Leveraging emotion regulation techniques to promote health and wellbeing in daily life

Joglekar, Sakshi

Student Work

Leveraging emotion regulation techniques to promote health and wellbeing in daily life

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In recent years, the U.S. Surgeon General declared a youth mental health crisis, characterized by a sharp increase in depression and anxiety among young adults. Emerging research has highlighted the potential of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices, in addressing these mental health challenges. This study seeks to explore the neurobiological impacts of MBIs on brain structures involved in depression, focusing on regions like the amygdala, hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex, which are known to play pivotal roles in emotional processing and regulation. Using advanced machine learning techniques, this study analyzes MRI data to investigate structural brain changes and their correlation with improvements in emotional regulation, as measured by the Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). The results are poised to offer novel insights into the specific neurobiological pathways altered by MBIs, potentially guiding more effective treatments tailored to individual neurobiological profiles. The study not only contributes to a deeper understanding of depression’s underpinnings but also evaluates the long-term effectiveness of mindfulness practices in altering brain structures associated with mood regulation. This research underscores the necessity of further investigative efforts to substantiate MBIs as a viable and effective therapeutic option in the mental health arsenal, particularly for depression linked to neurobiological factors.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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