title: Unraveling the relationship between trait negative affectivity and habitual symptom reporting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In two studies, we aimed at further elucidating the relationship between trait negative affectivity (NA) and habitual symptom reporting (HSR) by relating these variables to measures of executive function, trait questionnaires, and effects of emotion induction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy female participants (N = 75) were selected on their scores for trait NA and for the Checklist for Symptoms in Daily Life. Three groups were compared: (1) low NA-low HSR; (2) high NA-low HSR; and (3) high NA-high HSR (low NA-high HSR did not occur). In study 1, participants underwent a Parametric Go/No-go Task and a Stroop Color-Word test, and trait questionnaires measured alexithymia and absorption. Forty-five participants (N = 15 in each group) were further engaged in study 2 to induce state NA using an affective picture paradigm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Impaired inhibition on the Stroop and Go/No go Task characterized high trait NA, but not high HSR, whereas alexithymia and absorption were elevated in HSR, regardless of trait NA. Negative picture viewing induced elevated state NA in all groups, but only high HSR also reported more bodily symptoms. This effect was moderated, but not mediated by state NA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High trait NA is a vulnerability factor but not a sufficient condition to develop HSR. Deficient inhibition is related to the broad trait of NA, whereas the moderating effect of state NA on symptom reporting is specific for high HSR. Understanding processes related to alexithymia and absorption may specifically help to explain elevated HSR.
authors.affiliation: Health Psychology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Katleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bogaerts
authors.affiliation: Health Psychology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Liselotte
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rayen
authors.affiliation: Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lavrysen
authors.affiliation: Health Psychology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Van Diest
authors.affiliation: Health Psychology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.affiliation: School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schruers
authors.affiliation: Health Psychology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Van den Bergh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000342:Affective Symptoms; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D035841:Behavioral Research; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult