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Published on: February 11, 2017
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Motivational Intensity in Emotion Regulation
Tony Gutentag1,2, Elise K Kalokerinos3, Yael Millgram1,2
1Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|September 11, 2024
Summary
Higher motivational intensity, the drive to improve emotions, leads to better emotion regulation and psychological health. This study highlights its importance for emotional well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Emotional Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Emotion regulation is adaptive but challenging, often requiring effort.
- Existing research focuses on emotion regulation goals (content), not the intensity of pursuit (intensity).
- Motivational intensity's role in emotion regulation remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of motivational intensity on emotion regulation behaviors and outcomes.
- To assess and manipulate motivational intensity in daily life emotion regulation.
Main Methods:
- Studies 1-2 involved assessing motivational intensity in participants (N=160, N=157).
- Study 3 manipulated motivational intensity in participants (N=250).
- Data collected through daily life assessments and experimental manipulation.
Main Results:
- Increased motivational intensity correlated with more intense emotion-regulatory behaviors.
- Higher motivational intensity led to more positive emotional experiences.
- Greater motivational intensity was associated with improved psychological health.
- Experimental manipulation of motivational intensity enhanced emotion-regulatory behaviors and psychological health, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusions:
- Motivational intensity is a crucial, yet understudied, factor in effective emotion regulation.
- Enhancing motivational intensity can promote emotional well-being and adaptive emotional functioning.
- Findings underscore the significance of the drive behind emotion regulation efforts.
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