Abstract
Reappraisal has typically been viewed as a unitary construct, without looking at the specific ways in which it can be realized.
Our main objective was to test a more ecological form of reappraisal, informed by cognitive behavioral therapy strategies
of change. We compared two types of emotional regulation strategies (positive reappraisal and negative functional reappraisal),
with each other and with a control condition. The primary outcome was negative emotion expression, but we also took into account
other outcomes such as positive emotion generation and irrational and rational beliefs. Ninety undergraduate students took
part in the study. Their task was to watch a distressful video, and subsequently practice one of the reappraisal or control
instructions. Our results indicate negative functional reappraisal to be the most efficient strategy in fostering reductions
in negative emotions, as well as in irrational beliefs. Also its efficiency appears mediated by changes in irrational beliefs.
Our main objective was to test a more ecological form of reappraisal, informed by cognitive behavioral therapy strategies
of change. We compared two types of emotional regulation strategies (positive reappraisal and negative functional reappraisal),
with each other and with a control condition. The primary outcome was negative emotion expression, but we also took into account
other outcomes such as positive emotion generation and irrational and rational beliefs. Ninety undergraduate students took
part in the study. Their task was to watch a distressful video, and subsequently practice one of the reappraisal or control
instructions. Our results indicate negative functional reappraisal to be the most efficient strategy in fostering reductions
in negative emotions, as well as in irrational beliefs. Also its efficiency appears mediated by changes in irrational beliefs.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s11031-012-9277-6
- Authors
- Ioana A. Cristea, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babes-Bolyai University, No. 37, Republicii St., 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Aurora Szentagotai Tatar, Department of Psychology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Diana Nagy, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babes-Bolyai University, No. 37, Republicii St., 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Daniel David, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babes-Bolyai University, No. 37, Republicii St., 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Journal Motivation and Emotion
- Online ISSN 1573-6644
- Print ISSN 0146-7239