Differences in the Frontal EEG Asymmetry during Emotion Regulation Between High and Low Mindful Adolescents

• In Event: Poster Session 01
  In Poster Session: PS 01 Topic - Social, Emotional, Personality

Abstract

Mindfulness is considered to improve individuals’ ability of emotion regulation by improving attentional orientation and cognitive control. Frontal electroencephalograms asymmetry reflects the balance of brain activation in left and right frontal areas and is widely viewed to be a biomarker of emotional reactivity and effective regulation. The present study examined differences in the frontal EEG asymmetry during emotion regulation between participants who had different level of trait mindfulness. EEG was recorded from 23 high mindful adolescents (Mage= 12.34) and 22 low mindful adolescents (Mage= 12.53) during the Reactivity and Regulation-Image Task. The results showed that (1) generally, high mindful adolescents had greater left (relative to right) asymmetry than low mindful adolescents during emotion regulation; (2) in down-regulation and up-regulation conditions, high mindful adolescents had greater left (relative to right) asymmetry than low mindful adolescents. However, there was no significant difference in non-regulation condition; (3) adolescents showed greater right (relative to left) asymmetry when regulating negative stimuli than neutral emotions. However, there was no significant difference in up-regulation condition in the up-regulation and non-regulation conditions. The results provide neurological evidence that trait mindfulness influences the regulation of emotions and affects how emotions are processed.

Authors

• Xinmei Deng, Shenzhen University
  Presenting Author

• Meng Yang, Shenzhen University
  Non-Presenting Author