Cited by 55Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentPersonality Disorders and PsychopathologyBehavioral and Psychological Studies

CBT-Enhanced Emotion Regulation as a Mechanism of Improvement for Childhood Irritability

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Derella, Olivia J., Johnston, Oliver G., Loeber, Rolf, Burke, Jeffrey D.·2019·Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology

Abstract

Research supports the clinical importance of childhood irritability, as well as its developmental implications for later anxiety and depression. Appropriate treatment may prevent this progression; however, little evidence exists to guide clinician decision making regarding treatment for chronic irritability symptoms. Given the empirical support for irritability as a dimension of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), behavioral interventions that improve ODD symptoms, especially through emotion regulation training, are strong candidates for identifying effective treatment strategies for irritability. Data from a randomized controlled effectiveness trial were used to assess hypotheses regarding irritability. The Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) Program was developed for preadolescent youths demonstrating clinically high rates of conduct problems. Participants (252 boys, ages 6-11) were assigned to participate in either SNAP or standard services; data were collected at 4 time points over 15 months. Although lower irritability scores over time were seen for the SNAP group compared to standard services, the main effect for treatment was small and did not reach statistical significance. However, a significant indirect effect of SNAP treatment on irritability via improved emotion regulation skills was found; improved emotion regulation skills were associated with significant and substantial reductions in irritability. Specific effects of SNAP for the improvement of emotion regulation skills function as a mechanism for subsequent reductions in irritability, supporting the distinction between emotion regulation and irritability symptoms. Enhancing increased emotion regulation skills within existing evidence-based interventions for children with ODD should provide a strong foundation for treatments to target irritability symptoms.

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Crossref · 10.1080/15374416.2016.1270832

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  • CBT emphasizes cognitive restructuring and behavioural activation, which enhance emotional regulation and coping skills.

    “Cognitive-behavioural therapy emphasizes cognitive restructuring, which involves identifying irrational thoughts and negative ideations and instead allows substitution with positive reinforcement coping strategies to meet conceived expectations [42]. It also incoporates behavioural activation, which encourages engagement in positive activities and thoughts that enhance emotional regulation and cop”

    From Psychosocial interventions for improving marital intimacy, sexual satisfaction, and quality of life of women and couples with infertility problems in low and middle-income countries: Systematic review protocol (2025) · cites this paper as [43]

    The Discussion (page unavailable) says CBT-based interventions teach coping skills and describes SNAP as practicing and reinforcing prosocial behavior to improve emotion regulation. It does not describe cognitive restructuring or behavioral activation, or say that engaging in positive activities produces these improvements. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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Authors
Derella, O. J., Johnston, O. G., Loeber, R., & Burke, J. D.
Affiliations
  • University of Connecticut (US)
  • University of Pittsburgh (US)
Corresponding author
Derella, Olivia J.
Venue
Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology
Published
2017-02-02
Volume
48
Issue
sup1
Pages
S146-S154
ISSN
  • 1537-4416 (ISSN-L)
  • 1537-4424
OpenAlex
W2585386655
Cited by
55
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 1
FWCI
5.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH 074148)
  • Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (07-365-01)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
Keywords
emotion regulation, cognitive behavioral therapy, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct problems, preadolescent boys, mediation, therapeutic mechanisms
MeSH terms
Emotional Regulation, Child, Female, Humans, Irritable Mood, Male, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome

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