Publication Date

2025

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Orcutt, Holly Kay

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Psychology

Abstract

Emotion regulation is a critical mechanism in the study of many forms of psychopathology. It is widely believed that maladaptive emotion regulation strategies (e.g., emotional suppression) may contribute to the development and maintenance of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Conversely, engaging in adaptive emotion regulation strategies (e.g., cognitive reappraisal) is suggested to be a crucial mechanism of change in some forms of treatment for PTSD. Therefore, understanding how emotion regulation strategies modulate stress response is critical. Much of the prior literature on emotion regulation in PTSD is cross-sectional and, therefore, cannot examine momentary emotion regulation and its immediate sequelae. Hence, the usage of an ecological momentary assessment methodology may allow for a greater understanding of the immediate consequences of emotion regulation strategies. The current study investigated the role of an adaptive (cognitive reappraisal) and a maladaptive (emotional suppression) emotion regulation strategy in the relationship between stress and negative affect utilizing an EMA methodology in a sample of undergraduates (N = 46). Results suggested that stress is positively predictive of negative affect. Additionally, cognitive reappraisal significantly negatively moderated that relationship such that higher cognitive reappraisal weakened the relationship between stress and negative affect. Further, emotional suppression significantly positively moderated that relationship such that higher emotional suppression strengthened the relationship between stress and negative affect. Post hoc analyses suggested that emotion regulation differed as a function of linear time, even when controlling for stress within timepoint. Hence, cognitive reappraisal was reaffirmed as a broadly adaptive emotion regulation strategy while emotional suppression was reaffirmed as a broadly maladaptive emotion regulation strategy. Further, the current study suggested a situational model of emotion regulation. Clinical and research implications are further discussed.

Extent

84 pages

Language

en

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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