Understanding daily positive emotion regulation: examining associations with momentary emotions and anhedonia

Abstract Disturbances in positive emotion play a unique role in mental health problems, but little is known about how positive emotion regulation (ER) processes unfold in daily life. This study aimed to capture the dynamics of daily positive ER processes by investigating (1) which positive ER strategies individuals use, (2) the association between intensity of positive and negative emotions and the use of specific positive ER strategies, and (3) how positive ER strategy use is associated with changes in emotions. Additionally, the role of anhedonia in explaining inter-individual differences in positive ER processes was examined. A total of 159 emerging adults (M age =21.50, 76% female) completed a baseline questionnaire and enrolled in a 14-day Experience Sampling Method (ESM) study (5x/day), tracking their emotions and positive ER strategies. Pre-registered Dynamic Structural Equation Models showed that greater emotional intensity, regardless of valence, was associated with increased positive ER strategy use. Using upregulation strategies was linked to improvements in emotions, whereas downregulation strategies had the opposite effect. Anhedonia did not consistently explain individual differences in these associations. Our findings highlight the complexity of positive ER processes in daily life and their mental health implications, and underscore the need for further research in this area.