Emotion regulation difficulties in depression and anxiety: Evidence from the dynamics of strategy use and daily affect

Anxiety and depression are believed to be associated with increased use of maladaptive emotion regulation (ER) strategies and decreased use of adaptive strategies; nonetheless, most work on this topic has been approached using static perspectives on measuring ER, which may overlook the dynamic interplay between ER and emotional experiences. We combined ecological momentary assessment and dynamic structural equation modeling in two independent college-student samples (N₁ = 202; N₂ = 213) to investigate bidirectional relationships between ER and daily affect. In Study 1, we examined reciprocal associations between negative affect and two ER strategies characterized by repetitive negative thinking (rumination and worry), while in Study 2, we explored reciprocal relationships between both negative and positive affect and two context-dependent and cognitively demanding ER strategies (reappraisal and distraction). We then explored associations of these reciprocal relations with laboratory questionnaires of anxiety and depression. Results indicated both anxiety and depression were associated with greater average negative affect in daily life, greater use of worry, and greater variability in positive affect. However, anxiety was related specifically to difficulties in maintenance of distraction, whereas depression showed unique associations with negative affect inertia, average use of rumination, and difficulties in maintenance of cognitive reappraisal. Findings collectively reveal commonalities and differences in dynamics of ER and daily affect experience related to depression and anxiety. These insights can inform future research into targeted interventions for these negative emotions.