Navigating Emotions: The Influence of Goals on Perceived Effectiveness of Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Strategies

Abstract

Romantic partners often serve as emotional support regulating each other’s emotions, especially after stressful events. This study investigates how the perceived effectiveness of interpersonal emotion regulation (IER) strategies in romantic relationships is influenced by the regulatory goal of the recipient. Specifically, we examine how hedonic (seeking to feel better) and instrumental (seeking to get things done) goals affect the perceived effectiveness of various IER strategies. It was expected that the goal would influence the perceived effectiveness of IER strategies. Using a sample of 986 participants in romantic relationships, an experimental design was employed where participants were assigned either a hedonic or instrumental goal and subsequently rated the effectiveness of seven IER strategies: suppression, distraction, co-rumination, reappraisal, acceptance, problem-solving, and ignoring. Results indicate that goal type significantly influences the perceived effectiveness of IER strategies. Participants with hedonic goals generally rated IER strategies as more effective than those with instrumental goals. Moreover, in line with expectations engaging strategies co-rumination and acceptance were perceived as more effective for hedonic goals compared to those with instrumental goals, while the perceived effectiveness of disengaging strategies suppression and ignoring was higher for those with instrumental goals than those with hedonic goals. Against expectations, reappraisal and problem-solving were perceived as equally effective for both goal types. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of IER strategies is context-dependent, influenced by the goal of the individual seeking regulation.