Understanding Daily Positive Emotion Regulation: Examining Associations With Momentary Emotions and Anhedonia

Disturbances in positive emotion play a unique role in mental health problems, but little is known about how positive emotion regulation (ER) processes unfold in daily life. The aim of the present study was to to capture the dynamics of positive ER processes in daily life by investigating (1) which positive ER strategies individuals use in their daily lives, (2) whether the intensity of positive and negative emotions is associated with the use of specific positive ER strategies, and (3) whether the use of specific positive ER strategies is associated with changes in positive and negative emotions. Secondly, we aimed to examine the role of anhedonia in explaining inter-individual differences in positive ER processes. A total of N = 159 emerging adults (Mage = 21.50, 76% female) completed a baseline questionnaire and enrolled in a 14-day Experience Sampling Method (ESM) study (5x/day), in which we measured positive and negative emotions, and positive ER strategy use. Results from pre-registered Dynamic Structural Equation Models (DSEM) showed that higher emotional intensity, regardless of its valence, was associated with increased positive ER strategy use. Using upregulation strategies was linked to improvements in emotions, while opposite patterns were found for downregulation strategies. Anhedonia did not play a consistent role in explaining individual differences in these associations. Our findings highlight the complexity of positive ER processes in daily life and the potential implications for mental health, and underscore the need for further research in this emerging research area.