3-4 PAGE PAPER

Pathways between neurocognition, social cognition and emotion regulation in bipolar disorder Comment by Prof. Benjamin Freer: The title of your paper should be different than the article that you are reviewing

Karina Moreno

PSYC 3338

Introduction and Background of the research

From past research, there is evidence that suggests that the capacity for effective neurocognitive function in bipolar disorder (BD) is affected by social cognition as well as emotion regulation. Adaptive emotional control is crucial for people with bipolar disorder. However, emotional control depends on intact social cognition. There is also a possibility that social cognition influences the relationship between intact social cognition and neurocognition.

Patients with neurocognitive impairments, social cognitive impairments and deficiencies in emotion regulation exhibit lower aptitude for self-regulatory behaviors, higher inhibition and lower flexibility.

The aim of the research was to examine the relationships between neurocognition, social cognition and emotion regulation. The researchers tested an integrated predictive model in a sample of out-patient individuals who met the criteria for a DSMIV-TR diagnosis of BD. Three hypotheses were developed for the research:

Hypothesis I: Neurocognition would influence emotion regulation Comment by Prof. Benjamin Freer: You need to paraphrase these hypotheses as they are identical to the article. This is considered plagiarism and needs to be corrected.

Hypothesis II: Emotion perception and theory of mind relevant aspects of social cognition

Hypothesis III: Social cognition would influence the regulation of emotion and thereby mediate its predicted relationship with neurocognition

Research Method

The research involved primary research involving human subjects. As such, informed consent was obtained in written form from each participant before they were involved in the study. For the research, a sample of 51 out-patients who were diagnosed with DSM-IV-TR BD was selected. The interview approach used was the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The participants for the research were through community support groups and advertisements. Symptoms of the patients were assessed using the YMRS and the MADRS. All participants were fluent in English while those with visual impairments, history of drug abuse and neurological disorders were excluded. The participants were aged between 18 and 65 years. The researchers also recruited 52 healthy participants to act as the control sample. The emotion regulation, social cognition and neurocognition capabilities of the participants were measured. Participants were assigned battery of tests that were directly linked to the three areas of interest. Comment by Prof. Benjamin Freer: What about the healthy control participants? Comment by Prof. Benjamin Freer: Spell out the abbreviation the first time you report it then include the abbreviation in parentheses. Every time you report after this you can report only the abbreviation Comment by Prof. Benjamin Freer: Explain how these were all measured

Findings

From the research, a path analysis helped the researcher arrive at the conclusion that among those with bipolar disorder, neurocognition was linked to social cognition conversely, there was no correlation between social cognition and emotion regulation which was in contrary to the expectations. On the contrary, among the healthy participants who acted as the control group, it was revealed that an aspect of social cognition mediated the relationship between neurocognition and emotion regulation.

Evidence suggests that in other psychiatric conditions, poor cognitive function impairs social cognitive abilities. This means research has it that cognitive inefficiency predisposes one to poor social cognition. Moreover, aspects of social cognition have also been related to difficulties in emotional regulation. Anomaly in emotion control and social cognition can form basis for understanding modifiable domains of dysfunction.

Reflection and Opinion

In my opinion, the research was essential to help us understand more about bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders. The study provides crucial insights into the differences between the relationship between neurocognition, social cognition and emotion regulation among patients with bipolar disorder. It does not appear as if the research was exhaustive to enable one to say with certainty that neurocognitive and social cognitive abilities in individuals operate independent of emotion regulation capability among bipolar disorder patients. Comment by Prof. Benjamin Freer: But what insights are made from this study? Be more specific

Examination and Critique of the Experiment

I think the findings of the research can be relied on. The researchers used credible, appropriate and exhaustive statistical techniques to analyze the data collected. Various statistical methods such as t-tests, chi-squared tests, bivariate correlations, Pearson’s correlation and path analysis were used. However, there were limitations in the research. The researchers were unable to exhaustively investigate how mood influenced between neurocognition, social cognition and emotion regulation. Secondly, the researchers were unable to identify how medication may influence the results. This means that the results cannot be generalized.

Directions for Future Research

Mitigating effects of medication on the behavior of the participants is essential. It would thus be important to understand if emotional regulation shows any correlation with neurocognition and social cognition. Next I would like to know if the research is repeated on individuals who are not under medication whether the results would be the same. This research resonates with the course content. It helps me better understand the symptoms of psychiatric conditions and how they relate to neurocognition, emotional regulation and social cognition. Comment by Prof. Benjamin Freer: This is what you want to know next. What about what the researchers suggest? Comment by Prof. Benjamin Freer: Be more specific about a specific part of the course content that is related to the findings or focus of this study

Next Study

To study the relationship between neurocognition, emotional regulation and social cognition for BP patients who are under no medication at the time of study. Comment by Prof. Benjamin Freer: More depth needed for the next study. You likely need a comparison group for a group with BP not on medication. This could be BP on medication or could be a healthy control group.

Hypotheses I: influences emotional regulation Comment by Prof. Benjamin Freer: Hypotheses are not clear or directional. Be more specific

Hypotheses II: Social cognition influences emotional regulation

Reference Article

Van Rheenen, T. E., Meyer, D., & Rossell, S. L. (2014). Pathways between neurocognition, social cognition and emotion regulation in bipolar disorder. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 130(5), 397-405.