Comparing the Effectiveness of Reappraisal Strategies in Adult Participants

This study evaluates the effectiveness of two cognitive reappraisal strategies-reconstrual (reinterpreting the meaning of an event) and repurposing (modifying the personal goal related to the event)-in reducing negative affect and enhancing positive affect in response to emotion-evoking scenarios in emerging adults.

Participants (at least N = 240) will be randomly assigned to one of eight groups in a 2 (Emotion: Sadness vs. Anxiety) × 4 (Strategy: Reconstrual, Repurposing, Active Control, Passive Control) between-subjects factorial design. Each participant will complete standardized emotional induction tasks via written scenarios, followed by their assigned intervention.

Hypotheses

H1: Negative emotions (sadness or anxiety) will significantly decrease following the intervention in the reconstrual and repurposing groups compared to the active and passive control groups. (Main effect of strategy on negative affect)

H2: Positive emotions will increase more in the reconstrual and repurposing groups compared to the passive control group. (Main effect of strategy on positive affect)

H3 (Exploratory): The effectiveness of reconstrual and repurposing strategies may vary by emotion type:

Repurposing may be more effective in sadness scenarios.

Reconstrual may be more effective in anxiety scenarios. (Emotion Type × Strategy interaction)

H4: No significant emotional change is expected in the passive control group. (No time effect)

Study Design

Design Type: Experimental, between-subjects factorial design Design Structure: 2 (Emotion Type: Sadness vs. Anxiety) × 4 (Strategy Condition: Reconstrual, Repurposing, Active Control, Passive Control) Participants: Minimum N = 240 (n = 30 per group), emerging adults (ages \~18-30) Randomization: Random assignment to 1 of 8 groups Blinding: Participants are blind to condition purpose Type of Analysis: Mixed ANOVA

Within-Subject Factor: Time (Post-Scenario vs. Post-Intervention) Between-Subject Factors: Emotion Type × Strategy Group Dependent Variables: Emotional ratings post-intervention (Negative affect (VAS/SAM: anxiety, sadness); Positive affect (VAS/SAM).

Study Flow

1. Initial Assessment Demographics: Only name and age Baseline measures: Scale for contextual reappraisal (SCORE; for trait-level reconstrual and repurposing), GAD-7, PHQ-9
2. Neutral Stimulus A standardized neutral video from Samson et al. (2016) study.
3. Baseline Emotion Assesments: Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
4. Random Group Assignment

Participants randomly assigned to one of eight groups (n=30 per group):

Sadness - Reconstrual

Sadness - Repurposing

Sadness - Active Control

Sadness - Passive Control

Anxiety - Reconstrual

Anxiety - Repurposing

Anxiety - Active Control

Anxiety - Passive Control
5. Training Phase Strategy-specific training with a minimum 90-second reading time enforced

Practice vignette with 30-second enforced reading and comprehension check

Correct answers allow progression; incorrect answers trigger explanation and acknowledgment before continuing

Participants rate prior use of the trained strategy in daily life
6. Scenario Exposure Participants read and imagine a standardized written scenario (sadness or anxiety) matched for intensity and controllability (based on pilot data)

40-second enforced reading time

7\. Self-Assessment and Rating VAS and SAM administered

Ratings of scenario imaginability and controllability (0-100 scale)

Participants write their first negative thoughts when imagining the scenario

8\. Application Phase Participants apply assigned emotion regulation strategy with 90-second minimum enforced duration

Written brief explanation of alternative thoughts used

Post-application ratings with VAS and SAM

Participants rate effectiveness and belief in their reappraisal thoughts (0-100 scale)

9\. Manipulation Check In the form of two multiple-choice questions: Participants will be asked to select the instruction that best matched the guideline they received at the beginning of the experiment and to identify the general topic of the scenario they had visualized.

10\. Demographics: Exclusion criteria related questions 11. Debriefing Participants view debriefing statement

• Reconstrual Strategy Training (Behavioral): Participants receive training in the reconstrual strategy, which involves recognizing and reinterpreting initial negative appraisals of emotionally challenging situations. The training guides participants to: Identify the situation and their initial negative interpretation. Generate alternative, balanced explanations that reduce negative emotional impact. The goal is to help participants view events from a different, realistic perspective to decrease negative emotions by modifying how they interpret situations.
• Repurposing Strategy Training (Behavioral): Participants receive training in the repurposing strategy, which involves adjusting or replacing personal goals to better align with the current situation. The training guides participants to: Identify the situation and the original goal that was not met. Develop alternative, realistic goals or modify existing ones to reduce the emotional impact of unmet expectations. This approach helps participants manage negative emotions by creating meaningful, adaptable goals that fit the reality of the situation.
• Active Control (Behavioral): Participants are asked to carefully copy a neutral descriptive passage without making any changes, focusing solely on transcription accuracy. This task serves as an active control by engaging participants in a cognitive task that requires attention and effort, but does not involve emotion regulation strategies. The task controls for the effects of engagement and time spent on a task without influencing participants' emotional processing.

Primary outcomes

• Change in Negative Affect [Immediately after vignette exposure vs. immediately after intervention]: (VAS; scale 0-100) Participants rate how intensely they feel a target negative emotion (sadness or anxiety) using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from 0 ("Not at all") to 100 ("Extremely"). Assessment Points: Time 1: After reading the emotionally evocative vignette (baseline). Time 2: After completing the assigned emotion regulation strategy (post-intervention)
• Change in valence and arousal [Immediately after vignette exposure vs. immediately after intervention]: Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) ratings \[Time Frame: Before vs. after intervention\] A nonverbal pictorial measure of emotional response that assesses two dimensions: Valence (pleasant-unpleasant) Arousal (high-low) on a 1-9 scale

Secondary outcomes

• Change in Positive Affect [Immediately after vignette exposure vs. immediately after intervention]: (VAS; scale 0-100)
• PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire) [Baseline]: Description: A 9-item measure of depressive symptoms over the past two weeks. Scoring: 0-27 total score Cutoffs: 5 = mild 10 = moderate 15 = moderately severe 20 = severe Use: may explain individual differences in affective response or strategy preference.
• GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale) [Baseline]: Description: A 7-item scale assessing anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks. Scoring: 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day); total score range: 0-21 Cutoffs: 5 = mild 10 = moderate 15 = severe Assessment Point: baseline Use: As a moderator variable to assess if baseline anxiety affects strategy effectiveness.

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 30 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 18-30 years
* Fluent in Turkish
* No current psychiatric treatment or diagnosis (self-reported)
* Willingness to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of severe psychiatric or neurological disorders
* Current substance use disorder

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• Ayşe ALTAN-ATALAY, Assoc. Prof. Dr, Principal investigator, Kadir Has University
• Burcu UYSAL, Assoc. Prof. Dr, Principal investigator, Ibn Haldun University