Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Does the Emotion Dysregulation Model Predict Symptoms Beyond the Metacognitive Model?

While the Metacognitive Model (MCM) of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is well-established, the Emotion Dysregulation Model (EDM) of GAD has received less attention. This study examined whether the EDM helps explain GAD above and beyond the MCM. The influence of gender was also explored. A non-clinical university sample (N = 626) completed measures of GAD symptoms, worry severity, the MCM, and the EDM. In support of the EDM, it was found that fear of depression predicted GAD symptoms for men, while fear of anxiety predicted GAD symptoms for women. However, across genders, the strongest predictor of GAD symptoms and worry severity was negative beliefs about worry. While these findings support the MCM view that holding the beliefs that worry is harmful and dangerous is the strongest predictor of GAD overall, incorporating aspects of the EDM into our understanding and treatment of GAD may be beneficial.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10942-022-00479-7.