Does Emotion Regulation Flexibility Work? Investigating the Effectiveness of Regulatory Selection Flexibility in Managing Negative Affect

Regulatory selection flexibility—the ability to flexibly choose emotion regulation strategies that are appropriate dynamic contextual demands—has been theorized as a critical component of adaptive emotional functioning. Despite this, little research has investigated whether individual differences in regulatory flexibility influence real-time experiences. The current study aimed test the effectiveness reducing negative affect while exposed emotion-eliciting stimuli. Using behavioral task, participants viewed images differed intensity and selected between engagement cognitive change (reappraisal) or attentional disengagement (distraction) manage their responses. Negative was rated immediately before after period, index experience. Greater associated with greater reductions affect. Our findings offer preliminary evidence for immediate psychological benefit highlight some promising avenues future research.