How self-efficacy beliefs in dealing with negative emotions are associated to negative affect and to life satisfaction across gender and age

Abstract

The present study examines the extent to which individuals’ self-efficacy beliefs about their capacity to manage distinct emotions, such as anger, sadness, fear, shame and guilt, are associated with negative affect and life satisfaction in a Spanish population of diverse ages. The results attest to the validity of the Multidimensional Negative Emotions Self-Regulatory Efficacy Scale (MNESRES) and show that self-efficacy beliefs related to basic and self-conscious/moral emotions are associated differently with negative affect and life satisfaction. These findings corroborate previous findings from American and Italian populations, and they support the view that discrete emotions deserve distinct attention, either regarding their management or their association with individuals’ well-being and adjustment.