Trait self-control and beliefs about the utility of emotions and emotion regulation in self-control performance

Abstract

Three studies (N = 555) examined whether emotion regulation and emotions help people higher in trait self-control (TSC) to achieve their goals. Because emotion utility beliefs predict emotion regulation and performance, Study 1a examined whether TSC predicts emotion utility beliefs in two performance contexts, and Study 1b examined whether these beliefs predict preferences to regulate emotions. Study 2 examined whether TSC predicts choice to regulate emotions, and how choice and emotions influence self-control performance. While TSC did not predict emotion regulation, people higher in TSC considered positive (negative) emotions more (less) useful and experienced more (less) positive (negative) emotion after an emotion regulation task, which enhanced their self-control performance. This research underscores the role of emotion regulation and emotions in self-control.