Abstract:

Emotion regulation flexibility (ERF) is a vital psychological construct that facilitates individuals in adapting to various social environments. The lack of ERF has been identified as a significant risk factor for the onset and progression of mood disorders, including anxiety and depression. Current research suggests that insufficient task-switching capabilities contribute to the deficits observed in ERF. However, traditional training methods that focus on strategies and cognitive functions have proven ineffective in enhancing task-switching abilities. This highlights an urgent necessity to identify innovative and effective approaches for improving ERF across populations susceptible to mood disorders. In light of this, the present project aims to integrate psychological theories with cognitive-neurological research methodologies to design comprehensive task-switching training programs. These programs will be structured around three key dimensions: goal, situation, and their integration, in order to systematically examine the effects of various training methods on ERF and associated neural mechanisms. The overarching goals of the research are threefold: 1) investigating the mechanism of goal-switching training on ERF. This phase of the study will delve into how training focused on enhancing flexibility in goal orientation can foster improved ERF. We will explore the cognitive processes that underlie effective goal-switching and assess how this training influences emotional regulation capabilities. By employing neuroimaging techniques, we aim to elucidate the brain regions activated during goal-switching tasks, which may provide insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of adaptive emotion regulation; 2) exploring the effect of emotion situation-switching training on ERF. This component will target the impact of training that requires individuals to switch between different emotional scenarios. Participants will engage in exercises designed to shift their emotional responses in hypothetical or real-life situations that demand varying levels of emotional adaptability. Through this training, we seek to determine the efficacy of situation-switching in enhancing ERF, as well as its potential to promote positive emotional states and reduce maladaptive emotional responses; 3) using goal-situation interaction training to improve ERF and explore its neural mechanism. This segment will focus on the integrative training approach that combines both goal orientation and situational awareness. By engaging participants in interactive training modules that require them to simultaneously consider their emotional goals and situational contexts, we aim to enhance their overall ERF. Furthermore, we will explore the neural correlates of improvements in ERF resulting from this training, aiming to shed light on the specific brain networks that facilitate effective emotion regulation during complex goal-situation interactions. Following the execution of these training interventions, a comprehensive analysis will be conducted to evaluate the differential impacts of each training method on ERF and the accompanying changes in brain activity. This approach will not only elucidate the relationship between task-switching capabilities and ERF but also highlight the neuroplasticity changes that may occur as a result of targeted training efforts. The findings from this project aim to advance our understanding of the intrinsic processes underlying ERF, specifically revealing the critical role that goal-situation task switching plays in promoting neuroplasticity. Moreover, the insights gained from this research will contribute to the development of innovative intervention strategies for individuals suffering from mood disorders, ultimately aiding in the broader goal of enhancing mental health outcomes. This project represents a novel interdisciplinary approach to addressing the challenges associated with low ERF, utilizing a combination of psychological investigation and cognitive-neuroscience methods. By prioritizing the training of task-switching abilities through goal and situation integration, we aspire to provide new avenues for improving emotion regulation capabilities, thereby reducing the risk of mood disorders and promoting psychological resilience in affected populations. In sum, our research endeavors seek to contribute to the body of knowledge on mental health, providing new perspectives on how to enhance ERF and better support individuals dealing with mood disorders. Through systematic investigation and comprehensive analysis, we are optimistic that this project will yield significant implications for future research and clinical practices geared toward improving emotional regulation and mental health.

Key words: emotion regulation, flexibility, task switching, situation, goal