Why dealing with emotions? Examining Gross' process model in light of self-determination theory

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal, expressive and experiential suppression) and mental well-being. It also examined if the motivation behind emotion regulation mediated the relationship between emotion regulation and mental well-being. A total of 103 individuals aged 18-55 (Mage =25.35; SD=6.43; 68% female) participated in this online cross-sectional study and responded to the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, motivation questionnaire developed based on Religious Internalization Index. Results indicated that cognitive reappraisal was positively related to ill-being, expressive suppression was negatively related to ill-being, and experiential suppression was unrelated to ill-being. We expected cognitive reappraisal to be relatively autonomous and both forms of suppression to be more controlled in its nature. Results showed no significant results, except experiential suppression. The mediation analysis showed that motivation does not mediate the relationship between emotion regulation and mental well-being. Due to lack of findings, no mediating effect was found, possibly because of research limitations in this current research. Current research findings implicate the importance of emotion regulation and recommend taking a closer view in treating psychopathologies in psychotherapies