Affect and person specificity in mood regulation

Abstract

489 university students in three countries completed questionnaires in a study investigating affect and person specificity in the use of mood regulation strategies. The major aims of the study were to (1) describe the relationship between specific affective states and the strategies utilised, (2) explore the role that individual differences variables played in the tendency to use particular strategies, and (3) measure the impact that the use of different strategies had upon subjective well-being. Results did not consistently reveal a differential use of strategies based upon the affective state experienced. Gender, culture, degree of neuroticism, extraversion, self-reflection, and insight were all found to impact to some extent upon the type of strategies used. Higher levels of subjective well-being were linked to the use of cognitive engagement, behavioural engagement, and venting and expressing strategies.