Fixed Trait Emotion Mindsets and Emotion Regulation Self-Efficacy: Moderation by Emotional Competence and Gender

Abstract: Emotion mindsets play an important role in how emotional challenges are navigated. Although existing research demonstrates that emotion mindsets have important implications for emotion regulation self-efficacy (ERSE), little is known about the role of individual differences. The present study examined whether the association between trait emotion mindsets and ERSE varied as a function of negative emotionality, emotional clarity, and gender during late adolescence. Results demonstrated that for males, fixed trait emotion mindsets were associated with less ERSE except at very low levels of negative emotionality and very high levels of emotional clarity. For females, fixed trait emotion mindsets were associated with less ERSE except at very high levels of negative emotionality and very low levels of emotional clarity. These findings emphasize that emotional competence and gender are important considerations when examining the link between emotion mindsets and emotional functioning.