Self-report and neurophysiological indicators of emotion processing and regulation in social anxiety disorder

Individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) report less habitual reappraisal and more frequent suppression compared to healthy controls (HC). However, it is unclear whether a neurophysiological index of emotional reactivity, the late positive potential (LPP), is aberrant in SAD or whether self-reported reappraisal or suppression relates to the LPP during on-line emotion reactivity and reappraisal. Participants with SAD (n = 51) and HC (n = 31) completed an Emotion Regulation Task. Emotion reactivity and regulation were measured via LPP when viewing negative images (‘Look Negative’) and when using a cognitive strategy to reduce negative affect (‘Reappraise Negative’). Participants also completed a self-report measure of habitual reappraisal and suppression. SAD participants displayed heightened LPP for ‘Look Negative’ compared to HC. However, LPP for online reappraisal was comparable between groups. Self-reported suppression predicted the LPP during ‘Look Negative’ in HC, and there was a trend-level relationship in SAD. LPP findings suggest targeted reappraisal approaches may benefit individuals with SAD.