Integration versus Minimization of Emotional Experiences: Addressing Adaptive Emotion Regulation

Much of the research on emotion regulation describes the regulation of emotions as turning a volume button up or down, thus focusing on changes in intensity. Because strong negative emotions can disrupt functioning, many approaches to healthy emotion regulation focus on diminishing negative experiences. However, grounded in an organismic view of wellness, self-determination theory (SDT) views adaptive emotion regulation as represented by integrated and harmonious functioning. In this perspective, emotions are not obstacles that stand in the way of adaptive functioning but informational inputs that can help in the choice and self-guidance of actions. The chapter begins with SDT’s definition of integrative emotion regulation (IER), compares it to controlled and amotivated regulation, and notes the differences between SDT’s approach and other dominant approaches. It reviews research on consequences of IER, as well as research on its socialization. The chapter concludes with a discussion of future research directions.