Self-efficacy beliefs in managing positive emotions: Associations with positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction across gender and ages

Abstract

Two studies were carried out on a Spanish population to explore the extent to which different self-efficacy beliefs in managing positive emotions are associated with common indicators of wellbeing, such as positive and negative affect or life satisfaction. The first study was conducted on 483 participants and attested to the factorial structure of three different self-efficacy beliefs: (a) perceived self-efficacy in expressing positive emotions; (b) perceived self-efficacy in retrieving memories of positive emotional experiences; and (c) perceived self-efficacy in using humor. The second study was carried out on 1,087 individuals between 19 and 80 years of age, and it provided evidence of the factorial invariance of the scales across age and gender. Furthermore, this latter study showed the association of self-efficacy in managing positive affect (SEMPA) with high chronic positive and low negative affect, and with high life satisfaction, controlling for gender and age. In younger participants, stronger associations were found between perceived self-efficacy in using humor and life satisfaction compared to older subjects. These findings may guide the design of interventions aimed at enhancing the potential benefits that could be drawn from the proper management of positive emotions.

Intra‐ and interpersonal factors and adolescent wellbeing during COVID‐19 in three countries

“…Regulatory self‐efficacy. Regulatory self‐efficacy was assessed at T2 using four items from the Perceived Emotional Self‐Efficacy Scale (Caprara & Gerbino, 2001). The management of negative emotions scale (e.g., “overcome the frustration if others don't appreciate you as you would like”) was used, and ratings were on a 5‐point Likert scale ranging from 1 (‘ not at all capable’ ) to 5 (‘ entirely capable’ ).…”

Regulatory Emotional Self-efficacy and Prosocial Behavior: A Moderated Mediation Model

“…Based on the self-efficacy theory developed by Bandura, Caprara postulated the concept of regulatory emotional self-efficacy, and Caprara's self-efficacy beliefs analysis (Caprara & Gerbino, 2001) links RESE with social relationships in the same way as the latter with the regulation of affections (Mesurado et al, 2018). Inspired by the self-efficacy theory, this study examined whether interpersonal trust moderates the relationship between RESE and meaning in life among college students.…”

The role of emotion regulation for general self-efficacy in adolescents assessed through both neurophysiological and self-reported measures

“…[7][8][9][10][11] However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between ER and SE, and the development of adolescents' SE beliefs in general, are still poorly understood. 12 Studies on the relationship between SE and physiological measures has been conducted in conjunction with neuroanatomical studies on regional gray matter and mean diffusivity, and behavioral studies on phobias and fear conditioning. [13][14][15][16][17][18] In the behavioral studies, it was found that individuals who believe they can exert control over aversive events show less autonomic arousal than those who believe that they have less control.…”

“…19 Given the relationship between SE and ER, it is of interest to determine if SE beliefs are influenced by neurophysiological processes involved in ER. 12,[15][16][17] SE beliefs are traditionally considered to be influenced in four different ways. 15 The first three processes; mastery of experiences, role-modeling, and persuasion, are well researched and understood.…”

“…21,[46][47][48] The aim of this study is to assess the role of self-reported and neurophysiological indicators of ER on general SE in adolescents, thus covering a gap in the SE literature. 12 SE beliefs are considered to be influenced by one's own judgment about the experienced emotional and somatic states of arousal occurring in response to challenge exposure. 1,20 A previous study found that vagal tone moderated the relationship between psychosocial stressors and psychopathology in adolescents.…”