Only reappraisers profit from reappraisal instructions: Effects of instructed and habitual reappraisal on stress responses during interpersonal conflicts

Abstract

Conflicts are an undesirable yet common aspect of daily interactions with wide-ranging negative consequences. The present research aimed to examine the buffering effect of experimentally instructed reappraisal on self-reported, physiological and behavioral stress indices during interpersonal conflicts, taking into account habitual emotion regulation strategies. For this, 145 participants experienced a standardized laboratory conflict with the instruction to either reappraise (n = 48), to suppress (n = 50), or with no instruction (n = 47) while cardiovascular and neuroendocrine measures were taken. Participants were allowed to eat sweet and salty snacks during the conflict situation. Prior to as well as after the conflict, participants reported on their subjective stress level. Reappraisal instructions were only effective for high habitual reappraisers who exhibited lower cardiovascular and cortisol reactivity and demonstrated fewer snack-eating behaviors under reappraisal instructions than under suppression or no instructions. The opposite pattern emerged for low habitual reappraisers. Neither experimentally instructed nor habitual reappraisal by itself reduced the negative effects of conflicts. Our findings complement the literature on the diverging effects of instructed reappraisal in tense social interactions.

Instructed reappraisal and cardiovascular habituation to recurrent stress

“…In the present study, individual differences in trait reappraisal did not moderate the relationship between stress responsivity and instructed reappraisal. Only a handful of studies have previously considered the interplay between trait and instructed reappraisal, with some evidence to suggest that the use of reappraisal may only be effective for individuals who regularly engage in this strategy (e.g., Mauersberger et al., 2018; Ortner et al., 2016), in terms of cortisol responding and self‐reported affect. However, considering that the reappraisal manipulation had little effect on CVR in the current sample, the potential moderating role of habitual reappraisal needs further examination.…”

“…Some research has shown that habitual reappraisal (as assessed by the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire; Gross & John, 2003) moderates the effects of instructed reappraisal. For instance, individuals scoring high in reappraisal who were instructed to use reappraisal demonstrated lower cortisol responses during stress (Mauersberger et al., 2018). However, other research has found no interaction between trait and instructed reappraisal on skin conductance responses (Wolgast et al., 2011).…”

Cognitive reappraisal during unpleasant picture processing: Subjective self‐report and peripheral physiology

“…In particular, our results concur with previous studies reporting no differences between passive viewing and decreased negative emotions (Dillon & LaBar, ; Driscoll et al, ; Eippert et al, ; Gross, ; Ray et al, ; Urry, ), even though other work has found a significant effect for down‐regulation (Bernat et al, ; Jackson et al, ). In this regard, new findings showed that reappraisal instructions might not be always effective (Mauersberger, Hoppe, Brockmann, & Hess, ). Specifically, only individuals who habitually use reappraisal might be capable of reducing their emotions in comparison to low habitual reappraisers (Mauersberger et al, ; Mauss et al, ).…”

“…In this regard, new findings showed that reappraisal instructions might not be always effective (Mauersberger, Hoppe, Brockmann, & Hess, ). Specifically, only individuals who habitually use reappraisal might be capable of reducing their emotions in comparison to low habitual reappraisers (Mauersberger et al, ; Mauss et al, ). To this extent, control effort made to reduce the emotional impact should be an important factor to take into consideration since it could be reflected in the increase of blink amplitude (Bernat et al, ).…”

Emotion regulation and peripheral psychophysiological correlates in the management of induced pain: A systematic review

“…A second possible reason for the inconsistencies found is that the individual differences in the ER style may influence self-regulatory efficacy during the experimental task [72,73]. Evans et al [61] suggested that unfamiliarity with using acceptance strategies while attempting to tolerate pain may shape the self-regulatory strength and produce less tolerance to it.…”