Emotion regulation strategies in mania risk: A systematic review

Abstract

Objectives: Difficulties in emotion regulation may contribute to the development of mania. This review aimed to assess how emotion regulation strategies reported by individuals at risk of mania compare with clinical and nonclinical controls.

Methods: Search terms relating to mania risk and emotion regulation were entered into three databases. Sixteen studies were included.

Results: Mania risk was typically associated with overall endorsement of emotion regulation strategies, particularly dampening, and positive and negative rumination.

Conclusions: Findings were limited by overall lack of evidence for individual strategies, lack of consideration of key mediating factors and reliance upon self-report designs.

Keywords: dampening; emotion regulation; hypomania; mania risk; positive affect regulation; rumination.