Feeling Full or Empty Inside? Peran Perbedaan Individual dalam Struktur Pengalaman Afektif

Abstract

Literatures on alexithymia and rumination are typically separated; however, the negative manifestations of both traits can potentially be attenuated by trait self-control. This experiment (N = 85) aimed to explore the dynamics of self-reported alexythimia, rumination, and self-control toward an individual’s structure of current affect. Participants were asked to rate affective valence and arousal of 60 stimuli from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) using Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM). Results indicated that (1) trait alexythimia, rumination, and self-control were intercorrelated, (3) subtraits in alexythimia and rumination were associated with hypersensitivity towards affective stimuli, and (3) negative affect was prerequisite to the activation of self-control. This finding highlights that the roles of individual differences onaffective experiences are context-dependent upon the combination of affective valence and arousal.