Appraisal shifts during reappraisal

Abstract

How might we model the processes involved in regulating emotions via reappraisal? In two complementary studies, we tested the idea that reappraisal effects on emotion are mediated by shifts along appraisal dimensions. In an experimental Study 1, 437 students recalled a recent distressing event and rated their appraisals and emotions before and after using reappraisal to feel less negative about the event. Between 19% and 49% of changes to different emotions were statistically mediated by shifts along ten appraisal dimensions. Latent profile analyses suggested that the appraisal shifts reflected four distinct reappraisal tactics. These findings were conceptually replicated in a second intensive longitudinal study, where 168 participants rated their appraisals and emotions in relation to maximum of 3 emotional events for 7 days, first within an hour of the event and again in the evening when they also reported on emotion regulation use (1142 observations). Between 22% and 46% of changes to different emotions accompanying reappraisal use were mediated by shifts along appraisal dimensions. Appraisal shifts were significantly less relevant for otherwise regulated and spontaneous emotion changes. Relative to Study 1, the latent profile analyses of Study 2 revealed two similar and four novel reappraisal tactics reflecting a broader set of events. Across both studies, all appraisal dimensions were involved in at least one tactic and no dimension was involved in all of them, highlighting the importance of appraisal profiles. These findings suggest that appraisal shift profiles can be part of a useful model of cognitive processes underlying reappraisal.

Reappraisal

“…If appraisal shifts can capture the substance of reappraisal, they should statistically mediate the impact of reappraisal on emotion. This is indeed what we have found (Uusberg et al, 2021). Participants reported how they appraised and felt about recent distressing events before as well as after using reappraisal.…”

Occurrent beliefs about emotions predict emotion regulation in everyday life.

“…What does it mean to experience an intense emotion? One possibility is that emotional intensity can be deconstructed into more granular components which include occurrent beliefs, appraisal dimensions (Uusberg et al, 2021), and perhaps several other factors. Thus, for example, an unhelpful emotion that interferes with one’s ability to engage in a desired action (e.g., anxiety that makes a person stammer every time they try to ask their crush out on a date) may be harder to ignore, which makes it appear more intense because it dominates so much of one’s awareness, instead of the other way around.…”

When We’re Asked to Change: The Role of Suppression and Reappraisal in Partner Change Outcomes

“…Third, while our research demonstrates that reappraisal is linked to more change progress and ideal partner overlap, our data does not explore the content of participants’ reappraisals. Recent research demonstrates that different ways of cognitively reframing experiences can differentially impact emotion outcomes ( McRae et al, 2012 ; Uusberg et al, 2021 ). For example, targets may attempt to reappraise the situation (e.g., view their partner’s request as an opportunity for growth) which may promote motivation to change and greater success over time.…”