(SSCP1-13) SSCP Submission: The Mediating Role of Perceived Controllability in the Relationship Between Daily Emotion Regulation Variability and Negative Affect

The selection and implementation of emotion regulation (ER) strategies play a crucial role in managing negative affect, and the variability in ER strategy use has been associated with mental health outcomes. While prior work has associated ER variability with reducing negative affect, the dynamic mechanisms – especially the role of contextual factors in real life – remain unexplored. This study investigated the relationship between variability in ER strategy use, perceived controllability of the emotional situation, and daily negative affect. It aimed to elucidate the direct and indirect pathways through which ER variability influences negative affect. Participants (N = 92) completed a 14-day diary study that assessed their variability in using different ER strategies, perceived controllability of the context, and negative affect. Multilevel mediation analysis was conducted utilizing a mixed-effects modelling approach with quasi-Bayesian confidence interval. Results suggest that higher variability in ER strategy use was associated with higher perceived controllability of the context (a = .18, 95% CI [.09, .27], p < .001). In turn, higher perceived controllability was associated with lower negative affect (b = -1.16, 95% CI [-1.58, -0.74], p < .001). While the direct effect showed a correlation between higher ER variability and less negative affect (c’ = -0.774, 95% CI [-1.37, -.22], p = .008), a significant proportion of the total effect (22.8%, 95% CI [.105, .57], p < .001) was mediated through perceived controllability. The findings highlight the importance of perceived controllability as a key mechanism linking greater ER variability to reduced negative affect. Although ER variability may have some direct effects on negative affect, its primary beneficial impact on reducing negative affect occurs by increasing one’s perceived control over the emotional situation. This mediation pathway underscores the significance of contextual factors in the ER process and suggests potential targets for interventions aimed at enhancing emotional well-being. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of the complex interplay between ER variability, contextual factors, and negative affect. By elucidating the mediating role of perceived controllability, it provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the relationship between ER variability and affective outcomes, offering potential avenues for future research and interventions.