The development of strategies of affective regulation during adulthood

By Sarah Le Vigouroux, Bruno Dauvier, Anne Congard, Jean-Luc Kop, Jean-Baptiste Pavani, Pierre-Yves Gilles
English

While aging is associated with a reduction in the effectiveness of some cognitive and physical processes (Carstensen, Gross & Fung 1998), many studies have reported an increase in general well-being in the elderly (e.g. Urry & Gross 2010). The acquisition of skills in affect regulation during adulthood is sometimes suggested in the literature as an explanation. In order to study the evolution with age of the selection process and the effectiveness of strategies for affective regulation in a lifespan perspective, we used an experience sampling methodology on a sample of 172 people aged from eighteen to seventy. Results indicate a process of selection of some affective regulation strategies that are favored with age: coping was focused on the problem and on cognitive reappraisal. Both strategies are also becoming increasingly effective in promoting positive affects and lowering negative affects.

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