Trait patterns of internal attention differentially mediate the relationship between interoceptive attention and emotional regulation

Chris Brown; Aleksandra Herman

Trait patterns of internal attention differentially mediate the relationship between interoceptive attention and emotional regulation

Chris Brown, Aleksandra Herman

School of Psychology

Research output: Working paper › Preprint

Abstract

Trait interoceptive attention reflects the proportion of attentional resources an individual typically allocates to physiological signals. It has, however, yet to be established how interoceptive attention relates with other forms of internally focused attention, such as those to streams of internal thought (e.g., mind-wandering, reflection, worry), and whether these factors compete for limited attentional resources at the trait level. In a sample of 222 participants, we isolated two factors from factor analysis of different established measures of attention to thoughts, these reflected automatic attention (i.e., worry, rumination), and controlled attention (i.e., deliberate mind-wandering, reflection). Interoceptive attention was positively correlated with both these internal attention factors. Further, mediation analyses revealed that interoceptive attention was differentially related to facets of emotional regulation depending on which factor it was mediated through: When mediated through automatic attention it predicted poorer emotional awareness and clarity; and through controlled attention, it predicted greater emotional awareness and clarity. These relationships were largely independent of perceived interoceptive ability, suggesting an attention-specific effect. The results are discussed in terms of the interaction between attention to physical sensations and internal thoughts, and how different attentional styles are instrumental in the recognition and identification of emotional states.

Original language	English
Publication status	Submitted - 2023

Cite this

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title = "Trait patterns of internal attention differentially mediate the relationship between interoceptive attention and emotional regulation",

abstract = "Trait interoceptive attention reflects the proportion of attentional resources an individual typically allocates to physiological signals. It has, however, yet to be established how interoceptive attention relates with other forms of internally focused attention, such as those to streams of internal thought (e.g., mind-wandering, reflection, worry), and whether these factors compete for limited attentional resources at the trait level. In a sample of 222 participants, we isolated two factors from factor analysis of different established measures of attention to thoughts, these reflected automatic attention (i.e., worry, rumination), and controlled attention (i.e., deliberate mind-wandering, reflection). Interoceptive attention was positively correlated with both these internal attention factors. Further, mediation analyses revealed that interoceptive attention was differentially related to facets of emotional regulation depending on which factor it was mediated through: When mediated through automatic attention it predicted poorer emotional awareness and clarity; and through controlled attention, it predicted greater emotional awareness and clarity. These relationships were largely independent of perceived interoceptive ability, suggesting an attention-specific effect. The results are discussed in terms of the interaction between attention to physical sensations and internal thoughts, and how different attentional styles are instrumental in the recognition and identification of emotional states.",

author = "Chris Brown and Aleksandra Herman",

year = "2023",

language = "English",

type = "WorkingPaper",

}

TY - UNPB

T1 - Trait patterns of internal attention differentially mediate the relationship between interoceptive attention and emotional regulation

AU - Brown, Chris

AU - Herman, Aleksandra

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Trait interoceptive attention reflects the proportion of attentional resources an individual typically allocates to physiological signals. It has, however, yet to be established how interoceptive attention relates with other forms of internally focused attention, such as those to streams of internal thought (e.g., mind-wandering, reflection, worry), and whether these factors compete for limited attentional resources at the trait level. In a sample of 222 participants, we isolated two factors from factor analysis of different established measures of attention to thoughts, these reflected automatic attention (i.e., worry, rumination), and controlled attention (i.e., deliberate mind-wandering, reflection). Interoceptive attention was positively correlated with both these internal attention factors. Further, mediation analyses revealed that interoceptive attention was differentially related to facets of emotional regulation depending on which factor it was mediated through: When mediated through automatic attention it predicted poorer emotional awareness and clarity; and through controlled attention, it predicted greater emotional awareness and clarity. These relationships were largely independent of perceived interoceptive ability, suggesting an attention-specific effect. The results are discussed in terms of the interaction between attention to physical sensations and internal thoughts, and how different attentional styles are instrumental in the recognition and identification of emotional states.

AB - Trait interoceptive attention reflects the proportion of attentional resources an individual typically allocates to physiological signals. It has, however, yet to be established how interoceptive attention relates with other forms of internally focused attention, such as those to streams of internal thought (e.g., mind-wandering, reflection, worry), and whether these factors compete for limited attentional resources at the trait level. In a sample of 222 participants, we isolated two factors from factor analysis of different established measures of attention to thoughts, these reflected automatic attention (i.e., worry, rumination), and controlled attention (i.e., deliberate mind-wandering, reflection). Interoceptive attention was positively correlated with both these internal attention factors. Further, mediation analyses revealed that interoceptive attention was differentially related to facets of emotional regulation depending on which factor it was mediated through: When mediated through automatic attention it predicted poorer emotional awareness and clarity; and through controlled attention, it predicted greater emotional awareness and clarity. These relationships were largely independent of perceived interoceptive ability, suggesting an attention-specific effect. The results are discussed in terms of the interaction between attention to physical sensations and internal thoughts, and how different attentional styles are instrumental in the recognition and identification of emotional states.

M3 - Preprint

BT - Trait patterns of internal attention differentially mediate the relationship between interoceptive attention and emotional regulation

ER -