Trait Worry Predicts Emotional Interference During The Emotional Stroop Task In Adolescence
Date
2022-05
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Introduction: Adolescents face a particular vulnerability to the onset of
internalizing disorders, which past research has linked to numerous health risks and
negative outcomes. Trait worry is a transdiagnostic factor closely linked to
internalizing pathology, which has been associated with differences observed in
cognitive control processes in past studies of adult populations. The aim of the current
study is to examine the potential relationship between trait worry and emotional
interference during a cognitive control task in a population of adolescents. We
hypothesized that higher levels of trait worry would be associated with better
performance on negative vs. positive word trials, reflecting decreased inhibition of
attention to negative information.
Methods: The final sample for this study consisted of 67 adolescents (25 male,
42 female), ages 11 to 14 (M = 12.26, SD =1.02), who completed several self-report
measures and an emotional Stroop task. A partial correlation analysis was performed
between PSWQ-C total scores and emotional interference scores during the emotional
Stroop task.
Results: Findings indicate a significant correlation between trait worry and
emotional interference during the emotional Stroop task, such that higher levels of trait
worry were associated with more accurate identification of negatively valenced words,
while lower levels of trait worry were associated with more accurate identification of
positively valenced words.
Limitations: These results should be interpreted within the context of several
limitations, including a modest sample size and the use of self-report measures to
determine pubertal status and trait worry.
Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate a difference in cognitive
control processes present in adolescents with trait worry, which may inform a more in-depth understanding of the early determinants associated with internalizing pathology.
Description
Keywords
Trait worry, Adolescent, Internalizing disorders