Daily emotion regulation and emotional well-being: A replication and extension in Egypt

Abstract

Emotion regulation (ER) strategies have been linked to emotional well-being. However, most studies on this topic have been conducted on Western samples. Furthermore, related studies that have been conducted with non-Western samples have examined the emotional consequences of a limited range of strategies. This paper aimed to replicate and extend prior research by investigating the link between a wide range of ER strategies and emotional well-being in an understudied region: the Middle East and North Africa region. A community sample of 169 Egyptian adults (18–65 years) completed a 14-day experience sampling study (5 surveys/day), measuring various ER strategies, as well as affect. Most adaptive engagement strategies (reappraisal, positive reframing, acceptance) were associated with greater emotional well-being. Meanwhile, most aversive cognitive preservation strategies (rumination, venting) and certain disengagement strategies (suppression, denial) were linked to lower emotional well-being. Results generally replicate past research from Western samples in an Egyptian sample: greater use of adaptive engagement strategies across contexts is emotionally beneficial, while frequent use of aversive cognitive preservation and disengagement strategies can be emotionally harmful.