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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
08:09
Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
Rapid emotion regulation after mood induction: age and individual differences
Mary Jo Larcom1, Derek M Isaacowitz
1Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-9110, USA.
Summary
Older adults better regulate emotions, especially those with lower anxiety and higher optimism. Rapid emotion regulation in older age leads to sustained positive mood, unlike in younger adults.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- Emotion regulation strategies may change across the lifespan.
- Previous research suggests age-related improvements in emotion regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age and individual differences in online emotion regulation.
- To examine emotion regulation following a negative mood induction.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of younger and older adults.
- Negative mood induction protocol.
- Assessment of emotion regulation speed and effectiveness.
- Measurement of mood changes over time.
Main Results:
- Older adults demonstrated more rapid emotion regulation than younger adults.
- Rapid emotion regulators in older age showed lower anxiety, depression, and higher optimism.
- Older rapid regulators maintained positive affect longer than young adult rapid regulators.
Conclusions:
- Age is associated with differences in the speed of emotion regulation.
- Individual differences, such as trait anxiety and optimism, moderate emotion regulation in older adults.
- Rapid emotion regulation in older adults is linked to sustained positive affect.
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