Perceived demands associated with emotion regulation strategies among young and cognitively diverse older adults

Abstract

Emotion regulation (ER) is viewed as a cognitively demanding process, with strategies varying in demands. Individuals may prefer strategies perceived as lower in cognitive demands, and selecting low-demand strategies may be particularly adaptive for those with limited cognitive resources. We examine how ER strategies differ in perceived cognitive demands and how perceived demands predict strategy selection and well-being among regulators of varying age and cognitive status. Young adults (aged 21–34, n = 66), cognitively normal older adults (CN; aged 70–83, n = 90), and older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI; aged 70–84, n = 60) reported perceived demands and use of ten ER strategies. As expected, early-acting strategies (e.g. situation selection) were generally viewed as less demanding than later-acting strategies (e.g. masking). Younger adults reported higher cognitive demands and effort requirements compared with CN older adults. For younger adults and CN older adults (but not those with MCI), strategies perceived as less demanding were used more. Older (but not younger) adults who perceived ER to be more demanding experienced poorer well-being. Age-related differences in perceived cognitive demands suggest ER perceptions may change with gained life experience. However, MCI may create ER difficulties by interfering with one's ability to select easier to implement strategies.

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