Emotional Intensity as a Predictor of Emotion Regulation Strategy Choice and Perceived Attenuation of Unpleasant Emotions

Recent theories on emotion regulation (ER) assume that emotional intensity affects the choice and success of ER strategies. Whereas laboratory studies investigating this association found consistent evidence, experience sampling (ESM) studies yielded mixed results. In this ESM study, we investigated the effect of emotional intensity on the choice of disengagement (e.g., distraction) or engagement strategies (e.g., reappraisal) and their success in attenuating unpleasant emotions. Between 2020 and 2021, we collected ESM dyadic data from couples in a community sample of 183 participants over 28 days, with three prompts per day. Multilevel modelling revealed that the choice of most of the disengagement strategies was not significantly predicted by the intensity of unpleasant emotions. The choice of the disengagement strategy “substance use” and most of the engagement strategies was associated with higher within-person emotional intensity. Acceptance was more likely to be chosen with lower within-person emotional intensities. Regarding ER success, the attenuation of unpleasant emotions through disengagement strategies did not vary by emotional intensity. However, engagement strategies attenuated unpleasant emotions more successfully in situations with lower within-person emotional intensities. Overall, results on ER choice mostly diverge from recent theories and previous laboratory studies, whereas findings on ER success align with theoretical outlines.