The Shape of Emotion Regulation

Abstract. The Density Distribution approach to personality characterizes traits using both mean levels and within-person variability of behaviors. Recent theory highlights that emotion regulation (ER) is inherently variable, and this Density Distribution approach seems particularly suitable to understand both average tendencies and dynamics of ER as person-specific characteristics. However, there is not yet empirical evidence for this suggestion. To fill this gap, we investigated the reliability of density distribution information gathered from repeated assessments of state ER (within-person mean levels and standard deviations). Specifically, we studied the reliability of ER strategy use in terms of internal consistency and short- and long-term stability within and across two waves of experience sampling ( N = 153, M = 70 measurement occasions). Across both average tendencies and within-person variation, we found that individuals used different ER strategies relatively consistently. Overall, within-person ER mean levels and standard deviations were stable within and across the waves. Taken together, this suggests that the person-specific overall pattern of ER use in daily life is captured reliably using experience-sampling methodology (ESM).