Correlation of Distorted Cognition and Emotional Dysregulation in Children with Anxiety Disorders

Arielle LoveAdvanced General Psychology

Argosy UniversityDr. Marie Dube

AbstractThis paper takes a deeper look at studies on children with anxiety disorders. It summarizes the recent studies of cognitive processes of individuals with anxiety. It also takes a further look at a new look into emotional dysregulation and how it is another important factor to consider when treating and understanding individuals with anxiety disorders, especially children. Taking the background information on both factors including biological factors can bring a more in depth understanding of the disorder in children. This paper is trying to bring more exposure to the idea of correlating emotional regulation and cognitive processes in anxiety. This will help to encourage the discussion of including emotional regulation in treatment and therapy.

Anxiety

Symptoms

o Elevated heart rate

o Perspiration

o Shortness of breath

o Nausea

o Dizziness

o Chest pain

Anxiety is NormalCOMMON STRESSORS

o College student taking a midterm exam

o A blind date

o High school student taking a driver’s license exam

o Child starting class at a new school

o Presenting a speech in front of a crowd

Anxiety Progression

An anxiety disorder occurs when fears become frequent, irrational and take

over one’s life

Childhood Anxiety

DisordersChildhood anxiety disorders can have an emotional and social negative impact on

children’s lives. It can cause behavior avoidance, social withdrawal, and a lack of

personal development. It is imperative to continue to understand the cognitive processes that occur with

anxiety. So far, understanding the distorted cognition has helped to treat individuals

through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Cognitive Process Model

Worrying

Emotions

Emotions play a huge role in a person’s life. People link their emotions with special or distinctive memories and events in their lives.

Emotional Dysregulation

Defined as poor or improper modulation of a given emotional reaction

A link between youth with anxiety disorders and emotional regulation discovered

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

Numerous research on cognition available

Links discovered between emotion and cognition

Weakness

This is a relatively new subject

There is not enough research on this topic yet

ReferencesBroeren, S., & Muris, P. (2009). The Relation Between Cognitive Development and Anxiety Phenomena in

Children. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 18(6), 702-709. Dvorak-Bertsch, J. D. et al., (2007). Anxiety Moderates the Interplay Between Cognitive and Affective

Processing. Psychological Science (Wiley-Blackwell), 18(8), 699-705.  Kelly, W. E., & Kelly, K. E. (2007). A Tale of Two Shoulds: The Relationship Between Worry, Beliefs One

Should Find a Right Solution, and Beliefs One Should Worry to Solve Problems. North American Journal of Psychology, 9(1), 103-110.

 Muris, P., & Field, A. P. (2008). Distorted cognition and pathological anxiety in children and adolescents.

Cognition & Emotion, 22(3), 395-421. Suveg, C., Sood, E., Comer, J. S., & Kendall, P. C. (2009). Changes in Emotion Regulation Following

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Anxious Youth. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 38(3), 390-401.

 Vujanovic, A., Zvolensky, M., & Bernstein, A. (2008). The Interactive Effects of Anxiety Sensitivity and

Emotion Dysregulation in Predicting Anxiety-related Cognitive and Affective Symptoms. Cognitive Therapy & Research, 32(6), 803-817.