Physiological correlates of emotional dysregulation in youth with psychopathology: an exploratory study using wearable technology

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: Not reported

• Effect Size: Not reported in abstract

• Primary Outcome: ANS activity correlates of emotional reactivity measured via ECG and electrodermal response

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Correlation between physiological activation and clinical profile reported but not quantified

• Confidence Interval: Not reported

Clinical Application

Demonstrates feasibility of wearable technology for physiological monitoring in clinical settings Relevant to Australian child and adolescent mental health services, though validation in local populations needed. May inform future PBS-funded digital health interventions and complement RACGP mental health guidelines for youth Youth with mental health conditions requiring emotional regulation assessment

Abstract

The failure to regulate one's own emotions, defined as Emotional Dysregulation (ED), has become a diagnostic challenge in the last decades. Peripheral indexes of functioning of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity emerged as reliable transdiagnostic biomarkers of psychopathology. The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of wearable sensors in capturing ANS correlates of affective reactivity to emotionally salient videoclips in a stimulation protocol conducted in a clinical sample of youths. Thirty subjects (mean age: 13.93 ± 11.74) were recruited and presented with videoclips showing emotional content (joy, fear, anger, sadness, and anger). Before (Baseline), during (Task), and after (Recovery), the registration, electrocardiogram (ECG), and electrodermal response (EDR) were recorded using wearable technologies. Several indices related to the activation of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system were extracted. These indices were compared among the different phases and emotions and correlated with clinical measures. Preliminary results showed that some emotions are more able to elicit ANS response than others, and there is a correlation between physiological activation and clinical profile. These preliminary findings could help to explore the mechanisms of ED in psychopathology and can be useful to guide behavioral and pharmacological treatment. This study supports the success of wearable-based protocols for monitoring emotional reactivity in youth with psychopathology.

References

1. 1.Billeci, L., Tonacci, A., Accorinti, I., Distefano, G., Guccione, F., Milone, A., Masi, G., & Sesso, G. (2026). Physiological correlates of emotional dysregulation in youth with psychopathology: an exploratory study using wearable technology. Psychiatry Research, 117004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2026.117004