Emotion regulation: Theoretical and empirical issues

Abstract

The regulation of emotions represents a regular characteristic of our life. Notwithstanding, with the exception of the past few years, little research has been done on the theoretical or empirical level in the field of emotion regulation. In order to give an overview of theoretical and empirical issues in the field of emotion regulation, we will first of all define emotion regulation before we turn to differentiating between selfregulation of mood, self-regulation of emotion, and of affect. Following, two lines of theorising (i.e. one based on general self-regulatory principles, and Gross’s process model of emotion regulation), as well as the cognitive, affective and social consequences of emotion regulation, and the need to consider wider social and cultural perspectives will be outlined. Finally, we will consider individual differences in emotion regulatory processes, as well as spontaneous and instructed emotion regulatory strategies, before discussing future directions in emotion regulation psychology.