An Examination of the Association between Emotion Regulation and Emetophobia Symptoms

Bibliographic Data

ID13668642
AuthorsJennifer Petell (0000-0001-6330-1116, Department of Psychology, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA, corresponding author), Sarah A Bilsky (0000-0003-3641-0928, Department of Psychology, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA)
Year2023
Volume128
Issue5
Pages3412-3427
Publication date2023-11-07
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00332941231213855
PMID37934134
OpenAlexW4388464859
LanguageEN
References cited58

BackgroundSpecific phobia of vomiting, referred to as emetophobia, is a specific phobia characterized by persistent and severe fear of vomit. Individuals with emetophobia engage in a variety of emotional and behavioral avoidance strategies to distance themselves from perceived vomit-related threat. As such, individuals may struggle to effectively use emotion regulation (ER) skills; however, to date, limited work has examined the association between emotion regulation and emetophobia symptoms. The present study aimed to address this gap in the literature and examine the association between ER and emetophobia symptoms.MethodsParticipants ( N = 508) were a remote, clinical sample of individuals recruited via social media forums dedicated to the disorder who self-identified as experiencing emetophobia. Hierarchical linear regressions were used to assessed unique contributions of ER to emetophobia symptoms. Age, gender, and depressive symptoms were entered as covariates in the hierarchical regression.ResultsResults demonstrated ER was significantly related to emetophobia symptoms above and beyond the effects of depressive symptoms, age and gender in the current sample.ConclusionsThe findings provide initial support for an association between ER and emetophobia, and suggest future directions for refining the conceptualization of emetophobia. Limitations and considerations include the recruitment strategy via social media websites for individuals with emetophobia, limited diversity of the sample, and cross-sectional nature

Anxiety · Association (psychology · Conceptualization · Depressive symptoms · Multilevel model · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies · Psychology

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