Affektregulation als transdiagnostischer Mechanismus

The process model of affect regulation provides a theoretical framework for the description of general regulatory processes in influencing emotions or moods, coping with stressful or unpleasant situations and controlling impulses. While pain research has traditionally focused on the concept of coping, there has recently been a growing interest in emotion and mood regulation in relation to pain. On the one hand, this better reflects the multidimensionality of pain with its strong emotional component. On the other hand, frequently occurring comorbid affective symptoms can be explained from a transdiagnostic perspective. Against the background of the process model of affect regulation, both pain-related and general regulatory deficits can be described. By explaining different symptoms with similar regulatory processes, the diagnostic process can be facilitated in the clinical practice. Deficits in individual regulatory phases and valuation steps can also be specified more precisely and targeted interventions can be derived. Based on the process model of affect regulation, the therapy is described as a situation of interpersonal affect regulation and implications for the treatment of psychological pain therapy are discussed. In addition, previous review articles are summarized and gaps for future research are identified.