Investigating the cognitive mechanisms of decentring and its impact on emotional reactivity in adolescence.

Decentring, a feature of many mindfulness-based therapies, lacks clarity as a construct, and in terms of its cognitive mechanisms. Emerging evidence suggests that improving ones' ability to instate a decentred perspective mediates the relationship between mindfulness training and clinical outcomes. Decentring will be focused on due to its existence as a seemingly key active mechanism in many third wave therapies. The objectives of this research are: (i) To characterise the relationship between decentring and emotional regulation in adolescents, (ii) Identify the cognitive correlates of decentring, (iii) Investigate whether decentring training techniques can be improved once cognitive mechanisms are understood. Two projects will be undertaken Part 1 - A large-scale project characterising trait decentring abilities in young people, and their impact on self-reported emotion regulation. I will also administer a number of cognitive assessments to determine which aspects of cognition predict trait decentring ability. Part 2 - Based on the evidence of Part 1, and ongoing research in the ECMH Group, I will deliver an intensive 5-week decentring training programme to investigate cognitive mechanisms identified in Part 1. I will also measure the impact this intervention has on emotion regulation strategies. A sample of adolescents (N=60) with elevated anxious-depressive traits will be recruited, and an intensive five week decentring training programme will be delivered.