Dealing efficiently with emotions: Acceptance-based coping with negative emotions requires fewer resources than suppression

H.J.E.M. Alberts*, F. Schneider, C. Martijn

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Previous studies have consistently shown that changing or avoiding emotions requires resources and therefore leads to impaired performance on a subsequent self-control task. The aim of the present study was to investigate the extent to which acceptance-based coping requires regulatory resources. Participants who accepted their emotions during exposure to a sad video performed better on a subsequent self-control task than participants who were instructed to suppress their emotions and a control group who received no instructions. These findings suggest that acceptance is an efficient strategy in terms of resources.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)863-870
Number of pages8
JournalCognition & Emotion
Volume26
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2012

Keywords

  • Acceptance
  • Mindfulness
  • Emotion
  • Self-control
  • Ego depletion
  • Resources
  • SELF-CONTROL
  • EGO DEPLETION
  • LIMITED RESOURCE
  • STRENGTH
  • DISORDERS

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