Emotional inertia in daily life: a dynamic structural equation modelling analysis of the role of emotion regulation strategy use.

Abstract

High negative affect inertia refers to negative emotional states that show strong carryover from moment to moment and has been linked to maladjustment and poor mental health. Recent ecological momentary assessment (EMA) research has suggested that emotion regulation strategy use in daily life may contribute to emotional inertia. We build on this by examining the roles of rumination, suppression, reappraisal and acceptance in negative affect inertia for seven affective states in a sample of n = 451 emerging adults (mean age 27) who completed a 2-week EMA protocol. Using two-level dynamic structural modelling with within-person cross-lagged effects, rumination showed significant mediating effects with four negative affective states, implying a role in perpetuating negative affect; however, no other significant mediation effects were identified. Results point to rumination as the most promising intervention target among the emotion regulation strategies examined for reducing negative affect inertia, though the effects were modest.