Differences in emotion modulation using cognitive reappraisal in individuals with and without suicidal ideation: An ERP study

Abstract

Difficulties in emotion regulation have been associated with increased suicidal thoughts and behaviours. The majority of studies have examined self-reported use of emotion regulation strategies. In contrast, the current study focused on a direct measure of individuals’ ability to use a specific emotion regulation strategy, cognitive reappraisal, using the late positive potential (LPP), an event-related potential component that reflects attention to emotional stimuli. Specifically, the cognitive reappraisal ability of 33 undergraduate students was assessed via an image-viewing task during which the participants had to passively view, increase or reduce their emotions in response to looking at neutral, positive or dysphoric images. We found that participants with a history of suicidal ideation (SI) had significantly higher LPP when asked to reduce negative emotion in response to dysphoric images, compared to individuals with no history of SI. These findings suggest that difficulties with using cognitive reappraisal, specifically to decrease negative affect, might be linked to suicide risk.

Keywords:

• Emotion regulation
• Cognitive reappraisal
• Suicidal ideation
• Event-related potentials
• Late positive potential

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Samantha Birk, Katie Champagne, Samantha Fradkin, Eric Funk and Samantha Lowenkron for their help in conducting assessments for this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ The following IAPS images were used: dysphoric—2141, 2205, 2276, 2455, 2700, 2703, 2799, 2900, 3230, 9220, 9421 and 9530; positive—1340, 2091, 2165, 2208, 2224, 2299, 2339, 2340, 2501, 4599, 4700 and 8461; and neutral—2038, 2102, 2393, 2397, 2745, 2850, 5500, 5731, 7009, 7041, 7080 and 7185.