Emotion regulation in anxiety : impact of information processing specificity
(2011)
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- Authors
- Supervisors
- Philippot, Pierre
- Abstract
- (en) It is well recognized in psychopathology that thinking in an abstract and general way characterizes numerous emotional disorders (for a summary, see Philippot, Neumann, & Vrielynck, 2007). This general and abstract mode of thinking is a subtle form of emotional avoidance and is not adaptive in the long term. The aim of the present thesis is then to investigate how the mode of information processing in emotional situations impacts on the intensity of emotion. More precisely, we hypothesize that a specific mode of information processing generates better emotional outcome than a general mode of processing in anxious individuals. This hypothesis was recently demonstrated in non-clinical populations (e.g., Neumann & Philippot, 2006). Seven studies were performed with socially anxious or traumatized populations. Practically, the type of cognitive processing was manipulated either during the re-evocation of a past emotional memory, either during the anticipation of a stressful situation. In addition, the two last studies investigated the impact of the type of information processed (contextual versus emotional) on emotional intensity. Results showed that the specific processing mode generated better emotional outcome than the general mode. Furthermore, a specific mode applied to emotional elements (as opposed to contextual features) decreased the frequency of avoidant behaviour in socially anxious participants. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed, as well as future perspectives.
- Affiliations
Citations
Vrielynck, N. (2011). Emotion regulation in anxiety : impact of information processing specificity. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/66345