Boredom, emotional dysregulation and avoidance coping strategies: Which is their role in youth mood disorders?

Abstract

Introduction Coping and emotional regulation mechanisms may play a significant role in the neurodevelopment and in the subsequent psychopathological trajectories, especially in youth. The boredom dimension may also have a pathoplastic role. Objectives Considering the poor literature in adolescents and young people (15-24 years-old), our study aims at investigating the relationships between coping patterns and emotional dysregulation as well the mediatory role of boredom, by particularly focussing on a sample at early onset of mood disorders. Methods Cross-sectional, observational design study. Descriptive analyses were performed considering a set of socio-demographic and clinical variables (DERS, MSBS, COPE-NVI). Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlations and linear regression models were performed between DERS (dependent variable) and COPE-NVI (independent variable), together with mediation analyses (MSBS as mediator). Results 86 subjects (mean age=18.4±2.8) were enrolled. DERS score was 114.8±33.3, COPE-NVI was 129.1±22.1, MSBS was 136.22±45.8. Positive correlation between DERS total and avoidance strategies (r=+0.6,p<0.001) and negative correlation between DERS total and problem orientation strategies (r=-0.467,p=0.023) were found. Linear regression analyses showed statistically significant differences between DERS and COPE-NVI avoidance strategies (p<0.001) and COPE-NVI problem orientation (p<0.023). Mediation analyses confirmed the mediatory role of boredom dimension in the association between COPE-NVI avoidance subscale and DERS total (B=0.6849, p <0,001), between avoidance subscale and DERS lack of acceptance subscale (B=0.1286, p<0.001). Moreover, a mediatory role of MSBS inattention subscale was found in the association between COPE-NVI avoidance subscale and DERS lack of control subscale (B=0.1027, p<0.001). Conclusions Maladaptive coping strategies (particularly avoidance) were associated with increased DERS levels. A predominant use of more adaptive coping strategies (i.e., problem solving, planning) were associated with lower DERS levels. Their relationship appears to be mediated by boredom dimension. Disclosure of Interest None Declared