The present project aims to broaden our understanding of neural mechanisms which may underlie change in symptoms occurring over the course of Emotion Regulation Therapy. Specifically, we aim to examine neural changes as a result of either an 8-session or 16-session version of the treatment.
This study aims to examine the utility of Emotion Regulation Training (ERT) in reducing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression in young adults aged 18 to 29 years old. Additionally, we are interested in assessing neural, cardiac, and immunological changes associated with psychological symptom reduction in these individuals. Lastly, we are interested in examining whether an abbreviated 8-session version of ERT produces similar results to a longer (16-session) version of ERT.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
72
Emotion Regulation Therapy will be administered over 8 individual sessions on a weekly basis, resulting in a total required time commitment of 9 hours over the course of 8 weeks. The initial stage of treatment focuses on psychoeducation about anxiety and depression, individual patterns of these behaviors, emotions in recent situations, and self-monitoring of worry, anxiety, and depression. The sessions focus on the development of skills that help regulate one's emotional experience (i.e., recognizing emotions when they are happening, identifying the meaning of a given emotion experience, and soothing oneself in the context of negative emotional experiences). Following the development of these skills, sessions focus on the application of somatic awareness and emotion regulation skills while imagining emotionally evocative themes. The remaining sessions focus on terminating therapy, relapse prevention, and future goals.
Emotion Regulation Therapy will be administered over 16 individual sessions on a weekly basis, resulting in a total required time commitment of 18 hours over the course of 16 weeks. The initial stage of treatment focuses on psychoeducation about anxiety and depression, individual patterns of these behaviors, emotions in recent situations, and self-monitoring of worry, anxiety, and depression. The sessions focus on the development of skills that help regulate one's emotional experience (i.e., recognizing emotions when they are happening, identifying the meaning of a given emotion experience, and soothing oneself in the context of negative emotional experiences). Following the development of these skills, sessions focus on the application of somatic awareness and emotion regulation skills while imagining emotionally evocative themes. The remaining sessions focus on terminating therapy, relapse prevention, and future goals.
Teachers College, Columbia University
New York, New York, United States
Changes in Worry
Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)
Time frame: Pre-Treatment, Mid-Treatment (either 4- or 8- weeks after starting treatment), Post-Treatment (either 8- or 16- weeks after starting treatment), Weekly for 8- or 16-weeks (depending on version), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up
Changes in Rumination
Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire (RRQ)
Time frame: Pre-Treatment, Mid-Treatment (either 4- or 8- weeks after starting treatment), Post-Treatment (either 8- or 16- weeks after starting treatment), Weekly for 8- or 16-weeks (depending on version), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up
Changes in Functional Impairment
Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS)
Time frame: Pre-Treatment, Mid-Treatment (either 4- or 8- weeks after starting treatment), Post-Treatment (either 8- or 16- weeks after starting treatment), Weekly for 8- or 16-weeks (depending on version), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up
Changes in Life Satisfaction
Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI)
Time frame: Pre-Treatment, Mid-Treatment (either 4- or 8- weeks after starting treatment), Post-Treatment (either 8- or 16- weeks after starting treatment), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up
Changes in Diagnostic Criteria, Severity, and Improvement
Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR; Clinical Severity Ratings from Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule, Lifetime version for DSM-IV
Time frame: Pre-Treatment, Mid-Treatment (either 4- or 8- weeks after starting treatment), Post-Treatment (either 8- or 16- weeks after starting treatment), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Changes in Anxiety and Depression
Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire (MASQ)
Time frame: Pre-Treatment, Mid-Treatment (either 4- or 8- weeks after starting treatment), Post-Treatment (either 8- or 16- weeks after starting treatment), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up
Model-Related Changes: Attention Regulation
Attentional Control Scale (ACS)
Time frame: Pre-Treatment, Mid-Treatment (either 4- or 8- weeks after starting treatment), Post-Treatment (either 8- or 16- weeks after starting treatment), Weekly for 8- or 16-weeks (depending on version), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up
Model-Related Changes: Metacognitive Regulation
Experiences Questionnaire (EQ); Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Reappraisal (ERQ)
Time frame: Pre-Treatment, Mid-Treatment (either 4- or 8- weeks after starting treatment), Post-Treatment (either 8- or 16- weeks after starting treatment), Weekly for 8- or 16-weeks (depending on version), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up