Emotion Regulation and Psychological Capital of Chinese University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Serial Mediation Effect of Learning Satisfaction and Learning Engagement

Abstract

The mediating mechanism between the emotion regulation and psychological capital of university students is currently unclear. This study analyzed the serial mediation of learning satisfaction and learning engagement on the relationship between the emotion regulation and psychological capital of university students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A total of 328 undergraduates and postgraduates from universities in different regions of China were surveyed through an online questionnaire. The tools used in the study were the emotion regulation questionnaire, university student learning satisfaction questionnaire, learning engagement questionnaire, and psychological capital questionnaire. The analysis revealed both direct and indirect mediation effects. It was found that emotion regulation can positively predict psychological capital. Further, learning satisfaction and learning engagement can act as mediating variables between emotion regulation and psychological capital, respectively. Learning satisfaction and learning engagement can also have a serial mediation effect between emotion regulation and psychological capital. The results show that learning support should be strengthened to improve the learning satisfaction and learning engagement of students and, consequently, enhance their psychological capital.

Boosting teacher work engagement: the mediating role of psychological capital through emotion regulation

“…The empirical landscape further bolsters the association between emotion regulation strategies, such as reappraisal and cognitive reappraisal, and elevated levels of psychological capital ( Tang and He, 2022 ). In line with existing literature ( Joo et al, 2016 ; Roemer and Harris, 2018 ), our study underscores the well-established relationship between psychological capital and work engagement.…”

“…Recent research evidence has shown that effective emotion regulation strategies, such as reappraisal and cognitive reappraisal, positively relate to higher levels of psychological capital ( Tang and He, 2022 ). By managing emotions adaptively, individuals are better equipped to build their resilience, maintain a positive outlook, and develop a sense of self-efficacy and hope ( Mónico et al, 2016 ).…”

role of learning-related emotions, emotion regulation and technology acceptance in learner engagement with online professional development

“…Gross (1998) defined emotion regulation as the process through which people decide what emotions to feel, how they experience these emotions and what they do to express and control their emotions. Emotion regulation can shape learning experiences by enabling learners to increase positive and reduce negative emotions, thereby maintaining motivation for learning and improving performance (Bielak & Mystkowska-Wiertelak, 2020;Pekrun et al, 2011;Pekrun & Stephens, 2009;Tang & He, 2022). Gross (2001) proposed two predominant emotion regulation strategies: cognitive reappraisal (reappraisal) and expressive suppression (suppression).…”

Network analysis of affect, emotion regulation, psychological capital, and resilience among Chinese males during the late stage of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Affect, which comprises positive and negative affect ( 30 , 31 ), is closely related to PsyCap and psychological resilience ( 32–35 ). Emotion regulation refers to the capacity to manage and express emotions ( 36 , 37 ) and reflects anticipation, reactivity, and adaptation occurring after life events ( 38 ). According to the personal resource theory, positive affect is promoted by successful emotion regulation and consequently leads to the accumulation of PsyCap ( 36 ).…”

“…Emotion regulation refers to the capacity to manage and express emotions ( 36 , 37 ) and reflects anticipation, reactivity, and adaptation occurring after life events ( 38 ). According to the personal resource theory, positive affect is promoted by successful emotion regulation and consequently leads to the accumulation of PsyCap ( 36 ). Moreover, effective emotion regulation was found to promote PsyCap and reduce psychological impairment caused by the pandemic ( 39 ).…”