The Need for a Unified Language Framework in Extrinsic Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Research

With increasing research interest in extrinsic interpersonal emotion regulation, this paper aims to address the critical need for a unified language framework to strengthen and support these research efforts. Despite increasing interest and research in this area, the lack of consistent terminology poses significant challenges to conceptual clarity and scientific progress. By examining the current landscape, the authors identify the proliferation of varied terms across disciplines, which threatens to hamper effective communication and collaboration, and thus, progress. This paper first argues for the necessity of a unified terminology and then proposes a possible methodological approach to achieve this. A Delphi study that provides a frame for the collaborative effort of subject matter experts is outlined. Establishing such unified language framework is expected to enhance research quality, foster innovation, and facilitate knowledge accumulation in the field.