Attentional control, attentional network functioning, and emotion regulation styles

Miquel Tortella-Feliu, Alfonso Morillas-Romero, Maria Balle, Xavier Bornas, Jordi Llabrés, Antonia P Pacheco-Unguetti

University Institute for Research on Health Sciences , University of the Balearic Islands

Cognition and Emotion (Impact Factor: 2.52). 12/2013; DOI:10.1080/02699931.2013.860889

ABSTRACT Attentional network functioning in emotionally neutral conditions and self-reported attentional control (AC) were analysed as predictors of the tendency to engage in dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies. Diminished attentional orienting predicted an increased tendency to engage in brooding rumination, and enhanced alertness predicted a greater chance of suppression, beyond trait anxiety and self-reported AC, which were not predictive of either rumination or suppression. This is the first study to show that some forms of dysfunctional emotion regulation are related to the attentional network functioning in emotionally neutral conditions. Results are discussed in relation to regulatory temperament and anxiety-related attentional biases literature.