Emotion Beliefs and Daily Affective Experiences Across the Adult Lifespan
2024

Emotion Beliefs and Daily Affective Experiences Across the Adult Lifespan

Sample size: 91 publication

Author Information

Author(s): Rutledge Jocelyn

Primary Institution: Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Hypothesis

The research sought to examine age differences in within-person associations of daily emotion beliefs and daily positive and negative affect.

Conclusion

Younger people who believe they should control their emotions report more negative feelings, while older people who believe they can control their emotions experience less negativity.

Supporting Evidence

  • Younger people who believe they should control their emotions report greater negative affect.
  • Younger people who believe they can control their emotions report higher positive affect.
  • Older people who believe they can control their emotions experience declines in negative affect.

Takeaway

This study shows that how we think about our emotions can change how we feel, and this changes as we get older.

Methodology

The study used 14-day daily diary data from an adult lifespan community sample.

Participant Demographics

Adults aged 19-92.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.2109

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