Ling Gong1,2, Wen Li3, Dajun Zhang1, Detlef H Rost1,4. 1. a Center for Mental Health Education, School of Psychology , Southwest University , No. 2 Tiansheng Road, BeiBei District, Chongqing 400715 , China. 2. b Psychological Consultation Center , East China Jiaotong University , Changbei Open and Developing District, Nanchang , Jiangxi 330013 , China. 3. c ShenZhen (NanShan) Concord College of Sino-Canada , NO. 166 NanGuang Road, NanShan District, ShenZhen , 518052 , China. 4. d Department Child and Youth Psychology, Faculty of Psychology , Philipps-Universität Marburg , Gutenbergstr. 18, 35043 Marburg , Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Few studies related to the impact of different emotion regulation strategies on anxiety have used externally and ecologically valid emotion-eliciting stimuli or Eastern populations. The present study compares the effects of reappraisal, suppression, and acceptance on anxiety induced by a simulated job interview in a Chinese sample. METHODS:Eighty-two subjects were randomly assigned to one of four instructions: reappraisal, suppression, acceptance, or no-regulation strategies during a simulated job interview. Anxiety was assessed with an observer-based behavior rating scale during the interview and the State Anxiety Inventory before, during, and after the interview. RESULTS: A repeated-measures MANOVA indicated a significantly greater reduction in anxiety in the reappraisal and acceptance groups compared to the control group during the interview (reappraisal: d = 1.42; acceptance: d = 1.30; each p < .001), but not during the recovery stage. The suppression and control group did not differ in any stage. Suppression led to a higher (pmax < .04) anxiety than reappraisal/acceptance in the anticipation (d = 0.65/0.68), interview (d = 0.87/0.79), and recovery stages (d = 0.94/1.03). No significant differences were found between reappraisal and acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: In Chinese students reappraisal and acceptance seem to be more effective anxiety regulation strategies than suppression.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Few studies related to the impact of different emotion regulation strategies on anxiety have used externally and ecologically valid emotion-eliciting stimuli or Eastern populations. The present study compares the effects of reappraisal, suppression, and acceptance on anxiety induced by a simulated job interview in a Chinese sample. METHODS: Eighty-two subjects were randomly assigned to one of four instructions: reappraisal, suppression, acceptance, or no-regulation strategies during a simulated job interview. Anxiety was assessed with an observer-based behavior rating scale during the interview and the State Anxiety Inventory before, during, and after the interview. RESULTS: A repeated-measures MANOVA indicated a significantly greater reduction in anxiety in the reappraisal and acceptance groups compared to the control group during the interview (reappraisal: d = 1.42; acceptance: d = 1.30; each p < .001), but not during the recovery stage. The suppression and control group did not differ in any stage. Suppression led to a higher (pmax < .04) anxiety than reappraisal/acceptance in the anticipation (d = 0.65/0.68), interview (d = 0.87/0.79), and recovery stages (d = 0.94/1.03). No significant differences were found between reappraisal and acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: In Chinese students reappraisal and acceptance seem to be more effective anxiety regulation strategies than suppression.
Authors: Linda P Juang; Ursula Moffitt; Su Yeong Kim; Richard M Lee; José Angel Soto; Eric Hurley; Robert S Weisskirch; Shelley A Blozis; Linda G Castillo; Que-Lam Huynh; Susan Krauss Whitbourne Journal: J Adolesc Date: 2016-09-03