Cognitive emotion regulation and stress: A multiple mediation approach

Background and purpose: Chronic stress leads to deficits in executive functions; its effect on cognitive emotion regulation has yet to be investigated. The present study explores the possible role of cognitive emotion regulation strategies in mediating the well-established association between perceived stress and anxiety. We assumed it should be that, via impaired prefrontal activity and executive functions, stress leads to the reduced use of executive strategies and the increased use of non-executive strategies, resulting in higher levels of anxiety. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 162 university students completed the Perceived Stress Scale, the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Results: Multiple mediation analysis resulted in a significant model, in which cognitive emotion regulation strategies mediated the effect of perceived stress on anxiety (Adjusted R ² = 0.68, F _12,149 = 29.30, p < 0.001, effect ratio = 0.22). Specifically, greater stress was found to be uniquely related to increased use of non-executive strategies (self-blame, rumination, and catastrophizing) and decreased use of cognitive strategies involving executive functions (positive reappraisal and putting into perspective). Greater use of non-executive strategies and reduced use of executive strategies (except for putting into perspective) was in turn found to be associated with higher levels of anxiety. Conclusions: These results seem to suggest that under stressful conditions - precisely when control is most needed - cognitive regulation may be ineffective in controlling emotional responses. Implications for preventing the negative effects of stress are highlighted.