Executive Function Contributions to Emotion Regulation in the Relationship Between Stress and Psychopathology in Emerging Adulthood

摘要: Supervisory Committee Dr. Colette Smart (Department of Psychology) Supervisor Mauricio Garcia-Barrera Departmental Member Prevailing theories emotion regulation (ER) focus on the role various aspects cognition for successful one’s emotions. In particular, research suggests that executive functions (EF) may play an important in contributing to ER. Emerging adulthood can be a time high levels perceived stress associated with changing developmental roles, which risk factor psychopathology (e.g., depression, anxiety). is also during EF comes maturation both behaviorally and biologically. This prolonged period development ER maturity represent increased vulnerability young adults, deficits pose significant dysregulation future psychopathology. study aimed investigate whether EFs played emerging adults. More specifically, this examined (including, working memory, attentional control, inhibitory control) moderated indirect effect relationship between context adulthood. A sample 75 undergraduate students at University Victoria was recruited. Participants self reported symptoms. completed computerized task where they viewed aversive pictures sentences computer screen explicitly applied strategy reduce their negative emotions when viewing stimuli. Tests including Go/No-Go, Number-Letter N-Back were completed. Results iv revealed mediation did not hold sample. However, control Specifically, low memory cognitive reappraisal For same psychopathology, faster engagement response inhibition (i.e., reaction times) trending toward expressive suppression, by control. mediate symptoms across entire The results illuminate ways contribute Implications promoting informing therapeutic techniques used critical population are discussed.