Expressive suppression as an emotion regulation technique and its potential impact on perceived stress

Abstract

Expressive suppression is the process of decreasing, increasing, or maintaining emotional intensity over a period of time. It is employed as an immediate response to emotional stimuli and can result in negative psychological outcomes. This emotional regulation process can be harmful in the workplace, especially when one considers time pressures and the standard corporate hierarchical structure in modern America, which potentially also introduces stress into situations due to the “superior/subordinate” relationship. This study analyzed the correlation between self-reported high usage of expressive suppression and perceived stress and found that a correlation does exist between the emotion regulation technique and perceived stress. The study also reviewed other workplace situations and found that being in the presence of a superior also plays a role in this dynamic. The study highlights the stress impact of employing expressive suppression and the need for further research into factors within the workplace that impact an individual’s emotional regulation and impact overall stress.