Emotion Regulation Effort (2020)

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Citation article

Title:
Flexibility or instability? Emotion goal dynamics and mental health
Authors:
Hu, D., Kalokerinos, E. K., Tamir, M.
Year of publication:
2024
Publication name:
Emotion
Volume number:
24
Issue number:
4
Page numbers:
1078-1091
DOI or URL:
doi: 10.1037/emo0001318
Publication type:
Refereed Journal Article

Study details

Baseline session:
Yes
Followup session:
No
Study design:
First, a screening survey was completed on Qualtrics to assess potential participants eligibility for the study. If eligible, participants completed the baseline survey, also on Qualtrics. At the beginning of this survey, participants were given the Plain Language Statement and provided informed consent. Participants then responded to a number of self-report measures of emotion-relevant trait variables. At the end of the baseline participants watched two videos explaining the methdological details of the study and how to use the SEMA3 ESM survey smartphone app. The day after the baseline, participants began the ESM component, where they received survey notifications on their smartphones via the application SEMA3. Participants received 8 surveys each day for seven consecutive days. Participants responded to 22 questions in each ESM survey. The questions were identical in each survey. In the ESM surveys participants were asked about their emotion regulation efforts, emotion regulation strategies, current emotions and other emotion regulation related items. To ensure an equal distribution of surveys across the day, the surveys were scheduled using a stratified random interval scheme, with the day divided into eight equal windows. Participants received an ESM prompt at a random time within the first 45 minutes of each window. To ensure two surveys did not arrive too close together, we programmed the survey so that there were at least 30 minutes between beeps. Once they received a beep, participants had 20 minutes to fill out the survey. If a participant did not respond within the first 10 minutes, they received a survey reminder, and if they still did not respond they received another reminder just before the end of the expiry period. Participants received approximately 56 surveys overall (M = 55.66).
ESM measurement waves:
1
Ethics granting body:
The Psychology Health and Applied Sciences Human Ethics Sub-Committee of The University of Melbourne
Ethics protocol number:
2056651.1
Year/s data was collected:
2020
Location of participants (Countries):
Australia
Background information:
---
Languages:
English
Setting:
---
Collection platform:
---
Preregistration URL:
---
Days of ESM data collection:
7
Number of ESM measures per day:
8
Sampling schedule:
signal-contingent
ESM schedule start time:
10:00
ESM schedule end time:
20:20
ESM schedule duration:
---

Sample details

Type of sample:
Participants were aged 18 to 66 (M = 28.84, SD = 10.24), with 132 women, 38 men, and 3 participants who listed another gender. Two participants listed infeasible ages (likely typographical errors), and so their ages were coded as missing data. Fifty percent of participants identified as White or Caucasian, 17% as East Asian, 16% as South Asian, and 17% as other ethnicities.
Recruitment information:
Participants were recruited in three ways: the University of Melbourne Research Experience Program (n = 28), the University of Melbourne online paid SONA system (a registry of participants interested in paid research opportunities, n = 38), and community advertising (using Facebook, Twitter, and University staff newsletters, n = 107). Research Experience Program (REP) participants were first year undergraduate students who received up to 3% course credit for participation in the baseline and ESM surveys, with credit amount depending on level of participation. Paid and community participants were reimbursed $45 for completion of the baseline and ESM surveys, with payment amount depending on level of participation. Participants were required to own an Android or iPhone smartphone compatible with the application used for the ESM surveys. An additional criterion for paid and community participants was that they were required to be current residents of Australia. We implemented this criterion due to coordination problems that arose from time zone differences
Incentives:
REP students received 1% course credit for participants in the baseline session. If REP students completed up to 28 of the 56 smartphone surveys, they received 1% course credit. If they completed between 29 or more of the surveys, they received 2% course credit. Paid participants received $15 in vouchers for participating in the baseline session (Part 1), and up to $30 in vouchers for participating in the smartphone surveys (Part 2), for a possible $45 in vouchers in total. They received the full $30 for the smartphone surveys if they completed at least 80% of the surveys. They received $5 less for every 10% fewer surveys they completed (so for example, if they completed between 70 - 79% they received $25 for the smartphone surveys)
Exclusions:
No participants were excluded from analyses, however four participants stopped the study early: Two because of technical issues, one because of issues related to COVID-19, and one did not provide a reason. Data exclusions have yet to be applied to this dataset based on careless responding. However, this data contains corresponding columns indicating which items were completed too quickly. There are 3668 item responses within surveys (.02% of all item responses) that were completed in less than 650 ms and 149 complete survey responses (.02%of all surveys) had more than 50% of the items completed in less than 650 ms. Data exclusions can be applied to this dataset using the relevant response time information in the dataset.
Number of participants:
173

Contact info

Contact:
Imogen Smith
Contact email:
imogen.smith.1@unimelb.edu.au
Selection Variable Info Assessment type Constructs Branching
UUID Default None
Date_Local Default None
Time_Local Default None
ACPT Accepted my emotions as they are ESM
AGE What is your age in years (please ONLY enter a NUMBER)? Baseline
ANG Right now, how angry do you feel? ESM
ANG_GOAL Right now, how angry do you want to feel? ESM
ANG_GOAL_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
ANG_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
ANX Right now, how anxious do you feel? ESM
ANX_GOAL Right now, how anxious do you want to feel? ESM
ANX_GOAL_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
ANX_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
BFI2_1 Is outgoing, sociable Baseline
BFI2_10 Is curious about many different things Baseline
BFI2_11 Rarely feels excited or eager Baseline
BFI2_12 Tends to find fault with others Baseline
BFI2_13 Is dependable, steady Baseline
BFI2_14 Is moody, has up and down mood swings Baseline
BFI2_15 Is inventive, finds clever ways to do things Baseline
BFI2_16 Tends to be quiet Baseline
BFI2_17 Feels little sympathy for others Baseline
BFI2_18 Is systematic, likes to keep things in order Baseline
BFI2_19 Can be tense Baseline
BFI2_2 Is compassionate, has a soft heart Baseline
BFI2_20 Is fascinated by art, music, or literature Baseline
BFI2_21 Is dominant, acts as a leader Baseline
BFI2_22 Starts arguments with others Baseline
BFI2_23 Has difficulty getting started on tasks Baseline
BFI2_24 Feels secure, comfortable with self Baseline
BFI2_25 Avoids intellectual, philosophical discussions Baseline
BFI2_26 Is less active than other people Baseline
BFI2_27 Has a forgiving nature Baseline
BFI2_28 Can be somewhat careless Baseline
BFI2_29 Is emotionally stable, not easily upset Baseline
BFI2_3 Tends to be disorganized Baseline
BFI2_30 Has little creativity Baseline
BFI2_31 Is sometimes shy, introverted Baseline
BFI2_32 Is helpful and unselfish with others Baseline
BFI2_33 Keeps things neat and tidy Baseline
BFI2_34 Worries a lot Baseline
BFI2_35 Values art and beauty Baseline
BFI2_36 Finds it hard to influence people Baseline
BFI2_37 Is sometimes rude to others Baseline
BFI2_38 Is efficient, gets things done Baseline
BFI2_39 Often feels sad Baseline
BFI2_4 Is relaxed, handles stress well Baseline
BFI2_40 Is complex, a deep thinker Baseline
BFI2_41 Is full of energy Baseline
BFI2_42 Is suspicious of others’ intentions Baseline
BFI2_43 Is reliable, can always be counted on Baseline
BFI2_44 Keeps their emotions under control Baseline
BFI2_45 Has difficulty imagining things Baseline
BFI2_46 Is talkative Baseline
BFI2_47 Can be cold and uncaring Baseline
BFI2_48 Leaves a mess, doesn’t clean up Baseline
BFI2_49 Rarely feels anxious or afraid Baseline
BFI2_5 Has few artistic interests Baseline
BFI2_50 Thinks poetry and plays are boring Baseline
BFI2_51 Prefers to have others take charge Baseline
BFI2_52 Is polite, courteous to others Baseline
BFI2_53 Is persistent, works until the task is finished Baseline
BFI2_54 Tends to feel depressed, blue Baseline
BFI2_55 Has little interest in abstract ideas Baseline
BFI2_56 Shows a lot of enthusiasm Baseline
BFI2_57 Assumes the best about people Baseline
BFI2_58 Sometimes behaves irresponsibly Baseline
BFI2_59 Is temperamental, gets emotional easily Baseline
BFI2_6 Has an assertive personality Baseline
BFI2_60 Is original, comes up with new ideas Baseline
BFI2_7 Is respectful, treats others with respect Baseline
BFI2_8 Tends to be lazy Baseline
BFI2_9 Stays optimistic after experiencing a setback Baseline
CALM Right now, how calm do you feel? ESM
CALM_GOAL Right now, how calm do you want to feel? ESM
CALM_GOAL_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
CALM_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
CAREGIVER Do you have any other caregiving responsibilities? Baseline
CESD_1 I was bothered by things that usually don't bother me. Baseline
CESD_10 I felt fearful. Baseline
CESD_11 My sleep was restless. Baseline
CESD_12 I was happy. Baseline
CESD_13 I talked less than usual. Baseline
CESD_14 I felt lonely. Baseline
CESD_15 People were unfriendly. Baseline
CESD_16 I enjoyed life. Baseline
CESD_17 I had crying spells. Baseline
CESD_18 I felt sad. Baseline
CESD_19 I felt that people dislike me. Baseline
CESD_2 I did not feel like eating; my appetite was poor. Baseline
CESD_20 I could not get "going." Baseline
CESD_3 I felt that I could not shake off the blues even with help from my family or friends. Baseline
CESD_4 I felt I was just as good as other people. Baseline
CESD_5 I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing. Baseline
CESD_6 I felt depressed. Baseline
CESD_7 I felt that everything I did was an effort. Baseline
CESD_8 I felt hopeful about the future. Baseline
CESD_9 I thought my life had been a failure. Baseline
CHANGE_BHVR Since the last survey, did you try to influence the way you behaved or acted? ESM
CHANGE_BHVR_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
CHILD Do you have children under 18 years of age? Baseline
CHILD_NUMBER Number of children under 18 Baseline
CHRONIC_ILL Do you have a chronic physical illness (e.g. diabetes, asthma)? Baseline
COMPLETED_DATE_TIME Date and time ESM survey was completed. ESM
COVID_EMPLOY How has your employment been affected by COVID-19? Please select all that apply. Baseline
COVID_EMPLOY_SPECIFY COVID employment if specfied "Other" Baseline
COVID_ESSENTIAL Are you deemed as an “essential worker” (e.g. healthcare worker, teacher, food services, retail worker)? Baseline
COVID_INFECT Have you been infected with the novel coronavirus? Baseline
COVID_INFECT_FAM Have any of your close family members had COVID-19? Baseline
COVID_WFH Are you currently working from home? Baseline
COVID_WORRY_1 Becoming unwell myself Baseline
COVID_WORRY_2 Someone I love becoming unwell Baseline
COVID_WORRY_3 Economic recession Baseline
COVID_WORRY_4 Restricted access to supplies (e.g. food) Baseline
COVID_WORRY_5 Health system being overloaded Baseline
COVID_WORRY_6 Becoming unemployed Baseline
COVID_WORRY_GENERAL In general, how worried are you about COVID-19? Baseline
CREATED_TS Date and time survey created ESM
DEC_NEG I tried to decrease negative emotion ESM
DEC_POS I tried to decrease positive emotion ESM
DIST Distracted myself from my emotions ESM
DURATION Time taken to complete baseline Baseline
EDU What is your level of education? Baseline
EDU_CURRENT Are you currently studying? (e.g. at University, TAFE, School) Baseline
EFFICACY Since the last survey, did you feel like you could control your emotions? ESM
EFFICACY_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
EFFORT_AMOUNT Since the last survey, how much effort did you put into influencing your emotions? ESM
EFFORT_AMOUNT_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
EFFORT_BHVR Since the last survey, how much effort did you put into influencing the way you behaved or acted? ESM
EFFORT_BHVR_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
EFFORT_INTENT Since the last survey, did you try to influence your emotions? ESM
EFFORT_INTENT_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
EFFORT_TYPE_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
EMPLOY What is your employment status? Baseline
EMPLOY_TEXT Employment status is specified "Other" Baseline
EndDate Baseline end date and time ESM
ERMOT_CONTRA What are your motivations for wanting to feel these different emotions? Please select all that apply: Increasing my immediate displeasure ESM
ERMOT_EPI What are your motivations for wanting to feel these different emotions? Please select all that apply: Helping me learn something ESM
ERMOT_EUD What are your motivations for wanting to feel these different emotions? Please select all that apply: Helping me grow as a person ESM
ERMOT_HED What are your motivations for wanting to feel these different emotions? Please select all that apply: Increasing my immediate pleasure ESM
ERMOT_NONE What are your motivations for wanting to feel these different emotions? Please select all that apply: I do not have a motivation ESM
ERMOT_OTH What are your motivations for wanting to feel these different emotions? Please select all that apply: I have another motivation ESM
ERMOT_PERF What are your motivations for wanting to feel these different emotions? Please select all that apply: Helping me undertake a task ESM
ERMOT_SOC What are your motivations for wanting to feel these different emotions? Please select all that apply: Helping with my social relationships ESM
ESL Is English your first or native language? Baseline
ETHN What is your ethnicity? Please select all that apply. Baseline
ETHN_SPECIFY Ethnicity if specified "Other" Baseline
EXPIRED_TS Date and time survey expired ESM
GAD7_1 Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge Baseline
GAD7_2 Not being able to stop or control worrying Baseline
GAD7_3 Worrying too much about different things Baseline
GAD7_4 Trouble relaxing Baseline
GAD7_5 Being so restless that it's hard to sit still Baseline
GAD7_6 Becoming easily annoyed or irritable Baseline
GAD7_7 Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen Baseline
GENDER What is your gender? Baseline
GENDER_SPECIFY Gender if selected "Prefer to self-identify" Baseline
HAP Right now, how happy do you feel? ESM
HAP_GOAL Right now, how happy do you want to feel? ESM
HAP_GOAL_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
HAP_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
HOME_COUNTRY Home country Baseline
HOPE Right now, how hopeful do you feel? ESM
HOPE_GOAL Right now, how hopeful do you want to feel? ESM
HOPE_GOAL_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
HOPE_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
HOUSE_NUMBER How many people, including you, live in your household? Baseline
INC_NEG I tried to increase or maintain negative emotion ESM
INC_POS I tried to increase or maintain positive emotion ESM
INTERSURVEY_INTERVAL Time between previous and current survey (in minutes) ESM
MOTIVE_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
NATION What is your nationality? (e.g. Australian) Baseline
NEG_EVENT Since the last survey, have you experienced a negative event? ESM
NEG_EVENT_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
NEG_EXTENT How negative was this event? ESM
NEG_EXTENT_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
NO_EFFICACY Since the last survey, if you'd wanted to, do you feel like you could've controlled your emotions? ESM
NO_EFFICACY_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
NO_EFFORT_1 Why didn't you try to influence your emotions? Please select all that apply: It was too difficult ESM
NO_EFFORT_2 Why didn't you try to influence your emotions? Please select all that apply: I didn't want to ESM
NO_EFFORT_3 Why didn't you try to influence your emotions? Please select all that apply: I had another reason ESM
NO_EFFORT_4 Why didn't you try to influence your emotions? Please select all that apply: I didn't have a reason ESM
NO_EFFORT_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
NO_NEG Since the last survey, how negative have things generally been for you? ESM
NO_NEG_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
NO_POS Since the last survey, how positive have things generally been for you? ESM
NO_POS_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
NO_SUCCESS Since the last survey, if you'd wanted to, how successful do you feel you could've been in controlling your emotions? ESM
NO_SUCCESS_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
PARTICIPANT_TYPE Participant Type ESM
PID Sequential participant ID Global
POS_EVENT Since the last survey, have you experienced a positive event? ESM
POS_EVENT_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
POS_EXTENT How positive was this event? ESM
POS_EXTENT_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
PSS_1 In the last month, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly? Baseline
PSS_10 In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them? Baseline
PSS_2 In the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life? Baseline
PSS_3 In the last month, how often have you felt nervous and “stressed”? Baseline
PSS_4 In the last month, how often have you felt confident about your ability to handle your personal problems? Baseline
PSS_5 In the last month, how often have you felt that things were going your way? Baseline
PSS_6 In the last month, how often have you found that you could not cope with all the things that you had to do? Baseline
PSS_7 In the last month, how often have you been able to control irritations in your life? Baseline
PSS_8 In the last month, how often have you felt that you were on top of things? Baseline
PSS_9 In the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that were outside of your control? Baseline
REAP Changed the way I was thinking ESM
RELAT What is your relationship status? Baseline
RELAT_SPECIFY Relationship status text (if specified "Other") Baseline
RELIG Are you religious? Baseline
RUM Dwelled on my emotions ESM
SAD Right now, how sad do you feel? ESM
SAD_GOAL Right now, how sad do you want to feel? ESM
SAD_GOAL_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SAD_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SCHEDULED_LAG_DATETIME Lagged survey time (Date and time previous survey scheduled) ESM
SCHEDULED_TS Date and time survey scheduled ESM
SES_LADDER Where would you place yourself on this ladder? Choose the number which best represents where you would be on this ladder at this time in your life relative to other people in Australia. Baseline
SOCSHR Shared my emotions with others ESM
StartDate Baseline start date and time ESM
STARTED_TS Date and time survey started ESM
STR Right now, how stressed do you feel? ESM
STRATEGY_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
STRAT_NONE I did not use a strategy ESM
STRAT_OTHER I used another strategy ESM
STRESSED_GOAL_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
STR_GOAL Right now, how stressed do you want to feel? ESM
STR_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
STUDY_NAME Name of study Global
SUCCESS Since the last survey, how successful were you in controlling your emotions? ESM
SUCCESS_RT Response time for relevant variable ESM
SUPR Suppressed the expression of my emotions ESM
SURVEY_COMPLETED Whether the ESM survey was completed ESM
SURVEY_DAY ESM phase day number ESM
SURVEY_NUMBER ESM survey number ESM
SWLS_1 In most ways my life is close to my ideal. Baseline
SWLS_2 The conditions of my life are excellent. Baseline
SWLS_3 I am satisfied with my life. Baseline
SWLS_4 So far I have gotten the important things I want in life. Baseline
SWLS_5 If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing. Baseline
TMZ Participant timezone ESM
toofast.ANG_GOAL_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.ANG_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.ANX_GOAL_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.ANX_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.CALM_GOAL_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.CALM_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.CHANGE_BHVR_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast_count Number of surveys completed too fast ESM
toofast.EFFICACY_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.EFFORT_AMOUNT_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.EFFORT_BHVR_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.EFFORT_INTENT_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.EFFORT_TYPE_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.HAP_GOAL_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.HAP_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.HOPE_GOAL_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.HOPE_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.MOTIVE_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.NEG_EVENT_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.NEG_EXTENT_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.NO_EFFICACY_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.NO_EFFORT_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.NO_NEG_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.NO_POS_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.NO_SUCCESS_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.POS_EVENT_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.POS_EXTENT_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.SAD_GOAL_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.SAD_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.STRATEGY_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.STR_GOAL_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.STR_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
toofast.SUCCESS_RT Whether to keep or remove item based on response time ESM
TOTAL_RT Total survey resonse time (in ms) ESM
TOTAL_SURVEY_COMPLETED Total number of surveys completed by participant ESM
UPLOADED_TS Date and time survey uploaded ESM

Publications

Main Publication

Flexibility or instability? Emotion goal dynamics and mental health

Title:
Flexibility or instability? Emotion goal dynamics and mental health
Authors:
Hu, D., Kalokerinos, E. K., Tamir, M.
Year of publication:
2024
Publication name:
Emotion
Volume number:
24
Issue number:
4
Page numbers:
1078-1091
DOI or URL:
doi: 10.1037/emo0001318
Publication type:
Refereed Journal Article

Additional publications

  • Hu, D., Mizrahi Lakan, S., Kalokerinos, E. K., & Tamir, M. (2024). Stuck with the foot on the pedal: Depression and motivated emotion regulation in daily life. Emotion, 24(5), 1299–1311. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001351
  • Gutentag, T., Kalokerinos, E. K., Millgram, Y., Garrett, P. M., Sobel, R., & Tamir, M. (2024). Motivational Intensity in Emotion Regulation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672241273273

IS 20/07/2025: Date_Local and Time_Local variables changed from completed timepoints to scheduled timepoints.