Low Negative Emotionality Research Articles

The effects of Chinese calligraphic handwriting education on positive mental characters and academic emotions in Chinese primary school students

The current research tested the relationship between Chinese calligraphic handwriting (CCH) education and student academic emotions. Using a quasi-experimental, cross-sectional design, we recruited 448 third- to sixth-grade students, and about half of them (N = 228) come from a CCH specialist school and the other half (N = 220) from a general primary school. We examined the relations between CCH education and student outcomes in two ways: comparing the means of academic emotions between the two groups and investigating the associations between the CCH level of the CCH students (rated by CCH teachers) and their academic emotions. Results showed that compared with the control group, CCH group had a higher level of positive low arousal of academic emotions. Within the CCH group, however, more significant associations were found between CCH level and student outcomes. We further found the interaction effect of CCH level and positive mental characters on academic emotions, specifically, the positive low arousal and negative high arousal academic emotions. Limitations and implications of the study were discussed.

Commonalities and differences in strategies for regulating motivation and emotion in academic settings: A within-person approach

BackgroundMotivation and emotion form important pillars of students’ educational experiences and, while representing distinguishable constructs, are closely intertwined. Consequently, it can be assumed that their regulation may be governed by similar mechanisms as well. From a theoretical perspective, MR and ER strategy taxonomies do contain overlap, particularly among strategies involving reappraisals of personal competencies, but also unique (i.e., non-overlapping) strategies. Empirically, however, motivational regulation (MR) and emotion regulation (ER) have had little intersection in prior research and stem from rather disconnected research traditions. AimsBuilding on previous work on the functional interplay between students’ motivation and emotion, we examined similarities and differences in MR and ER strategies and tested the assumption that MR strategies are also used to regulate emotions, and ER strategies to regulate motivation, in study situations. SampleParticipants were 1,466 university students. MethodUsing a within-person design, students reported on their use of various strategies for managing regulatory problems involving either low motivation or negative emotions (anxiety, boredom). ResultsUsing CFA and latent difference modeling, we found that strategy use was strongly correlated and differed little in terms of mean levels across motivational and emotional regulation problems. These correlations were even stronger, and mean differences smaller, than those found for regulatory problem distinctions within motivational and emotional problems. ConclusionsThe findings indicate that many designated MR and ER strategies as distinguished in current taxonomies may be relevant for managing both motivational and emotional problems and underscore the need for joint theoretical perspectives on MR and ER.

Exploring latent profiles in the relationship between learning atmosphere, negative emotions, and willingness to communicate among EFL learners

ABSTRACT The learning atmosphere, negative emotions, and willingness to communicate are pivotal in shaping learners’ experiences and fostering language proficiency. However, further exploration into these dynamics remains limited. Therefore, this study investigated latent profiles within English as a foreign language (EFL) learner and examined how they differ in terms of the relationships between the learning atmosphere, negative emotions, and willingness to communicate. A total of 591 EFL students from various universities across 19 provinces in China participated in the study. Using latent profile analysis, three distinct subgroups emerged: (1) a profile characterized by high learning atmosphere, very low negative emotions, and very high WTC; (2) a profile with moderate levels of learning atmosphere, negative emotions, and WTC; and (3) a profile marked by low learning atmosphere, high negative emotions, and moderately high WTC. The results underscore the significant positive impact of the learning atmosphere on WTC, alongside a marginal negative influence of negative emotions. These findings suggest tailored interventions and support strategies to cater to diverse learner needs, enhancing language learning environments effectively.

The use of multilevel emotion regulation strategies in the context of critical public events: the more the better?

Critical public events, like COVID-19, significantly impact individuals' emotional and mental health. People tend to use multi-level emotion regulation strategies (intrapersonal, interpersonal and hyper-personal) to cope with these events, resulting in various strategy profiles. However, few studies have examined ER strategies from a multilevel perspective. Therefore, this study examines the use of multi-level strategies during COVID-19, and evaluates the effectiveness of these strategies, with a particular interest in identifying strategy profiles promoting mental health. We conducted a two-wave study (an interval of 1 week) using online questionnaires during COVID-19, with an initial sample of 1,189 participants and 895 samples completing the surveys across the two waves. Cross-lagged analysis indicated that experiential avoidance was reciprocally positively related to negative emotions while perspective-taking and humorous-meme-saving were reciprocally positively related to life satisfaction or positive emotions over time. Cluster analysis suggested that there were 9 different profiles which scored differently on mental health indicators. Specifically, the use of multi-level strategies tended to be associated with greater positive emotions and life satisfaction while with lower negative emotions and loneliness. This study revealed that the use of multi-level strategies plays a protective role in mental health when facing critical public events. These findings expanded our understanding of how multilevel emotion regulation strategies impact mental health during critical public events and identify protective profiles for mental health.

Unlocking the Puzzle: Investigating Problem-Solving Patterns in 2D and 3D Virtual Reality Environments Through Mixed Methods Analysis

This research investigates the intricate relationship between problem-solving patterns and various factors, including demographics, cognitive style, learning styles, puzzle completion, and emotional and behavioral responses in the context of 2D and 3D virtual reality (VR) puzzle-solving tasks. The study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, where data were collected from 52 participants who voluntarily engaged in puzzle-solving activities in a VR environment. The first phase involved collecting quantitative data to determine the cognitive and learning styles of the participants. The second phase involved gathering qualitative data, including observations, audio, video, and screen recordings during puzzle-solving tasks. Findings revealed profound associations between problem-solving patterns and gender, education level, dominant hand, and previous VR experience. Notably, females tended to analyze puzzle pieces more thoroughly, and participants with higher education levels exhibited more remarkable analytical tendencies. The cognitive style also influenced problem-solving patterns for using two hands with a controller. Puzzle completion times were correlated with systematic/random arrangement, starting with big puzzle pieces and 3D localization skills. Emotional and behavioral responses were linked to problem-solving patterns, with systematic placement associated with lower negative emotions and higher joy, while random arrangement led to more negative emotions.

The double jeopardy of low family income and negative emotionality: The family stress model revisited.

The family stress model has, for decades, guided empirical work linking poverty with increased risk of child social-emotional dysfunction. The present study extends this line of work by examining whether child negative emotionality moderates associations between family income, family stress (maternal distress, parental locus of control, and relationship dissatisfaction), and later externalizing and internalizing behavior problems. In a longitudinal population-based sample (n ~ 80,000) of Norwegian children followed from birth through age five (The Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study; MoBa), we examined whether high (vs. moderate or low) negative emotionality families would display: (a) compounding stress (i.e., particularly strong associations between low family income and family stress), (b) diathesis-stress (i.e., particularly strong associations between family stress and behavior problems), or (c) double jeopardy (i.e., both compounding stress and diathesis-stress moderating effects). Negative emotionality significantly moderated the association between family income and behavior problems in a manner most consistent with double jeopardy. As a result, compared with children with moderate/low negative emotionality, the family income-behavior problems association was two to three times larger for those with higher negative emotionality. These findings underscore the active role children may play in family processes that link low family income with behavior problems.

To be (or not to be) elevated? Group membership, moral models, and prosocial behavior

ABSTRACT Recent findings suggest that people can experience feelings of moral elevation when witnessing uncommon moral virtue, and consequently being more prone to engage in prosocial behaviors. However, people can potentially perceive outstanding moral exemplars as a threat to their self-concept due to negative social comparison and consequently derogate them. This research aims to investigate the role of group membership in predicting moral elevation and prosocial intentions when witnessing outstanding moral exemplars. In three online studies, we showed participants a situation where a person from their ingroup (vs. outgroup) (i.e. same gender; same university; same nationality) helped a stranger and then measured their elevation feelings, negative emotions, and prosocial intentions. We predicted that when moral models are ingroup members, people will show higher elevation, lower negative emotions, and will be more prone to engage in prosocial behaviors as opposed to when moral models are outgroup members. Results partially supported our hypotheses.

Providing emotional support and daily emotional well-being among undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Receiving emotional support can improve one’s emotional well-being, but findings have been mixed regarding whether providing emotional support to friends and family can also improve the provider’s emotional well-being. Providing emotional support could be impactful during the COVID-19 pandemic, when individuals may be particularly in need of emotional support and social connection. Therefore, the present study assessed whether providing emotional support was related to role fulfillment and enhanced emotional well-being on a day-to-day basis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants ( N = 167; Mage = 20.42, SD = 2.30; 73.1% female; 40.1% Asian, 18. 6% Latinx, 16.8% white) completed up to eight daily checklists ( Mchecklists = 6.54, SD = 2.10) in which they reported whether they provided emotional support to their friends and to their parents, their role fulfillment (i.e., the extent to which they felt like a good son/daughter and friend), and the degree of positive and negative emotion they were feeling. Participants reported higher positive emotion and lower negative emotion on days when they provided emotional support to friends, but not to parents, with potentially stronger associations in-person than virtually. Participants also reported higher role fulfillment as a good son/daughter and a good friend on days when they provided emotional support, and role fulfillment significantly mediated associations between providing emotional support and daily emotion. Taken together, results suggested that providing emotional support to friends—particularly in-person—was related to better emotional well-being by promoting a sense of role fulfillment as a good friend. Providing emotional support may provide one means for reinforcing social relationships and promoting emotional well-being during times of social isolation.

The role of children’s emotion regulation and maternal emotion socialization in preschoolers’ behavioral difficulties during the COVID-19 lockdown

Turkey, like many countries, implemented protective measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. One such measure involved isolating young children to reduce virus transmission. However, this regulation presented parents with the challenging task of juggling work responsibilities while caring for their young children without the usual support from external resources. Given these difficult circumstances, young children may struggle with emotion regulation, while isolation can impede parents from effectively addressing their children’s negative emotions. This online study aims to examine the dynamic relationship between children’s emotion regulation ability and maternal emotion socialization capacity in predicting children’s behavioral difficulties. The study revealed a positive correlation between maternal punitive and minimizing emotion socialization reactions and children’s behavioral difficulties. However, this association was primarily observed in children with high negative emotionality and low effortful control. Notably, when children had low negative emotionality scores, maternal minimizing emotion socialization behaviors were negatively associated with their behavior problems. These findings support the idea that during stressful periods, such as a pandemic, the diathesis-stress model may become more applicable. It emphasizes the interaction between individuals’ vulnerabilities and environmental triggers leading to unfavorable outcomes, such as higher levels of children’s externalizing problems. These results underscore the importance of tailored intervention programs for parent-child dyads experiencing limited psychological resources during stressful events like a pandemic.

Teachers emotionally profit from positive school leadership: Applying the PERMA-Lead model to the control-value theory of emotions

Based on Pekrun's (2006) control-value theory (CVT) of achievement emotions, we investigated the antecedents of school teachers' emotions. We hypothesized that teachers' perception of positive leadership at school as assessed via PERMA-Lead, a leading style grounded in positive psychology, would lead to teachers' experiences of high positive and low negative teaching emotions. According to CVT, those relations should be mediated by teachers' perceptions of control and value of their work at school. We could confirm this mediation hypothesis based on a sample of n = 446 teachers. Implications for research and practice are outlined.

Workplace wellbeing in community pharmacy practice: A cross-sectional study in Can Tho, Vietnam.

Among pharmacy workers, low workplace wellbeing can lead to reduced effectiveness. However, to date, studies on this issue are limited within the community pharmacy setting in Vietnam. This study was conducted to identify the component aspects of workplace wellbeing and their associations with demographic characteristics. The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Can Tho, Vietnam. Self-administered questionnaires were hand-delivered to all pharmacy workers working at selected community pharmacies. The workplace wellbeing scale comprised 18 items. In total, 382 pharmacy workers participated in this study. Factor analysis revealed three fundamental aspects to workplace wellbeing: Factor 1 - perceived self-worth and job satisfaction, Factor 2 - positive emotions with work, and Factor 3 - negative emotions with work. Factor 1 showed a positive correlation with Factor 2, with a correlation coefficient (ρ) of 0.509, while both Factor 1 (ρ = -0.399) and Factor 2 (ρ = -0.416) demonstrated negative correlations with Factor 3. Higher income was associated with higher positive emotions with work (P = 0.008), higher perceived self-worth and job satisfaction (P = 0.013), and lower negative emotions with work (P < 0.001). Workplace wellbeing of pharmacy workers in their professional environments was associated with financial aspects. These findings suggest that policies aimed at improving income for pharmacy workers could bring benefits to enhancing job satisfaction and workplace wellbeing.

Distances and directions: An emotional journey into the recovery process.

Positive emotions stemming from leisure activities are often promoted as a way to achieve a state of recovery, in particular by counteracting negative emotions experienced throughout the workday. Yet the recovery literature frequently takes an undifferentiated view of both the positive emotions employees experience as well as the negative emotions employees are recovering from. This implicitly assumes that all positive emotions are equally effective in facilitating recovery from all negative emotions. Drawing from theory treating emotional movements as a metaphorical journey, we develop a framework for understanding recovery that highlights the importance of the distance and direction that individuals "travel" when moving from negative emotions to positive emotions during the recovery process. We argue that the negative emotions that people start with from work-that is, their emotional origin-as well as the positive emotions that people end with following leisure activities-that is, their emotional destination-jointly influence the state of being recovered. Across two studies using experience-sampling methodologies, we find that "shorter" journeys consisting of emotional destinations that match the activation level of emotional origins (e.g., experiencing high activation positive emotion [HAP] to counter high activation negative emotion) are effective in promoting recovery, while "longer" journeys consisting of mismatches (e.g., experiencing HAP to counter low activation negative emotion) are ineffective for recovery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Moderating Role of Cortisol and Negative Emotionality in the Effects of Classroom Size and Window View on Young Children's Executive Functions.

This study probed how baseline cortisol (BC), negative emotionality (NE), and environmental facets-classroom size and window view-interact to affect executive function (EF) in preschoolers using virtual reality (VR). In a cohort of 144 children aged 61-85 months, BC levels were measured by saliva assays and NE by parental surveys. Participants completed computerized EF assessments both pre- and post-exposure to one of four VR conditions, which varied by classroom size (large vs. small) and window view (natural vs. built). Due to missing data and outlier responses, three children were removed from the analyses. Regression analyses, accounting for initial EFs, revealed that higher BC was significantly associated with better Digit-span task scores in the nature view, while lower BC correlated with improved performance in the built view. With regard to classroom size, children with varying levels of NE benefitted from the large classroom environment, as evidenced by marginally significant improvements on the Corsi block task. However, higher NE children outperformed their lower NE peers in the large classroom, while a trend inverted in the small classroom context. The findings illuminate how the physical components of preschool environments may interact with children's physiological reactivity, potentially influencing the development of working memory.

Does early child negative emotionality moderate the association between maternal stimulation and academic readiness and achievement?

We investigated whether child temperament (negative emotionality, 5 months) moderated the association between maternal stimulation (5 months-2½ years) and academic readiness and achievement (vocabulary, mathematics, and reading). We applied structural equation modeling to the data from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (N = 1121-1448; mostly Whites; 47% girls). Compared to children with low negative emotionality, those with high negative emotionality had higher levels of academic readiness (6 years) and mathematics achievement (7 years) when exposed to high levels of maternal stimulation (β = 3.17, p < .01 and β = 2.91, p < .01, respectively). The results support the differential susceptibility model whereby highly emotionally negative children were more susceptible to the influences of low and high levels of maternal stimulation in academic readiness and mathematics achievement's developments.

Effects of different intervention methods on psychological flexibility, negative emotions and sleep quality in chronic hepatitis B.

Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) experience various problems, including low psychological flexibility, negative emotions, and poor sleep quality. Therefore, effective nursing interventions are required to reduce adverse events. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) combined with enabling cognitive-behavioral education (ECBE) can improve patients' psychological and sleep. Therefore, we speculate that this may also be effective in patients with CHB. To investigate the effects of different intervention methods on psychological flexibility, negative emotions, and sleep quality in patients with CHB. This retrospective study examined clinical and evaluation data of 129 patients with CHB. Intervention methods were divided into a conventional group (routine nursing, n = 69) and a combination group (ACT combined with ECBE, n = 60). We observed changes in psychological flexibility, negative emotions, sleep quality, and self-care ability in both groups. Observation items were evaluated using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-2nd Edition (AAQ-II), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale (ESCA). Compared with the conventional group, the AAQ-II score of the combined group was lower (Fbetween-group effect = 8.548; Ftime effects = 25.020; Finteraction effects = 52.930; all P < 0.001), the SAS score (t = 5.445) and SDS score (t = 7.076) were lower (all P < 0.001), as were the PSQI dimensions (tsleep quality = 4.581, tfall sleep time = 2.826, tsleep time = 2.436, tsleep efficiency = 5.787, tsleep disorder = 5.008, thypnotic drugs = 3.786, tdaytime dysfunction = 4.812); all P < 0.05). The ESCA scores for all dimensions were higher (thealth knowledge level = 6.994, tself-concept = 5.902, tself-responsibility = 19.820, tself-care skills = 8.470; all P < 0.001). ACT combined with ECBE in patients with CHB can improve psychological flexibility and sleep quality, alleviate negative emotions, and improve self-care.

Evidence for an emotional adaptive function of dreams: a cross-cultural study

The function of dreams is a longstanding scientific research question. Simulation theories of dream function, which are based on the premise that dreams represent evolutionary past selective pressures and fitness improvement through modified states of consciousness, have yet to be tested in cross-cultural populations that include small-scale forager societies. Here, we analyze dream content with cross-cultural comparisons between the BaYaka (Rep. of Congo) and Hadza (Tanzania) foraging groups and Global North populations, to test the hypothesis that dreams in forager groups serve a more effective emotion regulation function due to their strong social norms and high interpersonal support. Using a linear mixed effects model we analyzed 896 dreams from 234 individuals across these populations, recorded using dream diaries. Dream texts were processed into four psychosocial constructs using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC-22) dictionary. The BaYaka displayed greater community-oriented dream content. Both the BaYaka and Hadza exhibited heightened threat dream content, while, at the same time, the Hadza demonstrated low negative emotions in their dreams. The Global North Nightmare Disorder group had increased negative emotion content, and the Canadian student sample during the COVID-19 pandemic displayed the highest anxiety dream content. In conclusion, this study supports the notion that dreams in non-clinical populations can effectively regulate emotions by linking potential threats with non-fearful contexts, reducing anxiety and negative emotions through emotional release or catharsis. Overall, this work contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary significance of this altered state of consciousness.

The brief thriving scale: Assessing the ability to learn, grow, and find benefits in stressful events

While much research has focused on the ability to recover from the negative effects of stress, little has examined our potential for benefitting from stressful events. The current studies validated the Brief Thriving Scale (BTS), which assesses the ability to learn, grow, and benefit from stress. Participants were 855 undergraduate who completed the BTS, a battery of health-related measures, and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS; Smith et al., 2008), which assesses resilience as the ability to bounce back from stress. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated the construct validity of the BTS and correlation analyses supported convergent and divergent validity. Multiple regression analyses showed that the BTS was consistently related to better health when controlling for the BRS. While the BRS was a stronger predictor of negative mental health (e.g., lower negative emotion, depression), the BTS was a stronger predictor of positive mental health (e.g., higher positive emotion, meaning) and general physical health.

Emotions, perceived threat, prejudice, and attitudes towards helping Ukrainian, Syrian, and Somali asylum seekers.

Europe receives thousands of asylum seekers. This study examined whether European participants distinguish between European, Middle Eastern, and African asylum seekers in relation to positive and negative emotions, perceived threat, prejudice, and attitudes towards helping. The study also examined how these variables interrelate to influence each other. 287 participants were recruited from the UK and Malta. The study found that higher positive emotions and attitudes towards helping, and lower negative emotions, classical prejudice, and conditional prejudice were reported in relation to Ukrainian than Syrian or Somali asylum seekers. A mediation analysis was conducted to examine the interrelationship of these variables. Emotions and perceived threat had an indirect effect on attitudes towards helping, via prejudice. The effect of perceived threat was stronger than that of emotions. The study suggests that to improve people's openness towards helping asylum seekers, it is necessary to reduce the perception that asylum seekers are threatening.

Mindfulness mechanisms in everyday life: examining variance in acceptance, attention monitoring, decentering, self-compassion, and nonreactivity and their links to negative emotions among a workplace sample

ABSTRACT Theoretical work proposes that acceptance, attention monitoring, decentering, self-compassion, and nonreactivity are mechanisms that explain beneficial effects of mindfulness training. Yet, whether these mechanisms represent independent constructs and whether they naturally vary within person is unclear. This study examined whether mindfulness mechanisms represent independent constructs that naturally fluctuate within a person over time, and whether these fluctuations differentially relate to negative emotions. A sample of university staff employees (n = 143; 74.8% female; M ± SD age = 38.2 ± 10.9; 53.8% White) reported on mindfulness mechanisms and negative emotions five times a day for four days for a total of 2,122 assessments. Four distinct mechanisms emerged – acceptance-attention, decentering, self-compassion, nonreactivity – that exhibit substantial moment-to-moment variation. Greater acceptance-attention, self-compassion, and nonreactivity were associated with lower negative emotions; greater decentering was associated with higher negative emotions when examined concurrently with the other mechanisms. The unique associations of all mindfulness mechanisms with negative emotions, combined with their high levels of variability from moment to moment, suggest their potential as targets for mindfulness interventions to improve emotional well-being.

Too Positive to Be Tweeted? An Experimental Investigation of Emotional Expression on Twitter and Instagram

ABSTRACT The literature on emotional expression on Social Network Sites (SNSs) is still in its infancy. It is assumed that SNSs are subject to a positivity bias: individuals share positive aspects of their lives on SNSs rather than negative ones. However, sentiment analysis studies have shown that this bias might not be appropriate for all SNSs, particularly Twitter. This research aimed to understand how the emotions of a message impact the choice of the SNS used to publish it. Four pre-registered experimental studies were conducted (N = 449). Participants were presented with a message – text and image – and asked if it were most likely to be published on Twitter or Instagram. The emotional valence of this message was manipulated in experiments 1a and 1b, as well as emotional arousal in experiments 2a and 2b. The results indicated that Instagram was preferred for positive messages. But the platform was also chosen for messages displaying low negative emotions, such as boredom or lassitude. Twitter was associated with messages displaying highly negative emotions, such as anger or distress. This research emphasizes the social norms that govern both platforms and demonstrates the interdependence between SNSs architecture, user motivations, and social context.