Author ORCID Identifier:
Date of Graduation
7-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Psychological Science
Advisor/Mentor
Veilleux, Jennifer
Committee Member
Makhanova, Anastasia
Second Committee Member
Judah, Matt
Keywords
Emotion-related impulsivity, transdiagnostic risk factor, psychiatric disorders,engagement emotion regulation strategies
Abstract
Emotion-related impulsivity is a transdiagnostic risk factor that is seen across a wide range of psychiatric disorders. Traditionally, emotion-related impulsivity has been studied at the trait level, reflecting that it is something that someone has rather than something that they do. However, recent studies have highlighted the importance of viewing emotion-related impulsivity as a dynamic process that occurs in response to momentary emotional experiences. However, it is less clear about the influence of attentional and evaluative processes on downstream behavioral responses that may be aimed at rapidly regulating emotion. This study aimed to investigate emotion-related impulsivity through the lens of the Model of Emotion-Related Impulsivity Processes, which integrates work investigating emotion-related impulsivity and emotion regulation to understand the influence of cognitive impulsivity on downstream responses to emotion, including both impulsive and regulatory behaviors. Participants (N = 100) identified as emotionally impulsive completed one week of ecological momentary assessment to track affect, attention to emotion, evaluations of emotion, rash action and inaction urges, short- and long-term goal focus, rash action and inaction behavior, short- and long-term goal success, and use of engagement emotion regulation strategies. Results of this study were mixed but highlighted the role of cognitive impulsivity in the occurrence of impulsive behaviors in response to heightened emotion. Overall, findings provide initial support for the Model of Emotion-Related Impulsivity Processes and suggest that the processes that underly emotion-related impulsivity are dynamic and vary across contexts and emotional states.
Citation
Shelton, D. (2026). I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore: Investigating the Influence of Cognitive Emotion-Related Impulsivity on Behavioral Impulsivity Through the Lens of Emotion Regulation in Daily Life. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/6318
