Trait Affect, Emotion Regulation, and the Generation of Negative and Positive Interpersonal Events

Abstract

Positive and negative trait affect and emotion regulatory strategies have received considerable attention in the literature as predictors of psychopathology. However, it remains unclear whether individuals‟ trait affect is associated with responses to state positive affect (positive rumination and dampening) or negative affect (ruminative brooding), or whether these affective experiences contribute to negative or positive interpersonal event generation. Among 304 late adolescents, path analyses indicated that individuals with higher trait negative affect utilized dampening and brooding rumination responses, whereas those with higher trait positive affect engaged in rumination on positive affect. Further, there were indirect relationships between trait negative affect and fewer positive and negative interpersonal events via dampening, and between trait positive affect and greater positive and negative interpersonal events via positive rumination. These findings suggest that individuals’ trait negative and positive affect may be associated with increased utilization of emotion regulation strategies for managing these affects, which may contribute to the occurrence of positive and negative events in interpersonal relationships.

Antisocial Disorders in Adolescence and Youth, According to Structural, Emotional, and Cognitive Transdiagnostic Variables: A Systematic Review

“…The findings made in this study reported evidence of transdiagnostic models composed of higher-order factors in terms of externalizing psychopathology [22,23,25,26], negative affectivity as distinctive trait [24,25,27], and impulsivity related to sensation-seeking [21,26,30]. Variables that are constituted as evidence of a transdiagnostic structural model of AD.…”

“…Another alteration has been a positive and negative affect as a trait since it increases the use of emotional regulation strategies at the interpersonal level in a negative way (externalizing problems). Also, when people have a low positive affect trait are at greater risk of generating interpersonal problems by decreasing functional interaction with others; in addition to the increase in the pattern of avoidance and the deterioration of interpersonal relationships, which leads to opportunities for learning skills that regulate emotional responses in adolescents and youth [24].…”

Exploring Emotions at Work: The Effects of Trait Affect and Display Rules on Co-rumination

“…However, the findings for positive affectivity contradicted my prediction. Past research suggests positive affectivity is related to positive rumination (Hamilton et al, 2017), characterized by amplifying one's positive affective experiences. While employees high in positive affect likely still discuss their problems at work, their discussions may focus more strongly on the positive aspects of their issues.…”

“…Research suggests that positive rumination is a protective factor against depression (Feldman, Joormann, & Johnson, 2008). In one study, trait positive affect was found to be positively associated with positive rumination (Hamilton et al, 2017). Further, those high in trait positive affect were less likely to engage in dampening, a positive rumination strategy characterized by downgrading one's response to positive affect (Hamilton et al, 2017).…”

“…Extraversion and agreeableness were found to predict engagement in conversations with a positive focus. Given that trait positive affect has been positively associated with both extraversion and agreeableness (Işık state (Hamilton et al, 2017). Research suggests that positive rumination is a protective factor against depression (Feldman, Joormann, & Johnson, 2008).…”