Relations between psychosis and emotion regulation in daily life: A systematic review and meta-analyses of studies using experience sampling methods

Abstract

Research has shown that heightened emotionality often precedes psychotic experiences. Understanding how individuals cope with these emotions is crucial for psychosis. While prior studies on emotion regulation (ER) and psychosis have mainly relied on self-report questionnaires, recent research has increasingly utilised daily life methods. This systematic review and meta-analysis seek to examine the relationship between daily ER and psychotic experiences. In total, 15 studies were included in the meta-analysis (21 in the systematic review). The results of Experience Sampling Methods (ESM) studies indicated that ER strategies of avoidance, reappraisal, repetitive thinking, and emotional suppression are not associated with psychotic experiences in daily life. The effect was not moderated by type of sample (clinical vs non-clinical), symptom (hallucination vs delusions), relation (contemporaneous vs perspective), or other methodological variables. Acceptance was found to be negatively associated with psychotic experiences, but the effect was small. These results indicate that ER in daily life might not impact directly on psychotic experiences. The results are discussed in light of conceptual and methodological limitations in the field.