Abstract

As the positive function of emotion malleability beliefs(EMB) has increased, attempts have been made to use them therapeutically. However, most studies have focused only on the adaptive function of EMB, and only few have examined its maladaptive functions. This study examined the adaptive and maladaptive effects of EMB on emotion regulation strategies. A total of 137 university students participated in the experiment along, with their baseline emotional change possibility beliefs (ITE), negative emotions (PANAS), and emotional regulation strategies(ERSQ). Participants were randomly assigned to the malleability or entity groups, and each group participated in the task of strengthening their belief that emotions were either malleable or fixed. They were then asked to recall autobiographical negative memories for five minutes, measure emotion regulation strategies(ERSQ), perceived emotional regulation success, self-criticism(CRSQ), and negative emotions(PANAS). The incremental belief condition did not increase adaptive emotion regulation strategies, whereas the fixed emotion condition reduced the use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies. For the maladaptive emotional control strategy, there was no interaction effect between the type of belief condition and the measurement period. When analyzing the simple effect, both groups reported decreased uses in the “negative thinking”, and only fixed condition reported increased blame for others. There was no difference in self-criticism between the two groups, and perceived emotion regulation success was higher in the malleability group than in the fixed group. This study is meaningful it consider the adaptive and maladaptive effects on EMB. The implications and limitations of this study are discussed.