Mindfulness and Cognitive Emotion Regulation in Pediatric Misophonia

Authors

Samuel D Spencer
Andrew G Guzick
Matti Cervin
Eric A Storch

Publication Date

7-1-2023

Journal

Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science

DOI

10.1016/j.jcbs.2023.07.005

PMID

37593659

PMCID

PMC10430875

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

7-15-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

misophonia, Youth, Mindfulness, Cognitive emotion regulation, Misophonia assessment questionnaire (MAQ)

Abstract

Misophonia is characterized by decreased tolerance of ordinary human-generated trigger sounds and associated visual stimuli (e.g., chewing, sniffing, lip smacking), coupled with intense affective reactions. The disorder often begins during childhood or adolescence and is associated with impairment and distress in numerous life domains. Research has begun to examine the underlying psychological mechanisms of misophonia in adults, but studies in youth are limited. Trait mindfulness (i.e., nonjudgmental and nonavoidant present-moment awareness) and cognitive emotion regulation (i.e., cognitive processing, or responding to, emotionally arousing situations) are two proposed mechanisms that may underpin pediatric misophonia and associated functional impairment. In the present exploratory cross-sectional study, we examined trait mindfulness and cognitive emotion regulation and their relations with misophonia features and adaptive functioning in 102 youth with misophonia (Mage = 13.7; SD = 2.5; range = 8–17). More severe misophonia was significantly associated with decreased levels of both trait mindfulness and adaptive functioning across domains, in addition to deficits in certain facets of cognitive emotion regulation, particularly self-blame. Neither trait mindfulness nor facets of cognitive emotion regulation moderated the association between misophonia severity and adaptive functioning across domains, with the notable exception that difficulties with adaptive functioning in peer relationships was attenuated in those high in mindfulness. Findings suggest that trait mindfulness– and to a lesser extent cognitive emotion regulation– may be potentially relevant processes in pediatric misophonia. However, more research is needed to uncover the precise nature of these processes to aid future characterization and intervention efforts, especially in light of equivocal findings in the present study.