title: Emotional clarity as a function of neuroticism and major depressive disorder.
abstract: Investigators have begun to document links between emotional clarity and forms of negative emotionality, including neuroticism and major depressive disorder (MDD). Researchers to date have relied almost exclusively on global self-reports of emotional clarity; moreover, no studies have examined emotional clarity as a function of valence, although this may prove to be crucial in understanding the relation of emotional clarity to maladjustment. In 2 studies, we used experience-sampling methodology and multilevel modeling to examine the associations between emotional clarity and 2 constructs that have been linked theoretically with emotional clarity: neuroticism and depression. In Study 1 we assessed 95 college students who completed a self-report measure of neuroticism. In Study 2 we examined 53 adults diagnosed with MDD and 53 healthy adults. Reaction times to negative and positive emotion ratings during the experience-sampling protocols were used as an indirect measure of emotional clarity. Neuroticism was related to lower clarity of negative, but not of positive, emotion. Similarly, compared with the healthy controls, individuals with MDD had lower clarity of negative, but not of positive, emotion. It is important to note, findings from both studies held after controlling for baseline RTs and current levels of negative and positive emotion. These findings highlight the importance of assessing valence when examining emotional clarity and increase our understanding of the nature of the emotional disturbances that characterize neuroticism and MDD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis.
authors.forename: Renee J
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4479-096X
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kuppens
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stanford University.
authors.forename: Jutta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mata
authors.affiliation: School of Education, University of California, Irvine.
authors.forename: Susanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jaeggi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Michigan.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buschkuehl
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Michigan.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jonides
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stanford University.
authors.forename: Ian H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Gotlib
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000075384:Neuroticism; D011930:Reaction Time; D057566:Self Report; D055815:Young Adult
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