Two emotion regulation strategies—cognitive reappraisal and acceptance—are both associated with beneficial psychological health outcomes over time. However, it remains unclear whether these 2 strategies are associated with differential consequences for emotion, physiology, or perceived cognitive costs in the short-term. The present study used a within-subjects design to examine the effects of reappraisal (reframing one’s thoughts) and acceptance (accepting feelings without trying to control or judge them) on the subjective experience of negative emotions, positive emotions, and physiological responses during and following recovery from sad film clips shown in the laboratory. Participants also reported on perceived regulatory effort, difficulty, and success after deploying each emotion regulation strategy. In 2 samples of participants (N = 142), reappraisal (vs. acceptance) was associated with larger decreases in negative and larger increases in positive emotions, both during the film clips and recovery period. However, acceptance was perceived as less difficult to deploy than reappraisal, and was associated with a smaller dampening of skin conductance level (indicating more successful regulation) during the film clips in 1 sample. These results suggest that reappraisal and acceptance may exert differential short-term effects: Whereas reappraisal is more effective for changing subjective experiences in the short term, acceptance may be less difficult to deploy and be more effective at changing one’s physiological response. Thus, these 2 strategies may both be considered “effective” for different reasons.

Introduction In an attempt to capture clinically meaningful cognitive decline in early dementia, we developed the Cognitive‐Functional Composite (CFC). We investigated the CFC's sensitivity to decline in comparison to traditional clinical endpoints. Methods This longitudinal construct validation study included 148 participants with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, or mild dementia. The CFC and traditional tests were administered at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Sensitivity to change was investigated using linear mixed models and r2 effect sizes. Results CFC scores declined over time (β = −.16, P < .001), with steepest decline observed in mild Alzheimer's dementia (β = −.25, P < .001). The CFC showed medium‐to‐large effect sizes at succeeding follow‐up points (r2 = .08‐.42), exhibiting greater change than the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (r2 = .02‐.12). Moreover, change on the CFC was significantly associated with informant reports of cognitive decline (β = .38, P < .001). Discussion By showing sensitivity to decline, the CFC could enhance the monitoring of disease progression in dementia research and clinical practice.

Introduction: In an attempt to capture clinically meaningful cognitive decline in early dementia, we developed the Cognitive-Functional Composite (CFC). We investigated the CFC's sensitivity to decline in comparison to traditional clinical endpoints. Methods: This longitudinal construct validation study included 148 participants with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. The CFC and traditional tests were administered at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Sensitivity to change was investigated using linear mixed models and R2 effect-sizes. Results: CFC scores declined over time (β=-.16,p <.001), with steepest decline observed in mild Alzheimer's dementia (β=-.25,p <.001). The CFC showed medium-to-large effect-sizes at succeeding follow-up points (R2=.08-.42), exhibiting greater change than the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (R2=.02-.12). Moreover, change on the CFC was significantly associated with informant reports of cognitive decline (β=.38,p<.001). Discussion: By showing sensitivity to decline, the CFC could enhance the monitoring of disease progression in dementia research and clinical practice.