No description available.

Conspiracy theory beliefs have become ubiquitous within our society. One cannot partake in any form of media without confronting different conspiracy theories, such as beliefs that the Earth is flat, that birds are not real, that the moon landing was fake, or that vaccines cause autism spectrum disorder. Conspiracy theories are beliefs that revolve around false explanations of public and political events concerning a secret organization with malicious intent. What makes people vulnerable to conspiracy theory beliefs? Prior research indicates that people often adopt conspiracy beliefs in an attempt to reduce feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and threat. Unfortunately, prior research also suggests that conspiracy theory beliefs might not relieve these negative emotional states. As a result, one might conclude that conspiracy theory beliefs are misguided attempts to regulate one’s emotional state during times of anxiety and uncertainty. The goal for the current research was to gain a greater understanding of who may be more susceptible to conspiracy theory beliefs. As prior research has shown that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) often predict poorer emotion regulation, we wanted to explore whether ACEs may predict conspiracy theory beliefs as explained through emotion dysregulation. In this exploratory research, we recruited 719 participants online through Sona at East Tennessee State University (Mage= 19.98) and asked participants to complete two scales to measure conspiracy theory beliefs, the Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale (GCB) and the Conspiracy Mentality Scale (CM), as well as self-report measures of ACEs and emotion dysregulation. Results showed that ACEs did not directly predict conspiracy theory beliefs; however, when emotional dysregulation was included as a mediator, ACEs predicted conspiracy theory beliefs on both GCB and CM scales. This suggests that people who indicated experiencing more ACEs within the first 18 years of life tended to score higher in emotion dysregulation and will have more difficulty regulating their own emotions when it comes to social and environmental problems. Because of this, individuals who experienced more ACEs may rely on external factors and maladaptive coping strategies, such as conspiracy theory beliefs, to regulate their negative emotional states. Although ACE scores were not a direct determining factor in conspiracy theory beliefs, they can be used to reveal and better understand other maladaptive traits and the possibility of developing psychological disorders in the future. As this research was exploratory, future research will need to confirm these findings, ideally with a more diverse sample in age, race and educational background. Despite these limitations, the current study aids in our understanding about who may be more susceptible to engaging in conspiracy theory beliefs and can inform about possible interventions in the future.

Previous research has demonstrated an association between violence exposure and aggression; however, research exploring the association between violence exposure and the forms and functions of aggression is scarce. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between trauma exposure with both reactive and proactive functions of aggression by examining two potential mediators (e.g., psychopathic traits and emotional dysregulation). Participants included 132 male juvenile offenders mandated to treatment in a residential facility (M = 16.78 years old; SD = 1.25). Results indicate emotional dysregulation partially mediated the association between trauma exposure and reactive aggression while controlling for proactive aggression. However, no evidence was found to support the hypothesis that psychopathic traits mediated the association between trauma exposure and proactive aggression. Results suggest trauma exposure is important in the development of reactive aggression. Thus, treatment approaches for aggressive youth should address issues of trauma exposure.

No description available.

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Dificultades en la Regulación Emocional (DERS) de Gratz y Romer (2004). La muestra estuvo compuesta por 253 jóvenes (27.7% hombres y 72.3% mujeres) universitarios de carreras de ciencias de la salud con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y 25 años (M = 21.70, DE = 1.75). De dicha muestra, 120 jóvenes fueron encuestados de manera virtual y 133, fueron encuestados de forma presencial. En primer lugar, se analizó la validez basada en la estructura interna mediante el análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE) donde se obtuvo un KMO de .86 y una prueba de esfericidad de Bartlett que fue estadísticamente significativa (p < .001). Como resultado del AFE de la DERS se obtuvo 5 factores (Dificultades en la Regulación de Impulsos, Aceptación Emocional, Consciencia Emocional, Interferencia en Conductas y Claridad Emocional) de los 6 establecidos originalmente que explicaron el 44.96 % de la varianza. Respecto a las relaciones de convergencia con la Escala de Autorregulación Emocional, se encontró correlaciones no tan altas, aunque estadísticamente significativas entre las dimensiones. Respecto a la dimensión de reevaluación cognitiva se correlaciona negativa, baja e inversamente con dos dimensiones de la DERS (Dificultades en la regulación de impulsos y Falta de aceptación emocional). Asimismo, la dimensión de supresión emocional se correlaciona positiva, baja y directamente con una dimensión (Falta de conciencia emocional). En cuanta la confiabilidad los valores del alfa de Cronbach fueron aceptables (entre .72 y .86), así como los del coeficiente omega (entre .74 y .87). Finalmente, se concluye que la escala cuenta con adecuadas propiedades psicométricas para su uso en muestras similares. / The objective of this research was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS) by Gratz and Romer (2004). The sample consisted of 253 young people (27.7% men and 72.3% women) university health sciences aged between 18 and 25 years (M = 21.70, SD = 1.75). Of this sample, 120 young people were surveyed virtually and 133, were surveyed in person. First, the validity of the internal structure was analyzed by exploratory factor analysis (AFE), where a KMO of .86 was obtained and a Bartlett sphericity test was statistically significant (p <.001). As a result of the DIE of the DIE, we have obtained 5 factors (Difficulties in the Regulation of Impulses, Emotional Acceptance, Emotional Consciousness, Behavior Interference and Emotional Clarity) of the 6 elements that explain 44.96% of the variance. Regarding the relationships of convergence with the Emotional Self-Regulation Scale, there are correlations not so high, although statistically significant between the dimensions. Regarding the cognitive reassessment dimension, it correlates negatively, low and inversely with the dimensions of the DERS (Difficulties in the regulation of impulses and lack of emotional acceptance). Also, the dimension of emotional suppression correlates positively, lowly and directly with one dimension. In terms of reliability, the values of Cronbach's alpha were acceptable (between .72 and .86), as well as the omega coefficient (between .74 and .87). Finally, it is concluded that the scale has psychometric properties for its use in similar samples. / Tesis

Misophonia is a condition characterized by a strong physiological, emotional, and behaviouralresponse to specific auditory stimuli, which have a significant negative impact on the wellbeingof affected individuals. The present investigation focuses on emotional dysregulation, which arises due to the triggering of specific auditory stimuli. Individuals with misophoniastruggle to regulate their emotions when exposed to sounds, leading to emotional reactions, including anger, anxiety, disgust, avoidance behaviour, fight or flight, and feeling overwhelmed. These reactions might even lead to violent impulses directed towards the source of the sound. Despite its growing recognition, little is yet known about misophonia, and experts have not established any clear boundaries or criteria for the condition to be considered adisorder. As such, it is not yet included in any classification systems for disorders. The aim of this study is to understand how individuals with misophonia experience emotional dysregulation, how do they describe their experience, what is it like to live with misophonia ona day-to-day basis, and how do individuals understand and cope with emotional dysregulation caused by misophonia? The study utilized a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews as the data collection method. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns and themes within the data. Participants stated that misophonia causes significant distress and disruption impacting emotional well-being and daily functioning. Validation of this new condition can be very helpful and make a positive impact in their social circle, and that lack of awareness and effective treatment may hold back seeking professional help.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of pediatric bipolar disorder on child siblings. A quantitative quasi-experimental research design was used. According to family systems theory, which was used in the formation of this study, all family members are interconnected and affect each other in a variety of ways. The research questions investigated whether children demonstrated more emotional dysregulation and fewer adaptive skills when a bipolar sibling was living in the home than when there was no bipolar sibling. The matched comparison study used 2 groups of children: those with bipolar siblings and those without bipolar siblings. Parents completed the BASC-2 Parent Rating Scale in order to measure adaptive skills and emotional dysregulation in their non-bipolar children. Parents were recruited via social media parent support sites. Thirty-four families included in the study group had 1 bipolar child and at least 1 nonbipolar child living in the home; 31 families in the comparison group had no bipolar children. All children were under the age of 18, living together full time, had a biological or legal relationship, and did not have any other mental health diagnosis. A multivariate analysis of variance was used to test the hypotheses. The study found that children with bipolar siblings demonstrated significantly higher levels of emotional dysregulation (both externalization and internalization) than did children without bipolar siblings. There was no significant difference in reported adaptive skills between the 2 groups of children. This study has social change implications as it identifies the emotional needs of sibling children who are routinely overlooked as needing assistance. This study provides the groundwork for clinicians and educators working in the pediatric mental health field to begin exploring potential treatments and programs for siblings of bipolar children.

Emotional regulation is necessary to live psychologically and physically healthy. In this study I explored the associations between emotional regulation and two major constructs of cognitive sciences, time perspective and cognitive flexibility. For this purpose, I collected data online from different social media platforms. Eighty participants participated by filling in three questionnaires, Emotional regulation questionnaire, cognitive flexibility inventory and the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory. The age range of participants was between 18 to 50 years with varying educational and occupational backgrounds. The results revealed that cognitive flexibility has a significant positive relationship with emotional regulation and the Present Hedonistic subscale and Future subscales found correlated positively with emotional regulation. In Line with the predictions, linear regression analyses showed that cognitive flexibility predicts emotional regulation while an aggregated measures of deviations from a balanced time perspective (DBPT) did not predict emotional regulation. A mediation analysis also suggested that cognitive flexibility has no mediating role between DBTP and emotional regulation.

Succédant à une théorisation centrée sur le rôle des déficits des fonctions exécutives, les modèles contemporains du trouble déficit de l'attention / hyperactivité (TDAH) mettent en avant l’hétérogénéité d’une catégorie diagnostique impliquant des déficits neuropsychologiques, voies cérébrales et mécanismes étiopathogéniques multiples. En dépit de cette évolution, la majorité des études d'imagerie cérébrale des corrélats structurels du trouble menées à ce jour ont été conduites au niveau de la catégorie diagnostique, sans spécification supplémentaire. Cette approche comparant en moyenne un groupe de patients avec TDAH à un groupe de sujets sains a donné des résultats très variables d'une étude à l'autre, la comparaison inter-étude étant toutefois rendue difficile par la présence de facteurs confondants, tels que des différences en terme de régions d’intérêt examinées, de comorbidités acceptées chez les patients, de pourcentages de sujets masculins et féminins, de fenêtre d’âge sélectionnée, de méthodologie d'analyse ou encore de pourcentage de patients traités par méthylphénidate. Dans ce doctorat, nous nous sommes appuyés sur la morphométrie voxel-à-voxel pour isoler l’influence sur les volumes de matière grise de deux facteurs d’hétérogénéité intra-catégorielle dans le TDAH : le genre d’une part, et un polymorphisme génétique (Val158Met du gène Catéchol-O-méthyltransferase (COMT)) d’autre part ; ces deux facteurs présentant l’intérêt de moduler le risque associé de développer un trouble de type externalisé. Nous avons également comparé les volumes de matière grise d’enfants avec TDAH ayant reçu un traitement par méthylphénidate, de patients n'ayant jamais été exposé à la médication, et de sujet sains. Ces recherches expérimentales ont été inscrites dans une discussion plus générale de l’hétérogénéité des résultats de la littérature structurelle consacrée au TDAH et des sources neuropsychologiques de cette hétérogénéité. Dans notre étude des effets du genre sur les volumes de matière grise dans le TDAH, nous reportons pour la première fois une interaction entre genre et diagnostic, avec des corrélats structurels du trouble différents chez les garçons et les filles avec TDAH dans des régions de la ligne médiane du cerveau, impliquées à la fois dans la régulation émotionnelle et dans le fonctionnement du mode de réseau par défaut. Nous suggérons que ces différences structurelles pourraient contribuer aux différences de risque associé pour les troubles internalisés et externalisés présentées par les garçons et filles avec TDAH. Dans notre étude explorant l'influence du polymorphisme Val158Met sur les volumes de matière grise, nous mettons en évidence une modulation génétique des corrélats structurels du trouble : les sujets homozygotes pour l'allèle Val158, identifiés dans la littérature comme à risque pour le développement d'un trouble des conduites, présentent des volumes de matière grise supérieurs dans le noyau caudé comparativement aux sujets sains, tandis que les patients avec TDAH porteurs d'un allèle Met158 présentent des volumes de matière grise plus faibles dans le cortex préfrontal inférieur droit, une région cruciale pour les processus de contrôle attentionnel. Enfin, dans notre étude des corrélats structurels de l'exposition au méthylphénidate, nous reportons un effet potentiellement normalisateur du traitement sur les volumes de matière grise de l'insula et du pole temporal, des volumes de matière grise plus faibles chez les patients traités comparativement aux sujets sains dans le gyrus frontal moyen et dans le gyrus précentral, et une association entre volume de matière grise dans le nucleus accumbens gauche et durée d'exposition au méthylphénidate chez les sujets traités. (...) / Previous models of Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) such as Barkley’s or Brown’s conceptualized ADHD as essentially a developmental impairment of executive function. Against this view, it is now recognized that ADHD is a heterogeneous disorder, involving multiple deficits and multiple neuronal pathways. Despite this current theoretical framework, most structural brain imaging studies in ADHD have compared groups of children with ADHD with typically developing children, without trying to identify subgroups within the diagnostic category. This approach has yielded heterogeneous findings, possibly due to inter-studies variations in the type and number of comorbidities, the percentage of medicated participants included, the number of girls included, and/or methodological and statistical differences. Patients participating in these studies were also often exposed to methylphenidate, and potential medication effects on grey matter volumes are still unclear in certain brain regions such as the frontal lobe, despite a therapeutic action involving the preferential activation of catecholamine neurotransmission within the prefrontal cortex. In this thesis, we used voxel-based morphometry to study the influence of two important risk factors for the development of comorbid conditions in ADHD. The first of these two factors was gender, and the second a genetic polymorphism of the Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene known to put children with ADHD at risk for developing a conduct disorder (Val158Met). We also compared grey matter volumes in children with ADHD exposed to methylphenidate, never-medicated children with ADHD and typically developing children. These experimental studies were part of a more general discussion of ADHD neuropsychological and neurobiological heterogeneity. In our study exploring the influence of gender on the structural correlates of ADHD, we report for the first time a gender-by-diagnosis interaction, with grey matter volume differences in boys and girls with ADHD in midline cortical structures, involved in emotional regulation and part of the default mode network. We propose that these differences may contribute to explain why girls with ADHD more often develop inattentive and internalizing symptoms, whereas externalizing symptoms are predominant in boys with ADHD. In our study investigating the effects of Val158Met in ADHD, we report the first evidence of a COMT-related genetic modulation of ADHD-related grey matter volume alterations. Indeed, children with ADHD at higher risk for developing a conduct disorder (children homozygotes for the Val158 allele) presented increased grey matter volumes in the caudate nucleus when compared with typically developing children, whereas children carrying a Met158 allele presented with decreased grey matter volumes in the right inferior frontal cortex, a region known for its key role in attention. Finally, we measured grey matter volumes in medicated children with ADHD, never-medicated children with ADHD and typically developing children using both whole-brain voxel-based morphometry and automated tracing procedures in chosen regions of interest. We document potential methylphenidate-related grey matter volume normalization and deviation in previously unexplored frontal and temporal regions, and report a positive association between treatment history and grey matter volume in the nucleus accumbens, a key region for reward processing. Our first two experimental studies therefore contribute to a better understanding of the influence of important sources of within-category heterogeneity, while the third helps clarifying the potential confounding effect of medication exposure in previous structural brain imaging studies in ADHD.