Are context-specific measures of positive emotion regulation more predictive of mania risk and mood symptoms than trait measures?

BACKGROUND: A number of strategies used to regulate positive affect (i.e. dampening and positive rumination) have been identified as having particular relevance to hypomanic personality (a proxy measure of mania risk). However, previous findings have been mixed and it is suggested that this may be the result of lack of consideration of the context in which emotion regulation (ER) is occurring. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate (a) if use of specific ER strategies predicts mood across social- and goal-related contexts, and (b) if the relationship between hypomanic personality and mood is moderated by greater use of ER strategies. METHOD: One hundred and seventy-four participants (mean age 20.77 years, SD = 2.2) completed an online survey assessing (i) hypomanic personality, (ii) self-reported tendencies to use ER strategies for positive emotion, (iii) tendencies to use these strategies in response to both high- and moderate-intensity positive affect in personally generated social- and goal-related contexts, and (iv) current affect. RESULTS: Trait use of ER strategies was more predictive of hypomanic personality and mood symptoms than context-specific measures; however, this relationship did not hold up for hypomanic personality and mood symptoms when accounting for current affect. Trait dampening was predictive of low mood symptoms but did not moderate the relationship between hypomanic personality and low mood. DISCUSSION: While trait measures of ER were more predictive of mania risk and mood symptoms than context-specific measures, further work is needed using experience sampling methods in order to capture the regulatory processes individuals are using in particular contexts, in real-time.

Emotion regulation strategies in mania risk: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Difficulties in emotion regulation may contribute to the development of mania. This review aimed to assess how emotion regulation strategies reported by individuals at risk of mania compare with clinical and nonclinical controls. METHODS: Search terms relating to mania risk and emotion regulation were entered into three databases. Sixteen studies were included. RESULTS: Mania risk was typically associated with overall endorsement of emotion regulation strategies, particularly dampening, and positive and negative rumination. CONCLUSIONS: Findings were limited by overall lack of evidence for individual strategies, lack of consideration of key mediating factors and reliance upon self-report designs.