It’s all about beliefs: Believing emotions are uncontrollable is linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression through cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the link between personal beliefs about emotion controllability and symptoms anxiety depression, with a particular focus on mediating role regulation. To date, there has been little research examining cognitive reappraisal or expressive suppression in anxiety. Online questionnaires measuring regulation, controllability, depression anxiety, were completed by 1227 participants (n = 336 males; M age 25.3, SD 10.1; range 16 83 years). results indicated that perceived control over one’s own emotions predicted better psychological health (fewer depression). This heath partially mediated suppression, predicting reduction clinical an increase symptoms. These findings suggest individuals’ leads use certain regulation strategies which turn, have important consequences for health.