(PS1-42) Emotion Regulation Strategies and Their Effects on Worry

Abstract Text: Worry is recognized as a cognitive trait of anxiety, characterized by a sequence of thoughts and mental images that carry negative emotions and are difficult to control (Borkovec et al., 1983). This persistent worry is closely linked to difficulties in emotion regulation, the process through which individuals influence the experience and expression of emotions (Gross, 2002). Research has shown that emotion regulation is often dysregulated in individuals with mood and anxiety disorders, leading to heightened and prolonged negative emotional states (Aldao et al., 2010). Thus, the inability to effectively regulate emotions may exacerbate worry, creating a cycle where intrusive thoughts and emotional distress reinforce one another. Building on prior research, we investigated self-reported reappraisal, an adaptive emotion regulation strategy involving the reframing of emotionally charged situations, and punishment, a maladaptive strategy characterized by self-criticism to control unwanted thoughts, to explore how these strategies influence the relationship between worry and emotion regulation. Additionally, we examined sex differences to gain insight into how they may moderate these relationships.

A sample of 79 participants (45% female; M = 19.44 years, SD = 1.82; 73.4% Caucasian; 73.4% % Non-Hispanic/Non-Chicano/Non-Spanish Origin) completed the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ; Meyer et al., 1990), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire: Reappraisal subscale (Gross & John, 2003) and the Thought Control Questionnaire: Punishment subscale (Wells & Davis, 1994). Regression was used to analyze the hypotheses.

A multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the effects of reappraisal and punishment on worry. The overall model was statistically significant, R2 = .206, F(3, 74) = 6.41, p <.001. Reappraisal significantly predicted worry, β = −0.57, t(74) = −2.58, p = .012, with higher levels of reappraisal associated with lower levels of worry. Punishment also significantly predicted worry, β = 1.66, t(74) = 2.69, p = .009, with high punishment associated with higher levels of worry. Lastly, there was no moderating effect of sex differences on reappraisal and punishment. However, females were significantly associated with greater worry than males, β = 9.10, t(74) = 2.55, p = .013.

The findings suggest that individuals who engage in reappraisal experience reduced worry, while punishment leads to an increase in worry symptoms. Additionally, females reported more worry symptoms than males. These findings underscore the importance of adaptive emotion regulation, such as reappraisal, in reducing worry, while highlighting the harmful effects of self-criticism on anxiety-related distress. They also suggest that reducing reliance on punitive strategies may help alleviate distress for both males and females.