Mentalized affectivity: A new model and assessment of emotion regulation

Here we introduce a new assessment of emotion regulation called the Mentalized Affectivity Scale (MAS). A large online adult sample (N = 2,840) completed the 60-item MAS along with a battery of psychological measures. Results revealed a robust three-component structure underlying mentalized affectivity, which we labeled: Identifying emotions (the ability to identify emotions and to reflect on the factors that influence them); Processing emotions (the ability to modulate and distinguish complex emotions); and Expressing emotions (the tendency to express emotions outwardly or inwardly). Hierarchical modeling suggested that Processing emotions delineates from Identifying them, and Expressing emotions delineates from Processing them. We then showed how these components are associated with personality traits, well-being, trauma, and 18 different psychological disorders (including mood, neurological, and personality disorders). Notably, those with anxiety, mood, and personality disorders showed a profile of high Identifying and low Processing compared to controls. Further, results showed how mentalized affectivity scores varied across psychological treatment modalities and years spent in therapy. Taken together, the model of mentalized affectivity advances prior theory and research on emotion regulation and the MAS is a useful and reliable instrument that can be used in both clinical and non-clinical settings in psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience.

本项研究提出了名为心理化情感量表（Mentalized Affectivity Scale，简称MAS）的新型情绪调节评估方法。在一项大规模在线成年样本研究中（样本量N=2,840），参与者完成了包含60项条目的MAS量表，并接受了一系列心理测量。研究结果揭示了心理化情感背后稳健的三维结构，我们将其命名为：识别情感（识别情感及其影响因素的能力）、处理情感（调节和区分复杂情感的能力）以及表达情感（外在或内在表达情感的趋势）。层次模型表明，处理情感与识别情感相区分，而表达情感与处理情感相区分。随后，我们展示了这些成分与人格特质、幸福感、创伤以及18种不同的心理障碍（包括情绪、神经和精神障碍）之间的关联。值得注意的是，与对照者相比，患有焦虑、情绪和人格障碍的个体在识别情感方面得分较高，而在处理情感方面得分较低。此外，研究结果还揭示了心理化情感得分在不同心理治疗模式和接受治疗年限上的差异。综合来看，心理化情感模型推进了先前关于情绪调节的理论与研究，MAS作为一种有用且可靠的工具，可在心理学、精神病学和神经科学领域的临床和非临床环境中使用。