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Lionetti F, Pluess M. The role of environmental sensitivity in the experience and processing of emotions: implications for well-being. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230244. [PMID: 39005030 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Several theories suggest that people differ significantly in their environmental sensitivity, defined as the capacity to perceive and process information about the environment. More sensitive people, who make up between 25% and 30% of the population, are not only more negatively affected by adverse experiences but also benefit disproportionately from positive ones, in line with differential susceptibility theory. Heightened emotional reactivity has been identified as one of the key markers of sensitivity. However, the current understanding of the relationship between sensitivity and the experience and processing of emotions remains limited. In the current paper we propose a new conceptual framework for the multiple ways in which environmental sensitivity may impact on different aspects of the experience and processing of emotions. This includes heightened perception of emotions, increased emotional reactivity, as well as the important role of emotion regulation for the well-being of highly sensitive people. In addition, we also consider rearing experiences in shaping sensitivity and emotion regulation. The reviewed empirical studies largely support the conceptual model but more research is needed to explore the dynamics between sensitivity and emotions further. Finally, we discuss several implications for well-being before making a case for the inclusion of individual differences in environmental sensitivity in affective science. This article is part of the theme issue 'Sensing and feeling: an integrative approach to sensory processing and emotional experience'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Lionetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Michael Pluess
- Department of Psychological Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
- Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University, London, E1 4NS, UK
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Clarici A, Bulfon M, Radin Y, Panksepp J. Neuromodulation of safety and surprise in the early stages of infant development: affective homeostatic regulation in bodily and mental functions. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1395247. [PMID: 38903479 PMCID: PMC11187996 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1395247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Developing a sense of internal safety and security depends mainly on others: numerous neuromodulators play a significant role in the homeostatic process, regulating the importance of proximity to a caregiver and experiencing feelings that enable us to regulate our interdependence with our conspecifics since birth. This array of neurofunctional structures have been called the SEPARATION DISTRESS system (now more commonly known as the PANIC/ GRIEF system). This emotional system is mainly involved in the production of depressive symptoms. The disruption of this essential emotional balance leads to the onset of feelings of panic followed by depression. We will focus on the neuropeptides that play a crucial role in social approach behavior in mammals, which enhance prosocial behavior and facilitate the consolidation of social bonds. We propose that most prosocial behaviors are regulated through the specific neuromodulators acting on salient intersubjective stimuli, reflecting an increased sense of inner confidence (safety) in social relationships. This review considers the neurofunctional link between the feelings that may ultimately be at the base of a sense of inner safety and the central neuromodulatory systems. This link may shed light on the clinical implications for the development of early mother-infant bonding and the depressive clinical consequences when this bond is disrupted, such as in post-partum depression, depressive feelings connected to, addiction, neurofunctional disorders, and psychological trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Clarici
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Cattinara Hospital, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Bulfon
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Yvonne Radin
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste, Italy
| | - Jaak Panksepp
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
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Sperati A, Acevedo BP, Dellagiulia A, Fasolo M, Spinelli M, D'Urso G, Lionetti F. The contribution of Sensory Processing Sensitivity and internalized attachment representations on emotion regulation competencies in school-age children. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1357808. [PMID: 38505360 PMCID: PMC10949720 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1357808] [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] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction As captured by the individual trait of Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), highly sensitive children perceive, process, and responds more strongly to stimuli. This increased sensitivity may make more demanding the process of regulating and managing emotions. Yet, developmental psychology literature also showed that other variables, as those related to the rearing environment, are likely to contribute to the process of regulating emotions. With the current contribution, we aim to bridge two lines of research, that of attachment studies and that of SPS, by investigating the additive and interactive contribution of SPS and internal working models of attachment representations on emotion regulation competencies in school-aged children. Method Participants were N = 118 Italian children (mean age: 6.5, SD = 0.58 years, and 51.8% female) with their mothers. Children's positive attachment representations were rated observationally through the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task procedure during an individual session at school. Mothers reported on children SPS trait and emotion regulation competencies completing the Highly Sensitive Child Scale-parent report and the Emotion Regulation Checklist. We performed and compared a series of main and interaction effect models. Results SPS was not directly associated with emotion regulation but it was significantly associated with positive attachment representations in predicting emotion regulation. Highly sensitive children showed poorer emotion regulation when the internalized representations were low in maternal warmth and responsiveness. When driven by sensitive and empathic attachment representation, highly sensitive children showed better emotion regulation than less-sensitive peers, suggesting a for better and for worse effect. Discussion Highly sensitive children are not only more vulnerable to adversities but also show better emotion regulation competencies when supported by positive internal working models of attachment relationships. Overall, findings shed light on the link between SPS and attachment and suggest that working for promoting secure attachment relationships in parent-child dyads may promote better emotion regulation competences, particularly in highly sensitive children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Sperati
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University of G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Bianca P Acevedo
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | | | - Mirco Fasolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University of G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Maria Spinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University of G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Giulio D'Urso
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University of G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Francesca Lionetti
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University of G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy
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Janshen A, Boelen PA, Schut HAW, Eisma MC. Do insecure attachment styles predict prolonged grief symptoms? Significant null findings. DEATH STUDIES 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38180083 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2023.2300063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Insecure attachment is proposed to be a risk factor in the development and persistence of severe grief. Although prior research demonstrates positive cross-sectional and longitudinal correlations between attachment styles and prolonged grief symptoms, controlled longitudinal analyses yield fewer convincing results. Therefore, we sought to further clarify the concurrent and longitudinal associations between these constructs. A sample of 225 bereaved Dutch adults (87% women; Mean age: 48.86 years) participated in a three-wave longitudinal survey including measures of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance at baseline and prolonged grief symptoms at baseline and 6- and 12-month follow-up. Attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were significantly positively correlated with prolonged grief symptoms at all time-points. However, multiple regressions, controlling for baseline symptoms, showed that attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, and their interaction did not predict residual change in prolonged grief symptoms. These findings cast doubt on the proposed role of insecure attachment styles in prolonged grief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Janshen
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul A Boelen
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
| | - Henk A W Schut
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten C Eisma
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Chau AKC, So SHW, Barkus E. The role of loneliness and negative schemas in the moment-to-moment dynamics between social anxiety and paranoia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20775. [PMID: 38008774 PMCID: PMC10679161 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47912-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Social anxiety and paranoia often co-occur and exacerbate each other. While loneliness and negative schemas contribute to the development of social anxiety and paranoia separately, their role in the development of the two symptoms co-occurring is rarely considered longitudinally. This study examined the moment-to-moment relationship between social anxiety and paranoia, as well as the effects of loneliness and negative schemas on both experiences individually and coincidingly. A total of 134 non-clinical young adults completed experience sampling assessments of momentary social anxiety, paranoia, and loneliness ten times per day for six consecutive days. Participants' negative-self and -other schemas were assessed with the Brief Core Schema Scale. Dynamic structural equation modelling revealed a bidirectional relationship between social anxiety and paranoia across moments. Loneliness preceded increases in both symptoms in the next moment. Higher negative-self schema was associated with a stronger link from paranoia to social anxiety; whereas higher negative-other schema was associated with a stronger link from social anxiety to paranoia. Our findings support the reciprocal relationship between social anxiety and paranoia. While loneliness contributes to the development of social anxiety and paranoia, negative self and other schemas appear to modify the relationships between the two symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anson Kai Chun Chau
- Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, New Territories, 3/F Wong Foo Yuan Building, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Suzanne Ho-Wai So
- Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, New Territories, 3/F Wong Foo Yuan Building, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Emma Barkus
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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Tammilehto J, Flykt M, Peltonen K, Kuppens P, Bosmans G, Lindblom J. Roles of recalled parenting experiences and effortful control in adult daily emotion regulation. Cogn Emot 2023; 37:795-817. [PMID: 37161353 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2023.2209711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Research suggests that both childhood experiences with one's parents and individual differences in effortful control contribute to adult emotion regulation (ER). However, it is unclear how they associate with specific ER processes. In this adult study, we examined the roles of recalled parenting experiences and effortful control in daily ER selection and implementation. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), we focused on ER strategies of reappraisal, suppression, and rumination. We hypothesized recalled parental warmth, rejection, and overcontrol to predict adult ER selection and effectiveness of ER implementation and effortful control to mediate these effects. One hundred twenty-two adults answered self-reported questionnaires on their childhood experiences with their parents and effortful control. In EMA, they reported ER and emotions seven times daily for seven days. Recalled parental warmth predicted less suppression and rumination, whereas recalled overcontrol, especially in fathers, predicted greater suppression and reappraisal. However, recalled parenting experiences did not predict the effectiveness of ER implementation, and no support was found for the mediating role of effortful control between recalled parenting experiences and ER. Our findings suggest that recalled parenting experiences may guide adult ER selection rather than shape ER implementation, and these links may be largely independent of their effortful control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaakko Tammilehto
- Faculty of Social Sciences / Psychology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Marjo Flykt
- Faculty of Social Sciences / Psychology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsi Peltonen
- INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Peter Kuppens
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Bosmans
- Clinical Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jallu Lindblom
- Faculty of Social Sciences / Psychology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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