Emotion generation and regulation following an intrusion induction: Implications for taboo or autogenous obsessions. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berman, Noah Chase; Hayaki, Jumi; Szkutak, Abigail
• Is Part Of: Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry. Volume 69(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Autogenous obsession -- Taboo obsession -- Emotion regulation -- Emotion generation -- OCD; Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2020.101593
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-7916

Abstract

Abstract: Background and objectives: Research demonstrates that autogenous (AO) and reactive obsessions (RO) differ in obsessional content; however, no experimental research has examined differences in emotion generation and regulation. Characterizing this taxonomy with respect to emotion generation and regulation could refine conceptualizations of obsessionality and optimize clinical interventions. Methods: Seventy undergraduates were randomly assigned to imagine a personally-relevant AO or RO. Subsequently, emotional reactivity was assessed. Participants then rated their emotion regulation efforts and the degree to which the intrusion violated their values. Results: Broadly aligning with expectations, bootstrapped linear regression models indicated that AOs led to a significant increase in self-conscious emotions (guilt, shame, and embarrassment), and these effects were stronger for those whose values were more severely threatened by the intrusion. A conditional process analysis revealed that the relationship between the AO condition and emotion regulation difficulties was explained by an increase in negative emotional reactivity, and the strength of this effect depended upon the degree of conflict with participants' values. Limitations: The use of an analogue sample, and minimal emotional reactivity in the RO condition, threaten the ecological and external validity of the study. Conclusions: The current study employed a novel experimental design demonstrating a meaningful relationship between AOs and both emotional activation and regulation. Results highlight the relevance of self-conscious emotions to the conceptualization of AOs and the utility of addressing them in the context of exposure therapy. Highlights: Seventy undergraduate students completed a standardized thought induction. Autogenous obsessions (AO) amplified self-conscious emotional reactivity. Degree of conflict with values moderated this causal relationship. Emotional reactivity mediated relationship between AOs and emotion dysregulation. Limitations include the ecological validity of the thought induction paradigm.