-AQ, a 22-item scale to measure the affective states related to the three motivational systems postulated by Reinforcement Sensitivity theory (RST-AQ): the Behavioral approach system (BAS), Behavioral inhibition system (BIS), and the Fight-Flight-Freeze system (FFFS). The three subscales are internally consistent. Results show an overall support for construct validity of our RST-AQ measure. The correlations of the RST-AQ subscales with other measures demonstrate a good convergent and divergent validity with regard to the subscales of BAS and BIS. The RTS-AQ Scale provides researcher with the first instrument to measures the affective states of the RST theory.

Frontostriatal Functional Connectivity Underlies the Association between Punishment Sensitivity and Procrastination

Procrastination is defined as putting off an intended course of action voluntarily despite the harmful consequences. Previous studies have suggested that procrastination is associated with punishment sensitivity in that high punishment sensitivity results in increased negative utility for task performance. We hypothesized the effects of punishment sensitivity on procrastination would be mediated by a network connecting the caudate nucleus and prefrontal cortex, both of which have been previously associated with self-control and emotional control during procrastination. We employed voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) to examine the neural substrates of punishment sensitivity and its relationship with procrastination (N = 268). The behavioral results indicated a strong positive correlation between measures of punishment sensitivity and procrastination. The VBM analysis revealed that the gray matter (GM) volume of the right caudate was significantly positively correlated with punishment sensitivity. The primary rsFC analysis revealed connectivity between this caudate location and the bilateral middle frontal gyrus (MFG) was significantly negatively correlated with punishment sensitivity. A mediation model indicated punishment sensitivity completely mediated the relation between functional connectivity within a caudate–bilateral MFG network and procrastination. Our results support the theory that those with higher punishment sensitivity have weaker effective emotional self-control supported by the caudate–MFG network, resulting in greater procrastination.

Self-construal and behavioral motivation systems among patients with depression in Indonesia: A hospital-based study

Objective

To validate Indonesian versions of two social/cultural psychological scales: the Self-Construal Scale (SCS) that measures independent and interdependent cultural values, and the Behavioral Inhibition (Avoidance) System and Behavioral Approach System (BIS/BAS) that measures motivation focus. We also explored the cultural background for the rising prevalence of depression in Indonesia.

Design

Case (hospital)–control (population) study.

Setting

Hasanuddin University Hospital (cases) and Makassar city region (controls), Indonesia.

Participants

Participants (N = 369) were 165 patients with depression recruited from a university hospital, and 204 healthy controls without a history of mental disorders recruited from locations within a 30-minute walk from the hospital.

Outcome measures

Depression was diagnosed by psychiatrists with reference to Indonesian mental disorder guidelines (Pedoman Penggolongan dan Diagnosa Gangguan Jiwa edisi 3). Participants’ independent and interdependent cultural values, and neural motivational systems were measured with the SCS and BIS/BAS.

Results

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that our revised 12-item SCS and the 13-item, three-factor BIS/BAS had a good model fit for the Indonesian population. MANCOVA showed that the SCS Independent subscale and the BAS subscales were significantly associated with depression after adjustment for age, sex, religion, education, and occupation.

Conclusion

These findings may guide provision of appropriate treatment for patients based on their social and cultural environment. In addition, this study contributes to understanding underlying reasons for the increasing prevalence of depression in Indonesia, where society is changing from traditional collectivism to global individualism.

•

This was the first study to validate and revised the SCS and BIS/BAS in an Indonesian population.

•

This study was the first to explore the link between self-construal, neural motivational systems and depression in Indonesia.

•

This study did not draw causal relations between predictors and the outcome because of its cross-sectional nature.

•

We used occupation to measure socioeconomic status rather than income to see its linkage with depression and self-construal.

•

We did not measure effects of ethnicity, although Indonesia has various ethnic groups with different societies and cultures.

Reinforcement sensitivity predicts affective psychopathology via emotion regulation: Cross-sectional, longitudinal and quasi-experimental evidence

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.

Social anxiety and rumination in the context of the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory and the mediation model of social anxiety

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between temperament, ruminative thought style and social anxiety using latent variable modeling. Before examining the integrated model that specifies the relations between the constructs, relevant measurement issues were examined. The study was conducted on a heterogeneous sample from the general population that included 1,029 participants (62.1% female) aged 19 to 79. The findings show that the Behavioural Inhibition System is the most important vulnerability factor for the development of social anxiety, and it has both a direct effect and an indirect one through the ruminative thought style. Also, Freeze has an additional contribution to the increased experience of social anxiety. The Behavioural Approach System has complex effects on social anxiety ? with a direct protective effect, and indirectly ? with a facilitation of the ruminative thought style. Thus, BAS can also act as a risk factor. The findings support the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory and provide a basis for the extension of the Kimbrel?s Mediation Model of Social Anxiety.

Avoidance Bias to Angry Faces Predicts the Development of Depressive Symptoms among Adolescent Girls

Interpersonal-motivational models posit that heightened avoidance of aversive social stimuli and diminished approach of appetitive social stimuli increases social withdrawal and reduces positive social interactions, thereby increasing risk for future social anxiety and depression. The current study examined if approach-avoidance biases toward angry and happy faces, measured during the Approach Avoidance Task (AAT), would be associated with the development of adolescent depressive and social anxiety symptoms. At baseline, participants included 129 never-depressed adolescent girls (ages 11-13), two-thirds of whom were at high-risk for internalizing problems due to shy/fearful temperament. Girls reported their depressive and social anxiety symptoms every 6 months for 24 months and completed the AAT at baseline and 24-mo follow-up. Heightened avoidance bias toward angry faces at baseline predicted increases in depressive symptoms across the follow-up, even after accounting for temperament and pubertal status. In contrast, girls with greater depression and social anxiety symptoms at 24-mo follow-up exhibited less avoidance bias for angry faces at the same time point. Findings suggest that avoidance behaviors (i.e., avoiding people or settings associated with angry faces, which are often perceived as hostile, critical, or rejecting) may be a risk factor for depression, above and beyond risk imparted by temperament or advances in puberty. However, with increasing internalizing symptoms, it may become more difficult for adolescents to maintain avoidance for aversive social stimuli, and without the introduction of more adaptive emotion regulation strategies, these biases may continue to increase and maintain risk for internalizing problems.

The effect of personality characteristics combined with behavioral activation system (BAS) / behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and sport emotional induction on working memory

Study aim: To investigate the interactive effects of behavioral activation or behavioral inhibition and induced pleasant or unpleasant emotions on working memory performance among young adults.

Material and methods: Eighty participants (age 18–32 years) were randomly classified into 2 groups behavioral activation or inhibition and then sub-divided further via whether they received inductions in either pleasant emotions or unpleasant emotions. A pre-test measure of the working memory test was recorded and repeated after emotional induction.

Results: The ANOVA analysis indicated significant effect of PERSONALITY factor (F1,76 = 4.760, p = 0.0322, ηp 2 = 0.059) on results of the working memory test. The memory performance of the behavioral activation group that received positive emotion was better than the other groups, and the working memory performance of the behavioral inhibition group that received positive emotion was poorer than the other groups. Furthermore, the working memory performance of the behavioral activation group (positive emotion) was better than the other groups. Also, the working memory performance of the behavioral inhibition group (positive emotion) was poorer than the other groups.

Conclusions: Finally, the findings support the different effects of the brain behavioral systems and sport emotional induction on working memory.

Individual interregional perfusion between the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex stimulation targets and the subgenual anterior cortex predicts response and remission to aiTBS treatment in medication-resistant depression: The influence of behavioral inhibition

BACKGROUND

Accelerated intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (aiTBS) has been put forward as an effective treatment to alleviate depressive symptoms. Baseline functional connectivity (FC) patterns between the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the subgenual anterior cortex (sgACC) have gained a lot of attention as a potential biomarker for response. However, arterial spin labeling (ASL) - measuring regional cerebral blood flow - may allow a more straightforward physiological interpretation of such interregional functional connections.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated whether baseline covariance perfusion connectivity between the individually stimulated left DLPFC targets and sgACC could predict meaningful clinical outcome. Considering that individual characteristics may influence efficacy prediction, all patients were also assessed with the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scale.

METHODS

After baseline ASL scanning, forty-one medication-resistant depressed patients received twenty sessions of neuronavigated left DLPFC aiTBS in an accelerated sham-controlled crossover fashion, where all stimulation sessions were spread over four days (Trial registration: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01832805).

RESULTS

Stronger individual baseline interregional covariance perfusion connectivity patterns predicted response and/or remission. Furthermore, responders and remitters with higher BIS scores displayed stronger baseline interregional perfusion connections.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeting the left DLPFC with aiTBS based on personal structural imaging data only may not be the most optimal method to enhance meaningful antidepressant responses. Individual baseline interregional perfusion connectivity could be an important added brain imaging method for individual optimization of more valid stimulation targets within the left DLPFC. Additional therapies dealing with behavioral inhibition may be warranted.

High avoidance and low approach motivation affect cognitive reappraisal generation in the face of anger

This 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.

The Mediating Role of Cognitive Emotion Regulation in BIS/BAS Sensitivities, Depression, and Anxiety Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in China

Background

The behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral activation system (BAS), which primarily underlie emotions and behaviors, are associated with depression and anxiety. However, the reasons behind these associations require further exploration.

Objective

This study aims to examine the mediating effects of cognitive emotion regulation between BIS/BAS and depression/anxiety among community-dwelling elderly Chinese.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 836 elderly individuals. Structural equation modeling was used to determine relationships among BIS/BAS, cognitive emotion regulation, and depression/anxiety.

Results

Participants reporting higher BIS sensitivity were more likely to use maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies, which were in turn associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety. BAS sensitivity was more likely to lead to adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies, which resulted in lower levels of depression and anxiety.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that incorporating emotional regulation in interventions targeting BIS/BAS sensitivities may enhance the accuracy and efficiency of these treatments for depression and anxiety.

Direct and Indirect Effects of Behavioral Inhibition/Activation Systems on Depression and Current Suicidal Ideation Through Rumination and Self-Reflection

This study aimed to evaluate direct and indirect effects of the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and the behavioral activation system (BAS) on depression and current suicidal ideation through rumination and self-reflection in a sample of suicide attempters. Three hundred suicide attempters completed the Rumination/Reflection Questionnaire (RRQ), the Carver and White BIS/BAS scales, the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI), and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Results revealed that the BAS and BIS had direct effects on suicidal ideation but not depression. Low BAS had an indirect effect on depression through decreased self-reflection. High BIS had an indirect effect on depression via increased rumination. Low BAS and high BIS had indirect effects on suicidal ideation through decreased self-reflection. The findings suggest that low BAS and high BIS may be associated with depression and suicidal ideation in suicide attempters who have decreased self-reflection and increased rumination. Also, increasing self-reflection and reducing rumination as respectively adaptive and maladaptive self-focused attention strategies may prohibit depression and suicidal ideation.

Rejection Sensitivity Mediates the Relationship Between Social-Interpersonal Stressors and Depressive Symptoms in Military Context

BACKGROUND

Depression is pervasive in the military context and is likely to elicit lasting negative effects on health. Based on interpersonal models, social-interpersonal stressors are significantly associated with the development and maintenance of depression. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which these stressors increase the risk of depression in terms of social relationships. Rejection sensitivity, which refers to people who are sensitive to social rejection and tend to anxiously expect, readily perceive, and overreact to it, may play an underlying role in this process, as it is formed through social-interpersonal stressors and then aggravates further symptoms of depression.

OBJECTIVES

The current study aimed to examine the mediating effects on the relationship between social-interpersonal stressors and depressive symptoms in the military context.

METHODS

This study recruited 600 soldiers aged from 17 to 36 (M = 21.80; SD = 2.99; 100% males) with a cluster sampling method who completed Social-Interpersonal Stressors subscale, Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Mediation analyses examined the underlying mechanism between social-interpersonal stressors and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

The results support the hypothesis and indicate that rejection sensitivity mediates the association between social-interpersonal stressors and depressive symptoms (B indirect = 0.02, p < 0.001, 95% CI= 0.005 to 0.044).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that interventions designed to desensitize individuals' high levels of rejection sensitivity may help to decrease their risk of depressive symptoms in the military environment. Rejection sensitivity is an important mechanism underpinning the development of depressive symptoms. Other theoretical and applied implications for prevention of depressive symptoms in the military context are discussed.

BIS and BAS Sensitivities at Different Levels of Personality Description: A Latent-Variable Approach with Self- and Informant-Ratings

We examine the structural overlap of the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and the Behavioral Approach System (BAS) with Stability and Plasticity, the two higher-order factors encompassing the Big Five. Carver and White's BIS/BAS and the Big Five Inventory were administered to a sample of 330 adults, serving both as targets and informants. Self- and other-ratings were modeled by using the Correlated Trait-Correlated Method model. BIS and BAS correlated highly with metatraits, after method variance and measurement error were partialled out: BIS was positively related to Stability, while BAS was positively related to Plasticity and negatively related to Stability. After the higher-order factors were controlled, the BIS was highly and positively related to Emotional stability, whereas the BAS had a small but significant relationship with Extraversion. Findings are discussed with regard to the most appropriate level of generality/specificity at which the personality correlates of BIS and BAS can be investigated.

Reinforcement sensitivity, depression and anxiety: A meta-analysis and meta-analytic structural equation model

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.

High Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System Sensitivity, Childhood Emotional Neglect and Their Interaction as Possible Related Factors for Adult Attachment Style in Depression

OBJECTIVE

Individual differences in attachment insecurity are important in a broad range of mental health problems. However, few empirical studies have examined the clinical factors that contribute to individual differences in attachment style. This study examines the nature of interrelationships among adult attachment styles, sensitivities of behavioral activation system/behavioral inhibition system (BIS/BAS), and childhood trauma in patients with depressive disorders.

METHODS

Patients with depressive disorders (n=294) completed self-report questionnaires evaluating adult attachment style, childhood trauma, and BIS/BAS sensitivity. We performed multiple regression analyses to examine the associations between attachment style and other clinical factors, including childhood trauma and BIS/BAS sensitivity. We also conducted hierarchical regression analyses and simple slope analyses to examine the interaction between BIS/BAS sensitivity and childhood trauma.

RESULTS

The BAS sensitivity was negatively associated with attachment avoidance. The higher was the BIS/BAS sensitivity, the higher was the level of attachment anxiety. Among childhood trauma, emotional neglect contributed to both dimensions of insecure attachment. The interaction between BAS sensitivity and emotional neglect is significantly associated with attachment anxiety.

CONCLUSION

This study used data regarding the interrelationship of childhood trauma and basic motivational systems to contribute to the understanding of adult insecure attachment behaviors, a risk factor for depression.

Sex Differences in the Association between Cortical Thickness and Children's Behavioral Inhibition

AIM

To investigate sex differences in the association between cortical thickness and behavioral inhibition of 9-10 years old American children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional investigation used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Baseline ABCD data of 10249 American children between ages 9 and 10 were analyzed. The independent variable was cortical thickness measured by structural brain magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI). The primary outcome, behavioral inhibition, was measured based on the behavioral inhibition system (BIS), and behavioral approach system (BAS). Sex was the moderator. Age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status indicators, and intracranial volume were covariates.

RESULTS

In the overall sample, high cortical thickness was not associated with behavioral inhibition in children. Sex showed a statistically significant interaction with cortical thickness's effect on children's behavioral inhibition, net of all confounders. The interaction indicated a statistically stronger positive effect of high cortical thickness on male behavioral inhibition compared to female children.

CONCLUSION

Cortical thickness is a determinant of behavioral inhibition for male but not female American children. Male but not female children show better behavioral inhabitation at higher levels of cortical thickness.

Childhood maltreatment, cognitive emotion regulation strategies, and alcohol craving and dependence in alcohol-dependent males: Direct and indirect pathways

OBJECTIVES

Childhood maltreatment (CM) and cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERSs) may be important in alcohol craving and dependence in alcohol-dependent individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate direct effects of CM on the subscales of alcohol craving and alcohol dependence and its indirect effects via CERSs in individuals with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional design, 329 alcohol-dependent males completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Short version (CERQ-Short), the Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS), the Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale (OCDS), and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II).

RESULTS

Participants with alcohol dependence had early age of onset of alcohol use (mean = 20.78 years), relatively long duration of alcohol use (mean = 11.14 years), and low education (mean = 9.55 years). Indirect effects were observed from CM to the subscales of alcohol craving and dependence only through maladaptive CERSs after adjusting for demographic and clinical factors. No direct effect was observed through CM on the subscales of alcohol craving and dependence.

CONCLUSIONS

Although drawing causal conclusions from the current research is impossible, the findings suggest that maladaptive CERSs may be a possible mechanism relating CM to alcohol craving and dependence in treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent individuals, while adaptive CERSs may be less important regarding this relation. However, the findings of the current study need longitudinal research.

Mediating Effect of Trait Emotional Intelligence Between the Behavioral Activation System (BAS)/Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Positive and Negative Affect

Gray (1970, 1981, 1987) proposed a behavioral motivation theory (Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, RST), which describes the Behavioral Activation/Approach System (BAS) and the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS). Some studies relate higher activation of BAS to positive affect, whereas BIS activation is linked to negative affect, particularly to high levels of anxiety and depression. Research data suggests that greater Trait Emotional Intelligence (TEI) influences optimal development of well-being and psychological adjustment, such as positive affective states. However, a recent study relates the motivational BIS/BAS systems with TEI, showing that high TEI is characterized by sensitivity to reward (BAS), and low TEI due to activation of the BIS system. The aim of this study was to explore how TEI may mediate the relationship between BIS/BAS sensitivity and positive and negative affect. Four-hundred and sixty-seven undergraduate students (385 females) were evaluated. TEI was evaluated with the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS). Affective states were measured with the Positive (PA) and Negative Affect (NA) Schedule, and BIS/BAS sensitivity was measured with The Sensitivity to Punishment (SP) and Sensitivity to Reward (SR) Questionnaire. The results reveal the influence of the two motivational systems on affective states, and show how this relationship is modified by and better explained through TEI. That is, a stronger approach to appetitive stimuli produces more positive affect, but a belief that one [does not] understand unpleasant emotions or that one analyzes them, or thinks that one cannot regulate or control emotions will reduce that positive state. Greater activation of inhibitory behaviors will produce greater negative affect, and this will increase when one perceives that one attends excessively to one's feelings or does not understand them or feels incapable of regulating them. Accordingly, although motivators could be a focus of interest for intervention, this study shows that the efficiency and profitability of these practical applications increases by adding TEI.

Psychopathological Correlates and Emotion Regulation as Mediators of Approach and Avoidance Motivation in a Chinese Military Sample

Background: Approach and avoidance motivation have been thoroughly studied in common mental disorders, which are prevalent in the military context. Approach/avoidance motivational dispositions underlie emotion responses and are thought to influence emotion dysregulation. However, studies on the mediating role of emotion regulation (ER) between motivational dispositions and mental disorders have been insufficient. We examined the psychopathological correlates of motivational dispositions and explored the mediating role of ER. Methods: The Behavioral Inhibition System and Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scales and measures of mood disorders (depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD) were administered to a nonclinical sample of 3,146 Chinese military service members. The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for Armymen (ERQ-A) (Chinese version) was used to measure ER styles. We examined the reliability and construct validity of the BIS/BAS scales. Approach/avoidance motivations were correlated with symptoms of mood disorders. Mediation analysis was conducted to confirm the mediating role of ER between motivation and mood disorders. Results: The results showed acceptable internal reliability and construct validity of the BIS/BAS scales. Gender (female), family status (single-parent family), and social relationships (having fewer good friends) were significant predictors of high BIS sensitivity. More years of education, an older age, being an only child and being in a single-parent family all significantly predicted high BAS sensitivity. The BIS/BAS scales were predictive of various DSM-V-based mental disorders (depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD). Immersion exacerbated the impact of BAS/BIS sensitivities on depressive/PTSD symptoms, while reinterpretation and talking out alleviated the impact of BAS/BIS sensitivities on these symptoms. Conclusions: Motivational dispositions have an impact on mood symptoms under specific conditions. ER strategies (immersion, reinterpretation, and talking out) were shown to be partial mediators between approach/avoidance motivation and mood disorders. These findings highlight the importance of ER in altering the impact of motivational dispositions on mood disorders and as a promising target of psychotherapies.

Should I stay or should I go? Approach/avoidance conflict and emotional functioning

Personality has long held a prevalent place in the pantheon of psychological research. In the last 40 years, neuropsychological models of personality have become a popular predictor of human behaviour and emotionality. With a particular focus on Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, this study investigated the interaction of high Behavioural Activation System (BAS) and Behavioural Inhibition System (BIS) as a predictor of emotional functioning. Participants (n = 499) recruited from the community completed an online survey composed of questions on demographic information, behavioural inhibition and activation, emotional instability and indices of depression, anxiety and mixed depression-anxiety. Consistent with our primary hypothesis, the interaction of high BAS × BIS predicted emotional instability using an observed variable path model. This was subsequently associated with depression, anxiety and mixed depression-anxiety symptoms. Future avenues for research using BIS/BAS monitoring in clinical practice and study limitations are discussed. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The predictive value of Approach and Avoidance tendencies on the onset and course of depression and anxiety disorders

BACKGROUND

Trait and automatic approach-avoidance (AA) tendencies are central concepts in research on affective disorders. We longitudinally examined the associations of trait and automatic AA tendencies with the risk of onset and chronicity of anxiety and depressive disorders.

METHODS

Participants were subdivided into those with (n = 766) versus without (n = 1,636) a current anxiety or depression diagnosis at baseline. Clinical diagnoses were reassessed after 2-year follow-up. Automatic AA tendencies in reaction to facial expressions were assessed using the Approach-Avoidance Task, whereas self-reported trait AA tendencies were assessed using the Behavioral Inhibition System and the Behavioral Activation System scales. Analyses were adjusted for socio-demographics (basic adjustment) and for severity and history of psychopathology (full adjustment).

RESULTS

Stronger trait avoidance tendencies predicted both increased risk of onset and increased risk of a chronic course of anxiety disorders after full adjustment (Odds ratio_onset  = 1.55, P < .001, and Odds ratio_chronicity  = 1.31, P = .03). The associations between stronger trait avoidance tendencies and increased risk of onset and chronicity of depressive disorders were no longer significant after full adjustment. In contrast, trait approach tendencies and automatic AA tendencies were not related to onset or chronicity of disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased trait avoidance tendencies are a risk factor for affective disorders in general, with possibly a slightly more pronounced role in anxiety than depressive disorders. This underlines the importance of addressing trait avoidance tendencies in both the treatment and aftercare of affective disorders.

Comprehensive self-control training benefits depressed college students: A six-month randomized controlled intervention trial

BACKGROUND

Depressive disorder was associated with dysfunctional self-regulation. The current study attempted to design and test a comprehensive self-control training (CSCT) program with an overall emphasis on behaviral activation in depressed Chinese college students.

METHODS

Participants included 74 students who had diagnosed with major depression, they were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: intervention group (n=37), and control group (n=37). The intervention participants received an eight-week CSCT and four-month follow-up consolidation program, as compared to the control group who received only pre-post-and-follow-up measurements. All participants measured Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-Ⅱ) and Self-control Scale (SCS) at three time points: baseline, post-training, and four-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The dropout rates were 6 (8.1%) in the intervention group and 3 (4.1%) in the control group at the end of six-month intervention. The general linear model repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that comparing with the control group, the intervention group participants had more increase in their trait self-control score, at the meantime, their depressive symptoms had significantly improved. Univariate and logistic regression analyses revealed that participants with milder baseline depressive symptoms were more likely to benefit from CSCT interventions; depression improvement was also associated with the number of sessions attended.

LIMITATIONS

The main limitation was related to the small sample size which consisted of college students who were relatively young and well educated.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study demonstrates that CSCT program could temporarily enhance self-control capacity as well as improve depressive symptoms; participants who are mildly to moderately depressed, and who could adhere to the training protocol are more likely to benefit from the intervention.

Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Systems, and Emotional Regulation in Individuals With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

Gray's Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory postulates two distinct neurophysiological systems that underlie thoughts, emotions, and behavior: the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and the Behavioral Approach System (BAS). Preliminary research suggests that both systems may play relevant roles in the adjustment of individuals with chronic pain. However, there is a lack of research on the extent to which emotional regulation (i.e., cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) mediates the associations between BIS and BAS activation and emotional responses in individuals with chronic pain. The aim of this study was to test a model of the associations between the BIS and BAS, cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression, and positive and negative affect in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. In total, 516 participants were interviewed. Structural Equation Modeling was used to estimate the associations between variables. The empirical model showed a good fit to the data (χ²/df = 1.95; RMSEA = 0.04; GFI = 0.99; AGFI = 0.98; CFI = 0.99). The hypothesized model received partial support. The BIS was associated with cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression; cognitive reappraisal was associated with negative and positive affect; expressive suppression was positively associated with affect; and the BAS was not associated with the emotional regulation strategies assessed. However, the BIS and BAS were both directly associated with negative and positive affect. The results suggest that individuals with chronic pain with higher BIS activation appear to use greater expressive suppression. Cognitive reappraisal strongly mediated the BIS-negative affect association. The results also suggest that BAS activation may have a weak or inconsistent association with emotional regulation approaches in individuals with chronic pain. These data provide new and relevant information on the potential role of the BIS and BAS as predictors of psychological functioning in individuals with chronic pain. They suggest that the BIS-BAS model of chronic pain may need to be modified to take into account the potential negative effects of BAS activation. The findings suggest that treatments for emotional regulation could potentially reduce the negative impact of chronic pain via BIS.

Behavioral inhibition, maladaptive pain cognitions, and function in patients with chronic pain

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Trait behavioral inhibition represents a tendency to react with negative emotions - primarily worry - to cues which signal potential threats. This tendency has been hypothesized by a two-factor model of chronic pain to have direct effects on psychological and physical function in individuals with chronic pain, as well as to influence the associations between pain-related maladaptive cognitions and function. Our aim was to test these hypothesized associations in a sample of individuals who were being screened for possible interdisciplinary chronic pain treatment.

METHODS

Eighty-eight patients referred to an interdisciplinary chronic pain management program were administered measures of average pain intensity, trait behavioral inhibition, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, depressive symptoms, and pain interference. We then performed two linear regression analyses to evaluate the direct effects of trait behavioral inhibition on depressive symptoms and pain interference and the extent to which behavioral inhibition moderated the associations between kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing, and the criterion variables.

RESULTS

In partial support of the study hypotheses, the results showed significant (and independent) direct effects of trait behavioral inhibition on depressive symptoms, and behavioral inhibition moderated the association between kinesiophobia and depression, such that there were stronger associations between kinesiophobia and depressive symptoms in those with higher dispositional sensitivity to fear-inducing stimuli. However, neither direct nor moderating effects of behavioral inhibition emerged in the prediction of pain interference.

CONCLUSIONS

If replicated in additional studies, the findings would indicate that chronic pain treatments which target both reductions in maladaptive cognitions (to decrease the direct negative effects of these on depressive symptoms) and the individual's tendency to respond to pain with worry (as a way to buffer the potential effects of maladaptive cognitions on depressive symptoms) might be more effective than treatments that targeted only one of these factors.

IMPLICATIONS

Additional research is needed to further evaluate the direct and moderating effects of pain-related behavioral inhibition on function, as well as the extent to which treatments which target behavioral inhibition responses provide benefits to individuals with chronic pain.

Matching Message Design and Depressed Cognition: An Exploration of Attention Patterns for Gain- and Loss-Framed Depression Help-Seeking Messages

Although disproportionally affected by depression, most depressed college students do not seek the help they need. Research has recently uncovered the potential negative effects of depression help-seeking messages if depressed cognition is not considered in the health message design process. It is unclear if depression determines whether and how individuals pay attention to gain- and loss-framed depression help-seeking messages-a mechanism that has significant implications for the strategic planning of health communication interventions. In order to enable the effective matching of message design and audience features, this study investigated attention patterns for gain (n = 75)- and loss (n = 78)-framed depression help-seeking messages using eye-tracking technology and self-report measures. The results confirmed that depression is a characteristic of risk avoidance and negative cognition. Depressed participants tended to pay more attention to disease information that was placed in a loss-framed rather than a gain-framed depression help-seeking message. Using negative message framing strategies for health messages seeking to educate about depression symptoms might therefore be a useful persuasive strategy-particularly when disseminated to vulnerable populations affected by depression. Furthermore, the present study emphasizes the effective use of eye-tracking technology in communication research.

The mediating effects of cognitive emotion regulation strategies on the relationship between alexithymia and physical symptoms: Evidence from Iranian asthmatic patients

Asthma is a chronic and episodic psychosomatic disease whose symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERS) as mediators on the relationships between alexithymia subscales and physical symptoms (PS). 300 asthmatic patients (males=42.7%, females=57.3%, age _range=16-65, mean _age=29.40) and 100 normal controls participated in the study and completed the demographic questionnaire, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), the Persian version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (FTAS-20), and the Powell & Enright Physical Symptoms Inventory (PSI). Asthmatic patients showed higher scores on all three alexithymia subscales including difficulty in identifying feelings (DIF), difficulty in describing feelings (DDF), and externally oriented thinking (EOT) as well as non-adaptive CERS than normal controls. On the other hand, normal controls earned higher means in adaptive CERS. Results revealed that each of the three alexithymia subscales had indirect effects on PS through the non-adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategy of catastrophizing. It is concluded that alexithymia can intensify PS through catastrophizing in asthmatic patients.

The role of emotions in depression and aggression

Background

Depression is a broad and heterogeneous diagnostic grouping, central to which is depressed mood or inability to enjoy most activities. Depressive symptoms are frequently accompanied by conduct problems stemming from anger. It is very important to know the interrelation of these emotions very well to be able to help adolescents to manage them more easily. The main aim of this article is to present the problem of interaction between negative affects (emotional instability, anger state and trait, physical and verbal aggression and depression) analyzing the different relationship through the time in spanish sample.

Material and Methods

The sample included 470 adolescents (192 boys and 225 girls) in a three-wave longitudinal study in Valencia (Spain). The mean age was 14.70 in the first wave. Structural equations modelling was employed to explore two longitudinal models.

Results

The results show differences based on sex, and that an internalised variable, like emotional instability, is relevant to prevent the appearance of depression directly in girls and also the later appearance of aggression as long as anger mediates, in both boys and girls, so the control of anger becomes an important goal to control the rest of the negative affects.

Conclusions

This results has consequences in the preparation of all programmes that try to establish an emotional control on adolescents, as not only has to be taken into account as a direct goal the control of externalised emotions like anger, but internalised emotions like emotional instability have to be taken into account also. Furthermore, it is also made apparent that not only the punctual explosions and externalisation of anger have to be worked on, but the temperamental aspects which are the base of anger trait have to be worked on too.

Key words:Emotional instability, anger, depression, aggression, negative emotions, adolescence.