Document Type
Honors Project
Abstract
Past research has reliably shown that emotional invalidation poses a threat to one's capacity for successful emotion regulation, though the relationship between the two is complex. The pair of studies presently discussed sought to understand how perceptions of emotional invalidation relate to the success (Study 1) and endorsement (Study 2) of emotion regulation strategies. Study 1 did not provide support for the prediction that perceptions of invalidation would undermine the success of the particular emotion regulation strategy of affect labeling, generating a new hypothesis: invalidation may be more related to how we conceive of the process of regulating our emotions, rather than whether a specific strategy is successful. Study 2 tested this hypothesis and found that invalidation (defined generally) is associated with higher endorsement of suppressive emotion regulation strategies and lower endorsement of the strategies of problem-solving and social support. This study also examined whether the relationship between invalidation and emotion regulation differed as a function of the source of invalidation (family vs. friends). Invalidation from family members in particular was also associated with increased endorsement of rumination, a relationship that was not exhibited in the case of invalidation from friends. A continued understanding of the relationship between invalidation and emotion regulation is invaluable to the understanding of emotional well-being broadly defined.
Recommended Citation
Caskey, Johanna N., "Invalidation and Emotion Regulation: How does emotional invalidation relate to the efficacy and endorsement of emotion regulation strategies?" (2022). Psychology Honors Projects. 51.
https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/psychology_honors/51
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Advisor: Dr. Jaine Strauss, Macalester College Department of Psychology