Emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration: Independent dimensions of trait affect and associations with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms

Background: Individual differences in emotional reactivity and perseveration have recently been demonstrated to account for independent variance in trait positive and negative affect. We extend this research and investigate: 1) if individual differences in the tendency to experience intense emotions...

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Main Authors: Ripper, Chloe, Boyes, Mark, Clarke, Patrick, Hasking, Penelope
Format: Journal Article
Published: Pergamon Press 2018
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/61958
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author Ripper, Chloe
Boyes, Mark
Clarke, Patrick
Hasking, Penelope
author_facet Ripper, Chloe
Boyes, Mark
Clarke, Patrick
Hasking, Penelope
author_sort Ripper, Chloe
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: Individual differences in emotional reactivity and perseveration have recently been demonstrated to account for independent variance in trait positive and negative affect. We extend this research and investigate: 1) if individual differences in the tendency to experience intense emotions (emotional intensity) represent an additional dimension of trait positive and negative affect, and 2) if emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration are differentially associated with psychological distress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Method: Undergraduate students (n = 472) completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Emotional Reactivity Intensity and Perseveration Scale (ERIPS, adapted from the PANAS), the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and the Depression Anxiety and Stress scales (DASS). Results: Psychometric analyses confirmed the hypothesised structure of the ERIPS, with all subscales demonstrating excellent internal consistency. Correlations with the K10 established criterion validity. Emotional reactivity, intensity and perseveration accounted for unique variance in trait positive and negative affect scores and were differentially associated with psychological distress, depression, anxiety and stress scores. Conclusion: Findings provide a preliminary validation of the ERIPS and suggest emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration represent independent dimensions of trait affect. Future research investigating these dimensions could enhance understanding of normal emotional responding and emotional vulnerability.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-619582018-05-22T07:03:31Z Emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration: Independent dimensions of trait affect and associations with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms Ripper, Chloe Boyes, Mark Clarke, Patrick Hasking, Penelope Background: Individual differences in emotional reactivity and perseveration have recently been demonstrated to account for independent variance in trait positive and negative affect. We extend this research and investigate: 1) if individual differences in the tendency to experience intense emotions (emotional intensity) represent an additional dimension of trait positive and negative affect, and 2) if emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration are differentially associated with psychological distress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Method: Undergraduate students (n = 472) completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Emotional Reactivity Intensity and Perseveration Scale (ERIPS, adapted from the PANAS), the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and the Depression Anxiety and Stress scales (DASS). Results: Psychometric analyses confirmed the hypothesised structure of the ERIPS, with all subscales demonstrating excellent internal consistency. Correlations with the K10 established criterion validity. Emotional reactivity, intensity and perseveration accounted for unique variance in trait positive and negative affect scores and were differentially associated with psychological distress, depression, anxiety and stress scores. Conclusion: Findings provide a preliminary validation of the ERIPS and suggest emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration represent independent dimensions of trait affect. Future research investigating these dimensions could enhance understanding of normal emotional responding and emotional vulnerability. 2018 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/61958 10.1016/j.paid.2017.09.032 Pergamon Press restricted
spellingShingle Ripper, Chloe
Boyes, Mark
Clarke, Patrick
Hasking, Penelope
Emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration: Independent dimensions of trait affect and associations with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms
title Emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration: Independent dimensions of trait affect and associations with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms
title_full Emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration: Independent dimensions of trait affect and associations with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms
title_fullStr Emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration: Independent dimensions of trait affect and associations with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms
title_full_unstemmed Emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration: Independent dimensions of trait affect and associations with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms
title_short Emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration: Independent dimensions of trait affect and associations with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms
title_sort emotional reactivity, intensity, and perseveration: independent dimensions of trait affect and associations with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/61958