Behavioral inhibition sensitivity and emotional response suppression: a laboratory test among adolescents in a fear-relevant paradigm.

This study examined behavioral inhibition sensitivity and emotional suppression in a fear-relevant slide-viewing paradigm among adolescents (n=95). After controlling for state anxiety, behavioral inhibition sensitivity significantly predicted subjective anxiety and the valence and control dimensions of emotional responding but was not associated with arousal-based indexes of distress. Contrary to prediction, emotional suppression did not affect emotional or psychophysiological responsiveness. These results are discussed in relation to vulnerability to anxiety-related distress among adolescents.