Metacognitive Beliefs and Emotional Dysregulation Have a Specific Contribution on Worry and the Emotional Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Summary & key facts

This study measured 768 people and found that two different factors—negative metacognitive beliefs (how people think about their own thinking) and difficulties regulating emotions—are both linked to symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Metacognitive beliefs were especially related to worry, while emotion regulation problems were especially related to the emotional symptoms of GAD. Statistical tests showed metacognitive beliefs still related to worry and emotional symptoms even after accounting for emotion regulation, but the link from emotion regulation to worry disappeared when metacognitive beliefs were taken into account. The authors say both factors should be considered togeth

Key facts:

• The study sample included 768 participants (n = 768).
• Researchers used correlation analyses and structural equation modelling to examine links between variables.
• Metacognitive beliefs (negative beliefs about one’s thinking) had a strong correlation with worry measured in the study.
• Difficulties in emotion regulation showed a strong correlation with the emotional symptoms of GAD.
• When both factors were considered together, metacognitive beliefs remained significantly associated with both worry and emotional GAD symptoms, but the link between emotion dysregulation and worry became non-significant when metacognitive b

Topics

Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development Mental Health Research Topics

Categories

Experimental and Cognitive Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Anxiety Clinical psychology Cognition Dysfunctional family Emotional dysregulation Generalized anxiety disorder Metacognition Psychiatry Psychology Worry

Conditions & symptoms

Anxiety Anxiety or worry