I propose in these papers that emotional reactivity, alexithymia, and emotion regulation are conceptually separable but linked constructs, because they correspond to different stages in the emotion generation and emotion valuation sequences described by Gross. I then present six papers that report on factor analytic studies I conducted to test this framework’s parameters and evaluate existing measures or the new Perth measures.
![emotional reactivity emotional reactivity](https://files.liveworksheets.com/def_files/2020/5/12/5120532260000131596/5120532260000131596001.jpg)
I use Gross’s (2015a) extended process model of emotion regulation as an integrating conceptual framework, to delineate definitions of emotional reactivity, alexithymia, and emotion regulation that are compatible with each other and consistent with existing empirical data.
#EMOTIONAL REACTIVITY SERIES#
My research project was therefore one of both construct validation and measurement validation, with two interrelated aims: first, to establish compatible and empirically supported definitions of emotional reactivity, alexithymia, and emotion regulation second, to develop and validate a set of new, comprehensive self-report measures based on these definitions, called the Perth series of measures.
![emotional reactivity emotional reactivity](https://i1.rgstatic.net/publication/314157839_Perth_Emotional_Reactivity_Scale_PERS_Copy_of_questionnaire_and_scoring_instructions/links/5c56c4e5458515a4c7543cd9/largepreview.png)
Clinicians’ and researchers’ ability to assess these three constructs is, however, currently hampered by a lack of conceptual or definitional clarity, and consequently a lack of comprehensive or accurate psychometric measures. A comprehensive profile of emotional functioning requires information about at least three constructs, emotional reactivity, alexithymia, and emotion regulation, as each has been independently identified as an important transdiagnostic risk factor. Many psychopathologies are characterised by abnormalities in emotional functioning, so clinicians and researchers need to assess emotional functioning to inform case conceptualisations and treatments, and to develop theoretical understanding of the mechanisms behind these psychopathologies.