Automatic Emotion Regulation (AER) can be classified as either adaptive or maladaptive, each with distinct implications for health. Adaptive AER is associated with better health outcomes because it allows individuals to more effectively mitigate or experience stressors. In contrast, maladaptive AER can be a critical factor in maintaining certain psychological disorders.

Adaptive and Maladaptive Automatic Emotion Regulation

Read the following scenario. Based on the principles of how emotional responses can become automatic and operate without conscious thought, explain Alex's reaction.

Analyzing an Unconscious Emotional Reaction

Automatic Emotion Regulation (AER) is the non-deliberate control of emotions, operating without conscious thought. This process develops over time into an automatic script or schema that guides emotional responses, much like the learned skill of riding a bicycle. AER can influence all stages of emotional processing, from initial attention and appraisal to the final behavioral response, by activating pre-existing knowledge structures that shape an individual's functioning.

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Emotion regulation is the process by which individuals manage their emotional responses to various situations and experiences. This involves altering their emotional experiences and how they are expressed.

Emotional Regulation

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Includes difficulties in being aware of and understanding emotions, difficulties accepting emotions, difficulties pursuing goals and controlling impulsive actions when distressed, and not having effective strategies to manage stress. A transdiagnostic feature in psychiatry.

Emotional Dysregulation

Older adolescents had better metacognition, higher emotional regulation, and less emotional instability compared to younger adolescents; however, they had more negative emotional states and more emotional stressors.

Emotional Regulation in Adolescents

There are three foundational issues regarding measurement. First, it is suggested that assessments must target either specific ER strategies or ER as a general construct. Second, assessments must distinguish between the experience of emotion and its regulation. Third, assessments must avoid overlap with outcome measures.
- Self-Report Measures
- Observational Methods

Assessment of Emotional Regulation

The use of engagement strategies following an emotion-eliciting stimulus is associated with positive outcomes, including better interpersonal functioning, improvement in work performance, and reduction in one’s experience of negative affect. 
On the other hand, frequent use of disengagement strategies (e.g., denial, suppression) has been related to increased distress, depression, and anxiety.

The Mental Health Effect of Emotional Regulation

Engagement strategies have been associated with increased pain tolerance and diminished cardiac reactivity. Alternatively, disengagement strategies have been associated with higher levels of chronic pain, increased inflammation, higher diastolic blood pressure, faster progression of cancer, and poorer self-reported health.

The Physical Health Effect of Emotional Regulation

Compared with healthy women, diagnosed breast cancer patients demonstrated higher levels of acceptance but lower levels of use of positive reappraisal.
Women with breast cancer who frequently used disengagement ER strategies also reported more emotional distress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, lower quality of life, and lower overall emotional well-being, affecting the quality of life and possible cancer progression.

Emotional Regulation in the Context of Breast Cancer

Emotional Regulation Strategies

* Covert emotion regulation strategies
  * Cognitive Reappraisal
  * Suppression
* Overt emotion regulation strategies 
  * Seeking advice 
  * Drinking alcohol

Types of Emotion Regulation Strategies

Automatic Emotion Regulation (AER)

A patient diagnosed with a personality disorder characterized by a pervasive disregard for the rights of others exhibits a pattern of antisocial behaviors that includes persistent lying to manipulate situations, spreading malicious rumors to damage a coworker's reputation, and blackmailing a former partner. Based on common research findings regarding how this disorder's symptoms can differ, analyze this behavioral pattern and justify which gender is more likely represented in this case.

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