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Digital Phenotyping of Emotion Dysregulation Across Lifespan Transitions to Better Understand Psychopathology Risk

Publication ,  Journal Article
Vlisides-Henry, RD; Gao, M; Thomas, L; Kaliush, PR; Conradt, E; Crowell, SE
Published in: Frontiers in Psychiatry
May 24, 2021

Ethical and consensual digital phenotyping through smartphone activity (i. e., passive behavior monitoring) permits measurement of temporal risk trajectories unlike ever before. This data collection modality may be particularly well-suited for capturing emotion dysregulation, a transdiagnostic risk factor for psychopathology, across lifespan transitions. Adolescence, emerging adulthood, and perinatal transitions are particularly sensitive developmental periods, often marked by increased distress. These participant groups are typically assessed with laboratory-based methods that can be costly and burdensome. Passive monitoring presents a relatively cost-effective and unobtrusive way to gather rich and objective information about emotion dysregulation and risk behaviors. We first discuss key theoretically-driven concepts pertaining to emotion dysregulation and passive monitoring. We then identify variables that can be measured passively and hold promise for better understanding emotion dysregulation. For example, two strong markers of emotion dysregulation are sleep disturbance and problematic use of Internet/social media (i.e., use that prompts negative emotions/outcomes). Variables related to mobility are also potentially useful markers, though these variables should be tailored to fit unique features of each developmental stage. Finally, we offer our perspective on candidate digital variables that may prove useful for each developmental transition. Smartphone-based passive monitoring is a rigorous method that can elucidate psychopathology risk across human development. Nonetheless, its use requires researchers to weigh unique ethical considerations, examine relevant theory, and consider developmentally-specific lifespan features that may affect implementation.

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Published In

Frontiers in Psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1664-0640

Publication Date

May 24, 2021

Volume

12

Related Subject Headings

  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

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Vlisides-Henry, R. D., Gao, M., Thomas, L., Kaliush, P. R., Conradt, E., & Crowell, S. E. (2021). Digital Phenotyping of Emotion Dysregulation Across Lifespan Transitions to Better Understand Psychopathology Risk. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.618442
Vlisides-Henry, R. D., M. Gao, L. Thomas, P. R. Kaliush, E. Conradt, and S. E. Crowell. “Digital Phenotyping of Emotion Dysregulation Across Lifespan Transitions to Better Understand Psychopathology Risk.” Frontiers in Psychiatry 12 (May 24, 2021). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.618442.
Vlisides-Henry RD, Gao M, Thomas L, Kaliush PR, Conradt E, Crowell SE. Digital Phenotyping of Emotion Dysregulation Across Lifespan Transitions to Better Understand Psychopathology Risk. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2021 May 24;12.
Vlisides-Henry, R. D., et al. “Digital Phenotyping of Emotion Dysregulation Across Lifespan Transitions to Better Understand Psychopathology Risk.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 12, May 2021. Scopus, doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.618442.
Vlisides-Henry RD, Gao M, Thomas L, Kaliush PR, Conradt E, Crowell SE. Digital Phenotyping of Emotion Dysregulation Across Lifespan Transitions to Better Understand Psychopathology Risk. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2021 May 24;12.

Published In

Frontiers in Psychiatry

DOI

EISSN

1664-0640

Publication Date

May 24, 2021

Volume

12

Related Subject Headings

  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences