The Emotion Regulation Mechanism in Neurotic Individuals: The Potential Role of Mindfulness and Cognitive Bias.
Ling Chen, Xiqin Liu, Xiangrun Weng, Mingzhu Huang, Yuhan Weng, Haoran Zeng, Yifan Li, Danna Zheng, Caiqi Chen
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health January 4, 2023 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20020896 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Two complementary studies: correlational survey with mediation analysis (Study 1) and behavioral experiments (Study 2) Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Individuals assessed for neuroticism levels (specific population not stated) |
| Measures | EPQ-RSC, FFMQ, CERQ, NCPBQ |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cognitive bias Emotion regulation Neuroticism |
| Key findings | Neuroticism was positively correlated with negative emotion regulation, and negative cognitive bias mediated the relationship between neuroticism and emotion regulation, with mindfulness and negative cognitive bias acting as a chain mediator. In behavioral experiments, individuals high in neuroticism showed negative attention, memory, and interpretation biases. The authors argue these results provide a rationale for using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for emotion regulation in neurotic individuals. |
Abstract
Neuroticism is a personality trait that impacts daily life and raises the risk of mental problems and physical illnesses. To understand the emotion regulation mechanism of neurotic individuals, we developed two complementary studies to examine the effects of mindfulness and negative cognitive bias. In Study 1, four scales (EPQ-RSC, FFMQ, CERQ, NCPBQ) were used for assessment. Correlation analysis and structural comparison showed that: (1) the level of neuroticism was positively correlated with negative emotion regulation; (2) negative cognitive bias mediated the relationship between neuroticism and emotion regulation; (3) mindfulness and negative cognitive bias mediated the relationship in a chain. Study 1 showed that cognitive bias may play a key role in the emotion regulation mechanism. Study 2 further explored the cognitive bias of neurotic individuals using three behavioral experiments. A mixed-design ANOVA indicated that individuals with high neuroticism levels exhibited negative attention, memory, and interpretation biases. Our findings extend previous research on emotion regulation problems of neurotic individuals and broaden the field to personality-based emotion disorders. In particular, a theoretical rationale is provided for the application of cognitive behavioral therapy, such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), to the emotion regulation of neurotic individuals.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Cancer patients (clinical intervention study) | 2003 | Mixed methods: scale development, correlational, quasi-experimental, laboratory, experience-sampling, and clinical intervention study | |
| Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. | 2008 | Controlled laboratory experiment | |
| Mindfulness and mind-wandering: Finding convergence through opposing constructs. | 2012 | Two studies: correlational study and experimental study | |
| Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence | 2009 | Experimental study | |
| Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Incarcerated population | 2006 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The relationship between neuroticism as a personality trait and mindfulness skills: a scoping review Frontiers in Psychology November 15, 2024
- Mindfulness and anxiety among medicine college students: a moderated mediation model of intolerance of uncertainty and neuroticism Psychology, Health & Medicine August 25, 2025
- The Impact of Mindfulness on Cognitive Functioning and Mood in Pre-Service Elementary Teachers
Cites 9
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
and 4 more in the library