Beyond Self-Report: Performance Measures of Emotional Competencies Predict Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety, Physical Symptoms, Self-Rated Health, and Immunoregulatory Molecules

What is it about?

The idea that being better at regulating emotions is good for health is popular but there is surprisingly little evidence because we have measured the normal ways people regulate rather than their ability to regulate on demand. This study shows that a greater ability to show emotions on the face on demand predicts better self-rated health, less depression and anxiety, and fewer symptoms. The skill may also predict markers of immune functioning.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The study matters because the "types" of regulation that we know predict outcomes (e.g., being inhibited predicts worse health) are dispositional and thus difficult to change. By contrast, identifying specific skills we can potentially intervene to improve health.