Emotion Regulation Effectiveness: Sixteen Strategies in the Daily Lives of Estonians During COVID-19

Abstract

Emotion regulation is a central aspect of mental and physical health. To improve health we must understand emotion regulation strategies are effective. However, previous studies of emotion regulation are not always consistent. This thesis addresses this issue by investigating 16 regulation strategies via the experience sampling method in a sample of randomly selected 314 Estonians. Results show six emotion regulation strategies (sport, other, relaxation, substances, reconstrual, and socialisation) are associated with hedonistically desirable change in emotion and perceived success. This study is important because it highlights further gaps in the literature of emotion regulation and how future research would greatly benefit from standardised and validated ESM items which also explore the specific contexts where emotion regulation strategies are used.