Human Attachment and the Electrophysiological Dynamics of Emotion
Regulation: An Event-Related Potential Study
Abstract
Emotion regulation is pivotal in human interactions and well-being.
Modulating one’s emotional state is intricately linked with
psychological, behavioral, and physiological responses. Extensive
research has explored how individuals with varying attachment
orientations manage emotions, predominantly through self-report measures
and behavioral assessments. However, the influence of attachment
orientations on temporal electrophysiological dynamics during emotion
regulation tasks remains underexplored. Here, 90 adults’ EEG brain
activity was recorded while they engaged in tasks of attending to,
reappraising, or suppressing emotions elicited by unpleasant images.
Their attachment orientations were assessed using the Experiences in
Close Relationships-12 (ECR-12) questionnaire to explore the association
between Late Positive Potential (LPP) and attachment anxiety and
avoidance amidst the deployment of emotion regulation strategies. Using
Linear Mixed-Effects Model analysis our results revealed a lower
amplitude of the LPP during cognitive reappraisal, suggesting the
efficacy of this strategy in diminishing emotional intensity. Moreover,
higher attachment anxiety exhibited increased LPP amplitude during both
Reappraisal and Suppression, as well as during the negative natural
condition, indicating heightened emotional responses. This study
provides novel insights into the relationship between attachment
orientations and emotion regulation, as evidenced by EEG-based
measurements of the LPP. The findings indicate that individuals with
higher attachment anxiety display distinct electrophysiological
responses, particularly in emotional scenarios.