Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Associations Between Worry and Positive Emotion Regulation

Abstract

Positive emotional experiences are disrupted across a range of anxiety disorders, but little is known regarding specific symptoms that may inhibit positive emotions. Across two studies (N = 260 and N = 119), associations between worry and positive emotion regulation using questionnaires and a lab-based task were examined. Results from study 1 suggested that over 75% of participants reported worrying about a recent positive event, and this was more common for those with greater trait worry. Across both studies, worry was associated with dysregulation in response to positive experiences. In study 2, participants completed an emotion regulation task involving directed cognitive reflection on a past positive event, which resulted in increased positive affect regardless of trait worry. Overall, results suggest that individuals commonly worry about positive events and that worry is associated with the dysregulation of positive emotions. However, the ability to up-regulate positive emotions when directed may be maintained.