Transdiagnostic mechanisms in loss of control pathology during adolescence: A dual-pathway perspective.

Psychopathology in which individuals experience loss of control (LOP; e.g., binge eating, substance use) is prevalent in adolescence. This project uses a dual-pathway perspective (where LOP is explained by an imbalance between immature regulatory and strong reactive processing) to gain insight into the development and treatment of LOP in adolescents. In a first work package, it will be investigated whether different kinds of LOP among adolescents in the general community are characterized by a transdiagnostic vulnerability profile based on dual-pathway processes. A longitudinal design will be used to examine the development of this vulnerability profile over time and its associations with LOP. In a second work package, the effect of a single training session targeting dual-pathway processes will be investigated in a sample of adolescents experiencing subclinical LOPs. The effect of the training will be examined on dual-pathway processes as well as on choice behavior in the context of appealing stimuli. As it is unclear whether these processes should be trained in a stimulus-specific (e.g., food stimuli) or general (e.g., range of appealing stimuli) way, stimulus selection will be tailored to each adolescent’s vulnerability. This proposal uses a challenging methodology (longitudinal and experimental designs) and has the potential for far reaching impact by advancing theories on the etiology and maintenance of LOP in youth, and enhancing prevention and intervention programs.