Emotion System Regulation: Concordance, Dynamics, and Time Scales

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Emotion regulation (ER) refers to the mechanisms that effect change in the qualities of emotional processes. Individual differences in ER are central to intra- and inter-personal psychosocial functioning. Thus, understanding ER, individual differences in ER, how ER develops, and how ER functions in day-to-day life is crucial. The long-term objective of my research program is to provide deeper understanding of ER processes from childhood through adulthood through both theory and methods. The short-term objectives for the next 5 years are to better understand ER as both an intra- and inter-individual process using 3 approaches that hold the most promise for the field: (1) Emotion system concordance – the mutual amplification among physiological arousal, cognitive appraisals, and behavioural expressions of emotion. (2) Emotion dynamics – the rise and fall of or switching among emotional states (i.e., emotional flexibility). (3) Time scales – emotional dynamics occurring moment-to-moment, day-to-day, and year-to-year. This research is guided by 5 primary research questions: What is ER? How do dynamic physiological, cognitive, and behavioural processes interact and change as a function of ER? How do intra- and inter-personal ER processes relate to one another? How do ER processes at different time scales (e.g., moment-to-moment, day-to-day, year-to-year) relate to one another? How do all of these processes relate to individual differences in psychosocial functioning across the lifespan?******Three studies are proposed. The Concordance Study will test two hypotheses about why concordance has been difficult to demonstrate empirically in a sample of 120 undergraduates. The Emotion Dynamics Study will examine interpersonal emotional flexibility, within and across positive and negative discussions, and compare this flexibility between 60 adolescent (ages 14-16) and undergraduate best friend dyads. The Time Scale study is an annual (years 2-5) examination of real-time emotional dynamics (flexibility) observed in the lab and self-reported emotion and ER recorded via smartphone several times a day for two weeks a year in three age groups of 60 participants each: adolescents (aged 12-14), undergraduates (aged 18-20), and adults (aged 35-50). As part of high-quality HQP training, the proposed outcomes are to test and further refine theoretical models, address 5 research questions in high-impact publications, and develop and disseminate innovative methods for studying emotional processes. This research program will provide important understanding of ER that impacts all Canadians.