Using neutral and emotional faces as stimuli, the Emotional Continuous Performance Task (EMO-CPT) was designed to measure both “cold” and “hot” executive functions. It was predicted that neutral stimuli would be associated with “cold” circuit functions such as sustained attention and response speed, while emotionally-laden EMO-CPT stimuli would be associated with “hot” circuit functions such as emotional judgement and response inhibition. Twenty-one male and 56 female university students (M = 21.57 years; SD = 3.15) completed the EMO-CPT, Counting Stroop (CS), Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), and a demographic survey. The EMO-CPT consisted of 240 trials counterbalanced into 8 separate blocks of neutral, happy, and angry faces, with 1500ms and 3000ms stimulus intervals. Principle axis factor analysis with orthogonal (varimax) rotation revealed “Sustained/Speed” (SS; Eigenvalue = 4.26) and “Accuracy/Inhibition” (AI; Eigenvalue = 2.49) factors accounting for 48.75% of the total variance. The SS factor was modestly correlated with the BRIEF Metacognitive Index (MI; r=.25), and both the Sustained/Speed factor (r=.27) and the Accuracy/Inhibition factor (r=.25) were modestly correlated with the BRIEF Behavioural Regulation Index (BRI). As predicted, “cold” Counting Stroop reaction time variables were related to the Sustained/Speed factor (r’s .30 to .36), and the “hot” BART adjusted inflations SD were related to the Accuracy/Inhibition factor (r = -.22). Correlated with the CS and BRIEF MI, the Sustained/Speed factor appeared to tap “cold” dorsal circuit functions, while the Accuracy/Inhibition factor appeared to be related to “hot” ventral circuit functions. / Graduate

Mindfulness, som ett akademiskt begrepp, har ökat i popularitet och betydelse på senaretid, och av intresse är, mer specifikt, det ökade stödet för dess samband med anknytningsteorisom har observerats. Detta motiverar djupare inblick i vad som beskriver och förklarar dettasamband ytterligare. Studien syftade till att undersöka förklaringar av sambandet mellananknytning och mindfulness. Medierande analyser inom området är få till antalet, dock hartidigare studier påvisat att emotionsreglering utverkar en medierande effekt mellananknytning och mindfulness. Litteraturen ger även anledning att undersöka ifall sambandetmellan anknytning och mindfulness är dubbelriktat. Således undersökte studien ävenmindfulness meta-mekanismen decentrering som medierande förklaring mellan mindfulnessoch anknytning. Totalt deltagarantal utgjordes av 53 kvinnor och 59 män som samtligabesvarade en standardiserad enkät, designad att mäta anknytning, mindfulness, emotionellreglering och decentrering. Resultatet bekräftar den medierande effekten av emotionsregleringmellan anknytning och mindfulness. Resultatet bekräftade även decentrerings medierande rolli sambandet mellan mindfulness och anknytning. Sammanfattningsvis understryksteoribildningens dubbelriktade förhållande samt diskussion av dess eventuella betydelse följerdärpå. / Mindfulness, seen as an academic term, have steadily been gaining more popularity latelyand, more specifically, an interest towards the increasing support for the correlation withattachment theory have been observed. This motivates a deeper understanding into thedescribing and explaining factors involved. The study set out to investigate the mediatingeffects of emotion regulation between attachment and mindfulness. Previous mediatinganalysis within this research area have, so far, been few, but earlier research has foundsupport for emotion regulation to mediate the effect between attachment and mindfulness. Theresearch literature also provide reason to further investigate if the correlation could be bidirectional,for this reason the study also investigate the mindfulness meta-mechanismdecentering as an proposed mediator between mindfulness and attachment. The total numberof participants comprised of 53 women and 59 men, which were asked to answer questionsdesigned to assess attachment anxiety and avoidance, mindfulness, emotion regulation anddecentering, using a standardized questionnaire. The results of the study confirm themediating effects of emotion regulation between attachment and mindfulness. The results alsofound support for the mediating effects of decentering between mindfulness and attachment.In conclusion, the suggested bi-directional nature of the relationship seems to be correct and adiscussion and implications of these findings follow.

A growing body of literature is focusing on the influence of personality and emotion regulation on psychological health. Using archival data from an expressive writing project, the current study investigated the relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and emotion regulation, and the influence of the interaction of these variables on psychological health among trauma survivors. The results indicate that both perfectionistic self-presentation and more difficulties in emotion regulation contribute to symptoms of distress. As well, higher levels of perfectionistic self-presentation were associated with more difficulties in emotion regulation. Further, emotion regulation mediated the relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and psychological distress but not common physical complaints. More specifically, the non-acceptance subscale of emotion regulation was found to be significant in a test of multiple mediator model.

Inledning: Ett psykiskt trauma kan ibland medföra utveckling av dissociativa symtom. Syfte: Studien undersökte vad som varit betydelsefullt för psykoterapeuten i det psykoterapeutiska arbetet med patienter med trauma och dissociation. Metod: En kvalitativ studie valdes. Fem legitimerade psykoterapeuter intervjuades, alla med lång erfarenhet av traumaterapi och psykodynamisk terapi. Resultat: I denna studie menar informanterna att trauma och dissociation är ett underskattat forskningsområde och betonar vikten av diagnosen, enkel PTSD och dissociativa störningar. Informanterna beskriver sina erfarenheter och svårigheter av att arbeta med traumatiserade och dissocierade patienter.  Den terapeutiska ramen står för trygghet och stabilitet men också gränssättning i det terapeutiska kontraktet. Informanterna indelar det psykoterapeutiska arbetet i 3 faser: Stabilisering, bearbetning och integrering. I terapeutrollen belyser Informanterna att det är särskilt viktigt med egenvård, kompetensutveckling, handledning och andra stödfunktioner vid arbete med patienter med trauma och dissociation.  Informanterna beskriver hur de påverkas starkt känslomässigt och kroppsligt i sitt terapeutiska arbete. Traumatisk överföring och motöverföring betonas som en viktig del som informationskälla för att kunna föra processen framåt vid traumabehandling. Slutsatser: Framgångfaktorer vid traumabehandling är att blanda olika teorier och tekniker som anknytningsteori och terapier som i, EMDR, hypnos och symboldrama men även kroppsterapi som integreras med psykoterapi. Psykoterapeutens roll har stor betydelse för att föra fram arbetsprocessen. Kroppsliga och starka överföringar och motöverföringar sker i mötet med dessa patienter, de tar ofta med sig skräckupplevelser in i terapirummet som måste härbärgeras av psykoterapeuten.

Traumatic incidences happen all around the globe. Some of the people who experience trauma develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while some do not. Even more interesting is that some also experience growth afterwards (post-traumatic growth; PTG). The purpose of this paper is to look at neural aspects of why some people develop PTSD and others PTG after a traumatic event. To fulfill the aim, both PTSD and PTG will be reviewed to create an image of the existing research in behavioral and neurological terms. In addition to looking at the constructs separately, a chapter will also look at studies where both PTSD and PTG are acknowledged collaterally in participants. When looking deeper into the theories of PTSD divisions occur, and more research is needed to establish the most prominent explanation of PTSD. PTG on the other hand has only been studied for a short period of time but yields important insights into trauma-related outcomes. These fields need to be submerged and new multidisciplinary definitions are needed for future research. The key to PTSD is suggested to emerge within the new field.

The thesis is focused on repressive coping style and self-reports of the anger. In the theoretical part are elaborated chapters concerning the definition of emotion, emotion regulation, coping and repressive coping style. The Repressors are characterized by unconscious denial of their own anxiety and self-image distortion within the low susceptibility to negative emotions. The research study focuses on the expression of anger by repressors and their comparison with other groups. Respondents (n=122) were divided into four groups using conventional questionnaires (STAI, MCSD): repressors (n=26), high-anxious (n=16), defensive high-anxious (n=47) and low-anxious (n=33). The aim of the study was find out differences in the expression of anger and trait anger. The hypotheses were partly supported, as the results in the expression of anger and trait anger pointed to differences between repressors and low-anxious and partly supported among other groups. The present study shows that repressors distort even other socially censored emotions, in this case anger.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar se o treino de meditação da atenção focada promoveria melhoras em variáveis emocionais e cognitivas. Foram realizadas duas intervenções de diferentes durações, as quais foram avaliadas antes e depois através de um paradigma experimental que permitiu analisar a interferência emocional e o controle cognitivo, assim como de medidas de autorrelato avaliando variáveis de ansiedade, afeto, dificuldades de regulação emocional e atenção concentrada. A primeira intervenção compreendeu um ensaio randomizado de seis semanas, com encontros semanais e com dois grupos controle - relaxamento progressivo e lista de espera. A segunda compreendeu um ensaio de cinco dias consecutivos, com apenas um grupo controle de lista de espera. Os resultados de ambas intervenções indicaram que a meditação da atenção focada pode ajudar na modulação da interferência emocional, no controle cognitivo, assim como na melhora de aspectos emocionais, tal como redução de ansiedade e afeto negativo, e melhora na atenção concentrada. Além disso, estes resultados foram superiores àqueles observados nos grupos controle. Ressalta-se que apesar de complementares, os achados da intervenção mais curta foram menos robustos, indicando que um treino curto já pode produzir mudanças, mas que estas ganham maior magnitude à medida que o tempo de prática aumenta. Discute-se o papel da interrelação entre as variáveis investigadas para a regulação emocional, sugerindo-se que a meditação pode ser caracterizada como um tipo particular de estratégia regulatória. / The present work aimed to evaluate whether a focused attention meditation training would promote enhancements in emotional and cognitive variables. Two interventions with distinct durations were carried out, which were evaluated before and afterwards through an experimental paradigm that allowed the analysis of emotion intereference and cognitive control, as well self-report measures assessing variables such as anxiety, affect, difficulties in emotion regulation, and concentrated attention. The first intervention comprised of a six-week randomized trial, with weekly meetings and two control groups - progressive relaxation and wait list control. The second comprised a five-consecutive-day randomized trial, with only a wait list control group. Results from both interventions indicated that focused attention meditation can help modulating emotion interference, enhance cognitive control, as well as improve emotional aspects, such as reducing anxiety, negative affect, and increasing concentrated attention. In addition, these findings were superior to those observed in the control groups. We highlight that despite being complementary, the results from the short intervention were less robust, indicating that a short-term training can already promote some changes, but that the extent of their magnitude seems to be related to the amount of practice. We discuss the role of the interrelationship between the investigated variables for emotion regulation, suggesting that meditation can be considered a particular type of regulatory strategy.

xiv, 152 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Young children in foster care have been exposed to a variety of risks that are strongly linked to long-term deficits in functioning across multiple developmental domains. Some children, however, demonstrate more favorable outcomes and exhibit adaptation and the development of assets in spite of risks. The present study examined variables from early childhood during foster care which contributed to the development of favorable outcomes; specifically, emotion regulation and school adjustment in later childhood. Specifically, maltreatment history, placement history, parenting practices, family stress, developmental status, and attachment behaviors among a sample of young foster children were examined. Data were taken from an existing data set from the Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care-Preschool study implemented through the Oregon Social Learning Center. From the original n of 60 children in regular foster care, 34 remained in the sample during middle childhood assessments; this comprised the sample used for this study. In terms of predicting emotion regulation in middle childhood, lack of family stress and attention and executive function in early childhood revealed significant relationships. In regards to predicting school adjustment in middle childhood, sensorimotor function and history of neglect during early childhood revealed significant relationships. / Committee in charge: Kenneth Merrell, Chairperson, Special Education and Clinical Sciences; Jeffrey Sprague, Member, Special Education and Clinical Sciences; Jane Squires, Member, Special Education and Clinical Sciences; Philip Fisher, Member, Psychology; Jennifer Ablow, Outside Member, Psychology

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) likely involves fundamental alterations in self-regulation. These problems typically have been viewed as involving disruptions in the regulation of cognition and behavior. However, they also have been hypothesized to involve disruptions in emotion regulation. If so, parenting behaviors may take on renewed importance in ADHD, because parents play an essential role in children developing the ability to regulate their emotions independently. Three studies examined the association between emotion regulation and ADHD. Study 1 examined autonomic nervous system functioning during the experience and regulation of both positive and negative emotions. Study 2 examined coherence among autonomic and behavioral emotional systems. Finally, Study 3 examined the roles of parenting behavior, parental expressed emotion, and child autonomic nervous system functioning. In Studies 1 and 2, participants with ADHD and typically developing youth aged 7 to 11 years old completed an emotion induction and suppression procedure. For Study 3, participants completed a parent-child interaction task coded for parental behavior, and parents completed a five-minute speech sample coded for expressed emotion. Electrocardiogram and impedance cardiography were monitored for children across all three studies. The following results were notable. In Study 1, children with ADHD showed atypical autonomic inflexibility (i.e., elevated parasympathetic and sympathetic responding across task conditions). Additionally, children with ADHD were divided according to levels of prosocial behavior. Unlike other children with ADHD, children with very low levels of prosocial behavior displayed blunted autonomic activity across task conditions. In Study 2, specific patterns of reduced coherence among emotion regulatory systems (i.e., facial affective behavior and autonomic nervous system reactivity) were observed among children with ADHD. Finally, in Study 3, high levels of parental expressed emotion were associated uniquely with ADHD, even after controlling for comorbid symptoms. In contrast, parental intrusiveness was associated uniquely with child oppositional defiant and low prosocial behavior, even after controlling for ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, specific, different patterns of autonomic reactivity during the parent-child interaction were associated with ADHD and oppositional defiant behaviors. Across these studies, it is concluded that intrinsic and extrinsic emotion and emotion regulatory systems are disrupted among children with ADHD.

Background: It is widely understood that survivors of childhood trauma (emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional, physical neglect) have poorer mental health outcomes than their non-abused counterparts; one of which is an increased risk of suicidality. The disclosure of childhood abuse is key to safeguarding against further victimization and promoting better psychosocial outcomes for survivors in the long-term. Aims: The aims of this thesis portfolio are twofold. Firstly, to review the published literature investigating the barriers and facilitators to disclosing sexual abuse as perceived by children and adolescents (Chapter 1). Secondly, to research the relationship between childhood trauma and suicidality in a cohort of socio-economically deprived men living in Scotland (Chapter 3). The bridging chapter (Chapter 2) discusses the main themes that connect chapters one and three, notably the possible negative impact of childhood trauma on adult psychosocial functioning. Method: An exploratory systematic review and meta-synthesis of the literature was carried out. Strict eligibility criteria were predefined and a comprehensive search strategy identified a total of thirteen studies for review. For the empirical study, a total of 86 adult men with past and/or present suicidality participated in a quantitative cohort study and completed measures on childhood trauma, emotion regulation, interpersonal difficulties and suicidal behaviour. Multiple mediation analysis was used to analyse the data and to answer the study’s research questions. Results: The exploratory review highlighted that existing research into child and adolescent disclosures of sexual abuse is still in its infancy and that robust, longitudinal studies with more sophisticated methodologies are required to replicate findings. The collective body of literature identified that limited support, perceived negative consequences and feelings of self-blame, shame and guilt serve as significant barriers to disclosure whilst being asked or prompted through the provision of developmentally appropriate information facilitates young people to tell. The empirical study found that emotion regulation and interpersonal difficulties mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and suicidality in a sample of adult men. Conclusion: Several important clinical implications were identified in both parts of the thesis portfolio. Firstly, the systematic review identified the need for family members, friends and frontline professionals to explicitly ask children about the possibility of sexual abuse. It was also considered imperative that recipients are supported in responding to disclosures in positive and supportive ways so as to reduce young peoples’ feelings of responsibility, self-blame, shame and guilt. The empirical study concluded that dysfunctional emotion regulation and interpersonal difficulties are implicated in the overall collateral and compounding psychosocial sequelae of childhood trauma. The provision of psychological interventions for men with past and/or present suicidality should support individuals to develop healthy social problem-solving and emotion regulation skills. Providing effective, trauma-informed interventions for these individuals will move their treatment beyond simple risk management and focus, instead, on instilling recovery and resilience.