A BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACH TO AROUSAL REGULATION

Arousal regulation processes underlie a variety of behaviors including strong emotion, stress and coping, and psychopathologies such as panic and hypochondriasis. A multiply determined general model of arousal regulation processes in which individual differences in physiological responsivity and somesthetic perception are key mediating factors is reviewed. Biological, physiological, and psychological (cognitive, personality, and social) influences on these factors are discussed. A program of research testing important aspects of the model is reviewed and the model is updated in light of the research findings. Implications for clinical research are described.