A preliminary investigation into whether attentional bias influences mood outcomes following emotional disclosure

Abstract

Background: There is considerable interest in factors which may influence the efficacy of emotional disclosure. To date, a range of demographic and psychological variables have been considered. However, consideration has not yet been given to cognitive factors known to influence emotional processing such as attentional bias (AB).

Purpose: We present the results from an exploratory study examining the role of AB in influencing mood outcomes following emotional disclosure.

Method: Individuals with negative and avoidant ABs (i.e., individuals vigilant for and individuals avoidant of negative emotional material, respectively) were identified by asking 105 individuals to complete a standardized AB task. Individuals in the bottom quartile of AB scores were categorized as having a negative AB and individuals in the top quartile were categorized as having an avoidant AB. These participants (n = 38) completed the emotional disclosure intervention and mood was assessed at 1, 4, and 8 weeks post-intervention.

Results: Negative AB individuals showed greater improvements in depression, anger, fatigue, and total mood disturbance. These results were unrelated to alexithymia.

Conclusion: These results provide preliminary support for the proposal that AB may influence the effects of emotional disclosure on mood.