Attentional control, attentional network functioning, and emotion regulation styles

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.

Keywords:

• Attentional control
• Attentional network functioning
• Attentional Network Test
• Emotion regulation
• Anxiety

We thank professor Juan Lupiáñez for providing us with the Attentional Network Test for Interactions (ANT-I) and Blanca Aguayo-Siquier for her assistance in the recruitment of participants and data collection.

This research was supported by the Spanish Government [grant number PSI2009-12711].

We thank professor Juan Lupiáñez for providing us with the Attentional Network Test for Interactions (ANT-I) and Blanca Aguayo-Siquier for her assistance in the recruitment of participants and data collection.

This research was supported by the Spanish Government [grant number PSI2009-12711].