Paper-2025
Mansueto, G., Palmieri, S., Salatini, L., Piccioni, S., Ruggiero, G. M., Sassaroli, S., Spada, M.M., & Caselli, G. (2025). Positive emotion dysregulation: A metacognitive perspective. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 32(4), e70109.
ABSTRACT Introduction: Using the metacognitive model of emotion dysregulation as a basis, this study explored whether metacognitive beliefs are associated with positive emotion dysregulation. Method: A total of 436 participants from the general population and 133 outpatients seeking psychological treatment were recruited. Positive emotion dysregulation, metacognitive beliefs, and affective symptoms were assessed. Tt test, chi-square test, correlation, and hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were run. Results: In the general population, over and above age, sex, and affective symptoms, a higher endorsement on positive beliefs about worry, negative beliefs about thoughts concerning uncontrollability and danger, and beliefs about the need to control thoughts were associated with a poor acceptance of positive emotions (F = 13.66, p < 0.001), with difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behavior (F = 9.06, p < 0.001), and with difficulties in controlling behaviors when experiencing positive emotions (F = 10.61, p < 0.001). In the clinical sample, over and above age, sex, and affective symptoms, a higher endorsement of negative beliefs about thoughts concerning uncontrollability and danger and lack of cognitive confidence were associated with difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behavior (F = 5.74, p < 0.001) and with difficulties in controlling behaviors when experiencing positive emotions (F = 6.54, p < 0.001). Outpatients seeking psychological treatment also reported more severe positive emotion dysregulation and higher endorsement of metacognitive beliefs when compared with the general population (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Positive emotion dysregulation appears to be associated with the tendency to endorse metacognitive beliefs. Metacognitive beliefs could be a potential therapeutic target for reducing difficulties in the regulation of positive emotions. Summary- Among participants from the general population, the tendency to endorse metacognitive beliefs is associated with greater positive emotion dysregulation.
- Among outpatients seeking psychological treatment, the tendency to endorse metacognitive beliefs is associated with greater positive emotion dysregulation.
- Assessing metacognitive beliefs may allow clinicians to gain a clearer understanding of treatment trajectories to reduce difficulties in the regulation of positive emotions.
- Metacognitive beliefs could be the potential therapeutic target to reduce positive emotion dysregulation.
- Metacognitive Therapy techniques could be suitable approaches to reduce positive emotion dysregulation.