DAILY USE OF REAPPRAISAL DECREASES NEGATIVE EMOTIONS TOWARD DAILY UNPLEASANT EVENTS

Previous research has demonstrated that using adaptive cognitive strategies reduces negative emotions, although high-neuroticism individuals are unable to use these adaptive strategies as effectively as low-neuroticism individuals. This diary study explored whether daily use of adaptive strategies would improve their effectiveness. Results suggest that with regular practice, participants (including those high in neuroticism) could effectively use reappraisal to reduce their negative emotions. Hierarchical linear modeling showed that individuals who reappraised daily experienced less negative emotions toward unpleasant events than those who did not use any strategy or who focused on the unpleasant events. This research suggests that daily use of adaptive strategies could help people reduce negative emotions.