Date of Award

Winter 12-2023

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Author's Department

Psychology

Degree Name

Master of Arts (AM/MA)

Degree Type

Thesis

Abstract

Emotion regulation (ER) flexibility is a rapidly evolving field within affective science. Current advances have identified context sensitivity as a leading method for measuring ER flexibility, largely focusing on affectivity and situational control as markers of context. In this study, we propose an innovative approach to expand the list of contextual features tied to ER flexibility by using a framework based on Perseverative Thinking (PT). We examined seven PT dimensions, including pleasantness, repetitiveness, self-focus, other-focus, certainty, controllability, and temporal orientation, along with six ER strategies: reappraisal, acceptance, problem solving, expressive suppression, distraction, and cognitive avoidance. Once a day over the course of ten days, 408 (Mage=19.55) college students completed an experimental paradigm that induced PT and ER, and reported momentary levels PT and ER. ER flexibility was measured via regression analyses measuring covariation between the seven PT dimensions with the six ER strategies. Results reveal that all PT dimensions (excluding certainty) predicted flexibility across the ER strategies. At the within person level, controllability was the most common predictors of variability, predicting change in reappraisal, acceptance, problem solving, and suppression. At the between person level, repetitiveness was the most common predictor of variability, predicting change across all ER strategies (excluding acceptance). We ran secondary analyses to test whether trait PT influenced these associations and found that elevated PT was a significant moderator of other focus. These findings highlight the need to explore novel contexts related to ER flexibility.

Language

English (en)

Chair and Committee

Renee J. Thompson

Committee Members

Tammy English, Michael Strube

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