Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Strategies and Anticipated Emotions in Couples: A Mixed Method Approach

Abstract

Although interpersonal emotion regulation (IER) has gained more attention in recent years, few studies focus on IER in romantic relationships. In this study, using a qualitative-quantitative approach, we assessed the most commonly-used IER strategies employed by couples in both positive and negative interactions, and the anticipated self and partner’s emotions arising from their utilization. One hundred and ninety-nine couples participated in this research. The participants had to read a vignette that had a positive connotation and imagine they were the main character and write answers to four questions. Then, they had to repeat the process, using the negative connotation vignette. The questions were focused on the assessment of the self-anticipated IER strategies as well as the self and partner’s anticipated emotional reactions associated with the self-anticipated IER strategies. The thematic analysis showed that most of the participants described IER strategies that fit either into the ‘cognitive engagement’ category or in the ‘put own feelings first’ category. The most frequently anticipated self and partner’s emotions were ‘calm’, ‘joy’ or ‘sadness’. IER strategies have an effect not only on the target but also on the regulator. This aspect can contribute to a better understanding of couple relationships.