Abstract
The process model of emotion regulation (ER) is based on stages in the emotion generative process at which regulation may occur. This meta-analysis examines age-related differences in the subjective, behavioral, and physiological outcomes of instructed ER strategies that may be initiated after an emotional event has occurred; attentional deployment, cognitive change, and response modulation. Within-process strategy, stimulus type, and valence were also tested as potential moderators of the effect of age on ER. A systematic search of the literature identified 156 relevant comparisons from 11 studies. Few age-related differences were found. In our analysis of the subjective outcome of response modulation strategies, young adults used expressive enhancement successfully (g = 0.48), but not expressive suppression (g = 0.04). Response modulation strategies had a small positive effect among older adults, and enhancement vs suppression did not moderate this success (g = 0.31 and g = 0.10, respectively). Young adults effectively used response modulation to regulate subjective emotion in response to pictures (g = 0.41) but not films (g = 0.01). Older adults were able to regulate in response to both pictures (g = 0.26) and films (g = 0.11). Interestingly, both age groups effectively used detached reappraisal, but not positive reappraisal to regulate emotional behavior. We conclude that, in line with well-established theories of socioemotional aging, there is a lack of evidence for age differences in the effects of instructed ER strategies, with some moderators suggesting more consistent effectiveness for older compared to younger adults.
Highlights
Theories of aging assumed that growing older was associated with global declines in physical, cognitive, and emotional health (Banham, 1951; Buhler, 1968; Cumming & Henry, 1961)
Eligibility criteria Published data and unpublished theses were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis if they were in English, and met four inclusion criteria: (1) studies were required to include at least one age comparison between an older adult group with a mean age of 59 years or higher, and a young adult group with a mean age of 40 years or younger
We found no evidence of age-related differences in the subjective outcomes of cognitive change strategies, and in direct contrast with our prediction, both age groups were more successful at regulating behavioral indicators of emotion when using detached reappraisal relative to positive reappraisal
Summary
Theories of aging assumed that growing older was associated with global declines in physical, cognitive, and emotional health (Banham, 1951; Buhler, 1968; Cumming & Henry, 1961). Recent research suggests that physical and cognitive declines in older age are offset by improved emotional health (Charles & Carstensen, 2007). Older age is associated with decreased negative affect (Carstensen et al, 2011; Grühn, Kotter-Grühn & Röcke, 2010; Stone et al, 2010), lower rates of clinical anxiety and depression (see review by Piazza & Charles (2006)), and equal if not greater positive. Systematic review and meta-analysis of age-related differences in instructed emotion regulation success. The present systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to examine age-related differences in the success of instructed ER strategies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
