Emotion Regulation Strategies Research Articles

Correction to: ERRATA CORRIGE OF THE PAPER “Maladaptive daydreaming as emotion regulation strategy: exploring the association with emotion regulation, psychological symptoms, and negative problem-solving orientation”

Correction to: ERRATA CORRIGE OF THE PAPER “Maladaptive daydreaming as emotion regulation strategy: exploring the association with emotion regulation, psychological symptoms, and negative problem-solving orientation”

The moderating role of the late positive potential in the link between attachment anxiety and emotion regulation difficulties

IntroductionUnderstanding how adults experience and regulate their emotions is strongly linked to attachment orientations. Numerous studies indicate emotional regulation difficulties in both attachment avoidance and anxiety. Additionally, emotional Event-Related Potentials (ERPs), such as the Late Positive Potential (LPP), reveal the process of emotional information at the cerebral level, and thus, LPP is commonly used in studies examining emotion regulation processes. For instance, when individuals are asked to use cognitive strategies to increase, maintain, or decrease their emotional responses to stimuli, changes in LPP amplitude can reflect the effectiveness of these regulation strategies. However, little is known about the potential moderating effect of the LPP during the implementation of emotional regulation strategies in the relationship between attachment dimensions and emotional dysregulation. To address this oversight, the purpose of the present study was to examine the association between both dimensions of attachment, anxiety and avoidance, and emotional dysregulation, as well as the moderating role of the LPP during the induced implementation of cognitive reappraisal.MethodsBrain activity was recorded using EEG from n = 63 adults while they performed a task in which they were instructed to either reappraise or suppress emotions elicited by unpleasant images. To assess the associations between LPP, emotional dysregulation, and attachment orientations, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale Spanish version (DERS-E) and the Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire (ECR-12) were used.ResultsInterestingly, we found that greater LPP amplitudes during reappraisal implementation intensified the association between attachment anxiety and emotional regulation difficulties. Conversely, this relationship was non-significant under lower levels of LPP amplitude—Providing supporting evidence for the moderating role of LPP.DiscussionOur results highlight how attachment anxiety can influence the ability to regulate emotions. This study provides new insights into how variations in LPP contribute to the effectiveness of emotion regulation strategies.

The School Bullying Victimization in Adolescents With Non‐Suicidal Self‐Injury: The Role of Coping Strategies and Emotion Regulation

ABSTRACTThe present study aimed to investigate the relationship between school bullying victimization and non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) frequency, taking into consideration the mediating roles of coping strategies and emotional regulation. Participants were 12‐18‐year‐old outpatients and inpatients who met the NSSI and depressive disorder criteria according to the DSM‐5. Assessments included the Multidimensional Peer‐Victimization Scale, Coping Style Scale for Middle School Students, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents, and the Functional Assessment of Self‐Mutilation to examine the bullying victimization, coping strategies, emotion regulation, and NSSI behaviour. Serial multiple mediation effects of coping strategies and emotion regulation between bullying victimization and NSSI frequency were analysed using the SPSS macro PROCESS programme. A total of 2335 participants were included in this study. Bullying victimization significantly predicted NSSI frequency (B = 0.191, p < 0.001). Both coping strategies and emotion regulation were important mediators in the relationship between bullying victimization and NSSI frequency. Bullying victimization indirectly affected NSSI through two serial mediation pathways: (1) bullying victimization → problem‐focused coping → cognitive reappraisal → NSSI frequency, and (2) bullying victimization → emotion‐focused coping→ expressive suppression → NSSI frequency. The study revealed a positive association between bullying victimization and the frequency of NSSI among adolescents with depressive disorder. Strategies of coping and emotional regulation significantly mediated the link between bullying victimization and the frequency of NSSI. The findings suggested that supporting adolescents in adopting effective coping and emotional regulation strategies could be a crucial approach to mitigate the impact of bullying victimization on the frequency of NSSI.

The effect of alexithymia on self-perceived aging among community-dwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions: the mediating role of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies

ObjectivesThis study investigated the mediating role of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between alexithymia and self-perceived aging among older adults.MethodsWe surveyed 478 Chinese community-dwelling older adults from November 2022 to May 2023. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), and Brief Aging Perceptions Questionnaire (B-APQ) were used. Correlation analyses, multiple linear regression analysis, and structural equation modeling were performed.ResultsThe average age of participants was 71.52 ± 7.80 years, and the number of chronic diseases was distributed as follows: 270 (56.49%) had 2 disease conditions, 156 (32.64%) had 3 disease conditions, and 52 (10.88%) had 4 disease conditions or more. Scores for alexithymia 57.83 ± 10.19; maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies 49.63 ± 10.65; and self-perceived aging 58.74 ± 10.23. Alexithymia and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies were positively correlated with negative self-perceived aging (r=0.665 and r=0.673, respectively), explaining 51.8% of the variance in self-perceived aging. Structural equation modeling results showed that alexithymia had a direct effect (of 0.368) on self-perceived aging, accounting for 44.1% of the total effect. Maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies partially mediated the relationship, with a mediation effect of 0.386, accounting for 51.8% of the total effect.ConclusionThese findings suggest that addressing maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies can help reduce negative self-perceived aging in elderly individuals with multiple chronic conditions, particularly among those with alexithymia.

Predicting analog intrusions from neural correlates of immediate and lasting effects of cognitive reappraisal.

Emotional dysregulation is considered as an etiologically relevant factor for posttraumatic stress disorder. The relevance of immediate and lasting effects of cognitive reappraisal, a prominent emotion regulation strategy, and its habitual use for the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms in response to an experimental trauma are therefore investigated in our study. Eighty-five healthy women participated in a functional magnetic resonance imaging study, which included an emotion regulation paradigm prior to the conduction of the trauma film paradigm, which was used to assess the development of analog intrusions. During the first phase of the emotion regulation paradigm, participants were instructed to use two reappraisal tactics (reinterpretation and distancing) to reduce negative feelings toward aversive pictures or to passively watch aversive and neutral pictures. One week later, these pictures were presented again during a passive reexposure phase. Ratings of negative feelings and blood oxygen level dependent responses in regions of interest served as main outcome variables. The habitual use of cognitive reappraisal was assessed by questionnaire. Reduced habitual use and stronger lasting effects of cognitive reappraisal, as indicated by reduced insula activation during reexposure to pictures previously reinterpreted and distanced from, predicted the development of long-term analog intrusions. Stronger lasting effects of both reappraisal tactics for women with long-term analog intrusions seem to result from stronger emotional reactivity processes. Women with long-term analog intrusions in response to an experimental trauma seem to benefit to a greater extent from a cognitive reappraisal training than women without long-term intrusions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Effects of cognitive flexibility on dynamics of emotion regulation and negative affect in daily life

ABSTRACT Background Cognitive flexibility is a key factor underlying emotion regulation (ER) and mental health. However, the impact of cognitive flexibility on flexible deployment of ER strategies in changing contexts remains unknown. This study investigated the effects of cognitive flexibility on two noteworthy ER constructs (strategy use and flexibility) and examined downstream impacts on negative affect. Methods Healthy adult participants (N = 202) completed a 10-day experience sampling protocol. Cognitive flexibility, daily ER (including flexibility and ten specific strategies) and negative affect in daily life were measured. We conducted multilevel regression and mediation models to examine associations among cognitive flexibility, daily ER, and negative affect in daily life. Results Higher cognitive flexibility predicted higher ER flexibility – indicated by strategy – situation fit, use of meta-ER skills and between-strategy variability – as well as higher use of reappraisal and problem solving, but lower use of worry. Mediation analyses suggested that enhanced ER flexibility and reduced use of worry linked cognitive flexibility to reduced negative affect. Conclusions Overall, findings have important implications for understanding the effects of cognitive flexibility on rigid versus flexible ER in ever-changing situations.

Emotion Regulation Strategies of Thai Teachers Facing Communication Challenges with Migrant Students: A Q Methodology Study

AbstractThe study employed Q methodology to investigate Thai primary school teachers’ emotion regulation (ER) in classrooms with migrant students, categorizing them into different cohorts based on their shared ER strategies and exploring how these strategies influence teachers and their multicultural classrooms. Three distinct teacher groups were identified. The first group, re-rationalizers, address obstacles by reinterpreting them in a positive light, emphasizing their roles as moral guides and facilitators of student development. The second group, change makers, tackle communication issues directly with a strong commitment to student support and an inclusive mindset. The third group, self-distractors, manage emotional difficulties by shifting their attention to the positive aspects of the situation. Although they may not directly address the issue, this strategy helps maintain a positive atmosphere in the multicultural classroom. These strategies highlight the importance of understanding teachers’ emotion regulation among the participants to enhance their effectiveness in working with diverse students, with implications for policymakers and education at large. The findings underscore the significance of understanding teachers’ emotion regulation strategies to improve their effectiveness in diverse educational settings. These insights have implications for policymakers and educational practices.

The effect of cognitive emotion regulation on direct-acting antivirals adherence in patients with hepatitis C

IntroductionAdherence to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) could be a predictor of chronic viral hepatitis C (HCV) therapeutic failure. We examined the perceptions of patients receiving DAAs to determine how cognitive factors influence their decision to maintain adherence. Also, we explored the threshold of DAAs adherence for obtaining sustained virologic response (SVR) among patients with HCV, in order to better implement a strategy that improves the DAAs adherence in the future clinical practice.MethodsA single-arm prospective study was performed. Patients with HCV that started and completed DAAs treatment in the County Hospital of Craiova, Dolj, Romania, were enrolled. Patients’ medication adherence was assessed using the HCV-AD10 questionnaire, and the cognitive emotion regulation was measured with CERQ questionnaire (five positive/adaptive cognitive emotion-regulation domains and four negative/maladaptive domains). Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationships between adherence and different factors. ROC-curves were used to evaluate the adherence threshold to achieve SVR. A linear regression model was performed to analyze the primary outcome (DAAs adherence) to be the target variable based on given independent variables (age, treatment duration, severity of HCV, the nine adaptive and maladaptive strategies).Results368 patients (mean age: 61 years) with HCV diagnosed 4.05 ± 6.38 (average) years ago were enrolled. Mean (±SD) adherence via HCV-AD10 was 91.51 ± 8.34, and the proportion of the participants achieving SVR was 96%. Patients with an adherence less than 84% (5 patients, 1.36%) was considered nonadherent and they have a high probability of not achieving response (sensitivity and specificity of 83% and 80%, respectively). We obtained significantly higher values of three adaptive strategies between adherent and nonadherent patients following DAAs treatment: in positive refocusing (p-value = 0.044), refocus on planning (p-value = 0.037), and positive reappraisal (p-value = 0.047).DiscussionThe interplay between the three adaptive strategies of the cognitive emotion regulation and the enhancement of DAAs adherence contributes to a more holistic comprehension of patient behavior in the context of HCV treatment. Increasing refocusing and planning using goal setting and assisting patients in establishing specific, achievable goals can be crucial strategies for clinicians aiming to improve adherence among their patients.

Research on the Psychological State of Brass Instrument Performers from the Perspective of Emotion Regulation

This article explores the psychological state of brass instrument performers from the perspective of emotion regulation, focusing on the positive impacts of emotional regulation strategies such as cognitive reappraisal, breathing control, and mindfulness training on performers’ psychological well-being. Specific applications of these strategies are proposed for performance preparation, stage performances, and daily practice. Research results indicate that the effective use of emotion regulation strategies can alleviate performers’ anxiety, enhance psychological stability, and improve performance quality, providing practical psychological intervention pathways for brass instrument players.

Anthropomorphic Design in Mortality Salience Situations: Exploring Emotional and Non-Emotional Mechanisms Enhancing Consumer Purchase Intentions

This study investigates the role of anthropomorphic design in alleviating consumer anxiety induced by mortality salience and delves into the underlying emotional and non-emotional mechanisms. Through a series of meticulously designed experiments, we confirm that anthropomorphic design significantly enhances positive emotional responses in consumers, reduces negative emotions, and thereby increases their preference and willingness to purchase products. Even after the diminution of emotional reactions, anthropomorphic design continues to sustain consumer preference by enhancing psychological intimacy. These findings reveal the crucial role of anthropomorphic design as an effective emotional regulation strategy in consumer purchasing behavior, enriching the application of terror management theory and emotion regulation theory in consumer behavior research. Furthermore, our study provides valuable practical guidance for product design and marketing strategies, especially for consumer groups frequently facing high-pressure situations. Products with anthropomorphic designs may be more appealing to these consumers, helping to mitigate their death anxiety and enhance psychological well-being.

Differential effects of trait-like emotion regulation use and situational emotion regulation ability across the affective and anxiety disorders spectrum: a transdiagnostic examination

Here, we investigated the association of different emotion regulation (ER) indices with symptom severity across a large transdiagnostic sample of patients with emotional disorders (cross-sectional approach) and the predictive validity these ER indices have for the outcome of routine care CBT (longitudinal approach). We assessed the trait-like use of adaptive (reappraisal) and maladaptive (suppression, externalizing behaviors) ER strategies via questionnaire as well as the situational ability to regulate emotions with an experimental ER paradigm. Psychopathology was assessed dimensionally using the depression, anxiety, and stress scale. Cross-sectionally symptom severity was predicted by less trait-like use of adaptive and more trait-like use of maladaptive ER strategies, but no associations were found for situational ER ability. This association was more pronounced for depression and stress symptoms rather than anxiety symptoms. In a striking dissociation, the longitudinal analyses revealed the reverse picture: Better situational ER ability, but not trait-like use of ER strategies was associated with less symptom severity after the CBT treatment. Our data argues in favor of a distinction between trait-like and situational ER abilities in individuals with emotional disorders, highlighting challenges in applying adaptive ER strategies in daily life despite demonstrating intact ER skills in experimental settings. Our findings also inform transdiagnostic models of psychopathology and suggest that distress/depression rather than anxiety symptomatology to be driving forces for the occurrence of ER deficits across the depression/anxiety disorders spectrum.

Parental depressive symptoms and child psychopathology: Effects of parenting‐specific emotion regulation and emotion socialization

AbstractObjectiveThe study explores the associations among parental depressive symptoms, child symptoms of psychopathology, emotion socialization (ES), and parenting‐specific emotion regulation (ER) using a novel measure, the Regulating Emotions in Parenting Scale (REPS).BackgroundThere is a notable correlation between parental depressive symptoms and symptoms of psychopathology in children. Empirical studies have also observed a correlation in the intergenerational patterns of ER, as well as their relations to ES. Investigating these relations in nonclinical samples is vital for understanding these risk factors and how they relate to child mental health.MethodThe study sample was comprised of n = 315 mothers and fathers and used a cross‐sectional design. Assessments were conducted on parental depressive symptoms, child psychopathology, ES, and parenting‐specific ER (REPS).ResultsOur findings revealed that parental depressive symptoms were significantly associated with all ER strategies in the parenting context. These ER strategies, in turn, were related to unsupportive ES practices, which were further related to child psychopathology. Parenting‐specific ER strategies and parents' supportive ES had a significant indirect effect on the association between parental depressive symptoms and child psychopathology. However, only indirect effects through unsupportive ES and suppression and rumination were significant, not adaptive ER.ConclusionsThe study's cross‐sectional correlations provide support for the role of parenting‐specific ER as it relates to ES, parental, and child psychopathology.ImplicationsFindings imply that how parents regulate their emotions during parenting significantly affects their ability to engage in supportive ES practices, but replication in a longitudinal framework is warranted.

Cognitive Engagement and Subjective Well-Being in Adults: Exploring the Role of Domain-Specific Need for Cognition

Need for Cognition (NFC) is an investment trait reflecting interindividual differences in intrinsically motivated engagement in cognitive endeavors. While other motivational constructs like the ability self-concept are typically conceptualized domain-specific, NFC was initially conceived to describe domain-general behavior. Building on a previous study reporting the relevance of domain-specific aspects of NFC in the school context, we investigated the domain-specificity of NFC in predicting various aspects of subjective well-being across three samples with N = 1074 participants and subsamples of students and professionals ranging from n = 140 to n = 346. Our findings reveal positive associations of both domain-general and domain-specific NFC with positive affect, life satisfaction, and job- and study-related satisfaction. In part, domain-specific NFC was more strongly related to domain-specific life satisfaction compared to domain-general NFC. Additionally, we found evidence for small incremental values of domain-specific NFC over and above domain-general NFC in predicting subjective well-being. Confirming previous research, self-control and the emotion regulation strategy reappraisal partially mediated the prediction of well-being by NFC. Our results indicate that additionally considering NFC as domain-specific can meaningfully complement the domain-general conceptualization.

How to judge emotions? Measuring moral emotions of lawyers in a retrospective situation

This study examined legal practitioners' emotion regulation strategies and subjective moral emotions related to legal cases they handle. Forty-two participants recalled a civil law case and the emotions they experienced while handling the case. They completed the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire to identify emotion regulation strategies they usually use. Results showed that attorneys often experienced anger and empathy and used strategies that tend to be adaptive across a wide range of contexts. There was a moderate positive correlation between Anger and Positive Refocusing, Contempt and Other-Blame, Guilt and Maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, and the Difference between parties’ agreeableness (understood as how sympathetic they seemed) and Anger. As the experience of negative emotions paired with maladaptive emotion regulation techniques might be associated with negative consequences both for the self and for the relationship with clients, the present study suggests that adding emotion regulation into legal curricula is crucial.

Moderating Role of Self-Regulation Difficulties in the Momentary Associations Between Depressive Symptoms and Participation Poststroke.

Because depressive symptoms are momentarily associated with lower levels of participation poststroke, it is crucial to investigate what moderates such associations to identify a potential intervention target to reduce the momentary links between depressive symptoms and participation poststroke. Self-regulation seems to be a potential moderator of such associations. To investigate the extent to which difficulties in self-regulation moderate the momentary associations between depressive symptoms and participation poststroke. This study uses a real-time, repeated-measures design using smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment surveys five times a day for 10 days. We performed multilevel modeling to uncover the momentary associations among the study variables. Community. 39 people with stroke. We obtained real-time data for difficulties in self-regulation (total, cognitive, behavioral, and emotion regulation), depressive symptoms, and participation in daily activities (performance in daily activities and satisfaction with performing daily activities). We included 1,612 survey responses in the analysis. Higher depressive symptoms were momentarily associated with lower levels of performance (β = -0.05 to -0.07, p < .001) and satisfaction (β = -0.04 to -0.06, p < .05), regardless of adjusting for self-regulation variables and other covariates. Difficulties in total self-regulation (β = -0.01, p < .001) and emotion regulation (β = -0.02, p < .001) magnified the negative associations between depressive symptoms and satisfaction with performing daily activities. Using self-regulation and emotion regulation strategies may be a target for just-in-time intervention for reducing the momentary associations between depressive symptoms and satisfaction with performing daily activities poststroke. Plain-Language Summary: Depressive symptoms have immediate and real-time associations with lower levels of participation in daily activities in people with stroke. Self-regulation, including cognitive regulation (e.g., goal setting, planning strategies), behavioral regulation (e.g., controlling impulsive behaviors), and emotion regulation (e.g., managing negative feelings), may be an intervention target for reducing the immediate associations between depressive symptoms and lower levels of participation poststroke. Thus, we investigated whether difficulties in self-regulation variables magnify the negative real-time associations between depressive symptoms and participation poststroke. To obtain real-time data on difficulties in self-regulation variables, depressive symptoms, and participation (i.e., performance and satisfaction), we asked 39 community-dwelling people with stroke to answer smartphone surveys. The results showed that difficulties in total self-regulation and emotion regulation magnified the negative associations between depressive symptoms and satisfaction with performing daily activities. Our findings suggest that self-regulation and emotion regulation strategies may be a target for real-time intervention for reducing the momentary associations between depressive symptoms and satisfaction with performing daily activities poststroke.

Tri-Level Anxiety and Depression Symptom Trajectory in Adolescents:the Role of Emotion Regulation Diversity

Anxiety and depression are associated with impaired emotion regulation (ER). Recently, a novel construct named ER diversity has been proposed to assess the diversity in ER strategy use. Low ER diversity, particularly under stressful circumstances, may be a transdiagnostic vulnerability factor for anxiety and depression. This study utilized a longitudinal design to examine the association between ER diversity and transdiagnostic anxiety and depressive symptom trajectory in adolescents (N = 627 at baseline), while accounting for life stress. Measures of ER strategy use, chronic interpersonal life stress, neuroticism, and transdiagnostic dimensional symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed. The ER diversity index and the traditional ER sum score were computed. Higher ER diversity index was associated with steeper decline in the Fears symptom factor over time, above and beyond the ER sum score and neuroticism. Moreover, chronic interpersonal life stress influenced these associations. When chronic interpersonal life stress was low, Fears declined over time regardless of the ER diversity level; when chronic interpersonal life stress was high, Fears only declined when ER diversity was high. Thus, low diversity in ER strategy use, particularly under stressful circumstances, may be a vulnerability factor for fear symptom development.

Investigation into nurses’ emotion regulation while causing pain to adult patients during burns dressing changes: a qualitative study

BackgroundBurns can cause patients significant pain at the time of injury and during subsequent treatment. Other people’s pain often elicits empathic responses in observers. However, effective emotion regulation strategies are needed to manage personal distress, which may otherwise inhibit helping behaviour. MethodsThis study used an interpretative qualitative approach to conduct semi-structured interviews with burns nurses. Interviews explored emotion regulation strategies used by nurses whilst causing pain to adult patients during burns dressing changes. Transcripts were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six stages of thematic analysis. ResultsEight burns nurses participated in the interviews. Thematic analysis developed five themes: Emotions get in the way of being a good nurse; Pain’s an inevitable and justifiable part of treatment and healing; If I’m not made aware of the pain, maybe there is no pain; The pain’s due to other factors, not my actions; and Sometimes it’s too much. ConclusionBurns nurses’ attempts at regulating their emotions were influenced by their beliefs about what makes a ‘good’ nurse. Gross’s model of emotion regulation provides a useful framework for understanding these strategies, but further research is needed into the helpfulness of them for nurses and patients.

Emotion regulation mediates the relation between intolerance of uncertainty and emotion difficulties: A longitudinal investigation.

Intolerance of uncertainty has been proposed as a transdiagnostic factor in emotional disorders. Despite comprehensive empirical evidence demonstrating the association between intolerance of uncertainty and emotional disorders, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Drawing on theoretical frameworks and empirical studies, the current study proposed that emotion regulation emerges as a potential mechanism. We explored the connections among intolerance of uncertainty, eight emotion regulation strategies (both adaptive and maladaptive), and emotional difficulties (specifically anxiety and depression) using a three-wave longitudinal approach (N = 341). Our findings revealed that heightened intolerance of uncertainty predicted increased anxiety but not depression over time. Greater intolerance of uncertainty significantly predicted elevated levels of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies including experiential avoidance, thought suppression, rumination, and reassurance-seeking. Adaptive strategies (i.e., mindfulness, cognitive reappraisal, problem-solving) predicted lower anxiety and/or depression whereas maladaptive emotion regulation strategy rumination predicted greater levels of anxiety and depression. Surprisingly, thought suppression predicted lower levels of anxiety and depression. More importantly, our analysis showed that both rumination and thought suppression served as significant mediators in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and both anxiety and depression. These results hold implications for future interventions, emphasising rumination and thought suppression as potential targets for interventions aimed at alleviating emotional difficulties in individuals with intolerance of uncertainty.

Overparenting and adolescent's trait anxiety: Unraveling the roles of basic psychological needs frustration and emotion dysregulation.

Parental involvement is widely recognized for its beneficial impact on child development. However, helicopter parenting, as an excessive and developmentally inappropriate involvement, can lead to significant mental health challenges. While the general effects of overparenting on well-being have been well-documented, its specific underlying mechanisms are still underexplored. The present study aimed to examine the serial mediating roles of basic psychological needs (BPN) frustration and emotion dysregulation in the link between helicopter parenting and trait anxiety among 391 adolescents chosen via convenience sampling. The results of structural equation modeling revealed that helicopter parenting significantly predicted higher levels of trait anxiety (β=0.367, p<.01). Furthermore, the indirect effect of helicopter parenting on trait anxiety was statistically significant through the serial mediation of BPN frustration and emotion dysregulation (β=0.134, p<.01). In fact, over-controlling parenting can lead to frustration of adolescents' BPN and, in turn, restricted access to effective emotion regulation strategies, which may ultimately increase trait anxiety among adolescents. These findings underscore the critical need for balanced parental involvement to foster healthy psychological development of adolescents.

Diminished negative emotion regulation through affect labeling and reappraisal: insights from functional near infrared spectroscopy on lateral prefrontal cortex activation

BackgroundReappraisal, an emotion regulation strategy, includes reinterpretation and affect labeling involving verbalizing emotions. In general, reappraisal is supported by lateral prefrontal cortical regions, which are also known to underlie cognitive regulation. Other research has shown that affect labeling combined with reappraisal of negative emotions increases lateral prefrontal cortex activity more than reappraisal alone does, suggesting that affect labeling facilitates emotional regulation. However, the influence of affect labeling on the efficacy of reappraisal in reducing subjective negative emotions has not been determined.MethodsIn the experiment, 35 participants (mean age = 28.2 years (SD = 9.63); 12 women and 23 men) viewed vignettes that aroused negative emotion. Then, they rated subjective negative emotions as baseline values. Following the baseline rating, the task branched into four conditions, combining affect labeling and emotion regulation factors. In the affect-labeling factor, participants selected emotional labels consistent with their own emotions or not. Regarding the emotion regulation factor, participants engaged in reappraisal to regulate their negative emotions. Throughout the experiment, the intensity of negative emotions was measured three times, mirroring the baseline measurement. Oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) signal values in prefrontal cortex regions during tasks were measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy.ResultsDifferences between the subjective negative emotion ratings at baseline and after reappraisal indicated that reappraisal significantly reduced negative emotion with and without affect labeling (t (1173.05) = 29.97, p < 0.001), and the combination of affect labeling and reappraisal was less effective in regulating negative emotions at the subjective level than reappraisal without affect labeling (t (1172.03) = 3.15, p < 0.01). Additionally, there was an increase in OxyHb signal in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal and right ventral prefrontal cortices while participants performed reappraisal with affect labeling.ConclusionOur findings suggest that affect labeling, when performed prior to cognitive reappraisal, may influence the process of negative emotion regulation in complex ways. The interaction between affect labeling and reappraisal appears to modulate prefrontal cortex activity, potentially reflecting changes in cognitive processing during emotion regulation attempts. These results highlight the need for further investigation into the intricate relationship between different emotion regulation strategies.