Age-related differences in instructed positive reappraisal and mindful attention

Brady, B; Gonsalvez, C; Kneebone, II; Wufong, E; Bailey, PE

Age-related differences in instructed positive reappraisal and mindful attention

Brady, B Gonsalvez, C Kneebone, II Wufong, E Bailey, PE

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Publisher:: Springer
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Mindfulness, 2021, 12, (3), pp. 646-658
Issue Date:: 2021

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Brady, B
dc.contributor.author	Gonsalvez, C
dc.contributor.author	Kneebone, II
dc.contributor.author	Wufong, E
dc.contributor.author	Bailey, PE
dc.date.accessioned	2021-09-08T22:00:42Z
dc.date.available	2021-09-08T22:00:42Z
dc.date.issued	2021
dc.identifier.citation	Mindfulness, 2021, 12, (3), pp. 646-658
dc.identifier.issn	1868-8527
dc.identifier.issn	1868-8535
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150405
dc.description.abstract	The present study assessed age-related differences in the success of instructed mindful attention and positive reappraisal, as well as trait affect and emotion regulation. Methods: Young and older adults were instructed to regulate their emotions while viewing frightening and amusing films using three separate instructions (just watch, positive reappraisal, or mindful attention). Participants rated the strength of their experience of the target emotion (fear or amusement) and success in following the instruction to regulate. Electrodermal activity was recorded continuously, and facial electromyography measured positive and negative facial expression. Trait measures of affect and emotion regulation were also administered. Results: Electrodermal activity provided strong evidence that young adults successfully regulate fear using mindful attention and positive reappraisal relative to a just watch condition. Older adults’ electrodermal activity is was constant across conditions, and lower than young adults’ in the just watch condition, suggesting general hyporeactivity to fear. Subjective data suggest that young, but not older, adults successfully downregulate amusement using mindful attention. Conclusion: These findings provide some evidence for emotion regulation benefits in young relative to older age. However, these youthful benefits may reflect reduced initial reactivity among older adults.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Springer
dc.relation.ispartof	Mindfulness
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s12671-020-01523-2
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
dc.rights	The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1007/s12671-020-01523-2
dc.subject	1103 Clinical Sciences, 1608 Sociology, 1701 Psychology
dc.title	Age-related differences in instructed positive reappraisal and mindful attention
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	12
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences
utslib.for	1608 Sociology
utslib.for	1701 Psychology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health/GSH.Clinical Psychology
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
utslib.copyright.embargo	2021-10-31T00:00:00+1000Z
dc.date.updated	2021-09-08T22:00:40Z
pubs.issue	3
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	12
utslib.citation.issue	3

Abstract:

The present study assessed age-related differences in the success of instructed mindful attention and positive reappraisal, as well as trait affect and emotion regulation. Methods: Young and older adults were instructed to regulate their emotions while viewing frightening and amusing films using three separate instructions (just watch, positive reappraisal, or mindful attention). Participants rated the strength of their experience of the target emotion (fear or amusement) and success in following the instruction to regulate. Electrodermal activity was recorded continuously, and facial electromyography measured positive and negative facial expression. Trait measures of affect and emotion regulation were also administered. Results: Electrodermal activity provided strong evidence that young adults successfully regulate fear using mindful attention and positive reappraisal relative to a just watch condition. Older adults’ electrodermal activity is was constant across conditions, and lower than young adults’ in the just watch condition, suggesting general hyporeactivity to fear. Subjective data suggest that young, but not older, adults successfully downregulate amusement using mindful attention. Conclusion: These findings provide some evidence for emotion regulation benefits in young relative to older age. However, these youthful benefits may reflect reduced initial reactivity among older adults.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150405